Agenda item

This Council formally recognises the publication of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Child Safeguarding Practice Review - “Ruby” (www.leedsscp.org.uk/ruby).

Council believes there should be no circumstances in which convicted child sex offenders are given custody of a child and calls on the Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships to bring an urgent report to Executive Board setting out what actions the Council can take to help ensure no child in Leeds is placed into the care of a convicted child sex offender again. 

Prior to the moving of the Motion the City Solicitor provided legal advice and guidance to Members in terms of their contributions to this debate. 

It was moved by Councillor Stephenson, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter that  this Council formally recognises the publication of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Child Safeguarding Practice Review - “Ruby” (www.leedsscp.org.uk/ruby).

Council believes there should be no circumstances in which convicted child sex offenders are given custody of a child and calls on the Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships to bring an urgent report to Executive Board setting out what actions the Council can take to help ensure no child in Leeds is placed into the care of a convicted child sex offender again. 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dobson, seconded by Councillor Field

Insert after the last paragraph:

“Council notes the findings of the 2014 independent enquiry into child sex exploitation in Rotherham and believes openness and transparency is critical for both independent and democratic scrutiny of children’s safeguarding.  Council has valued the role of the Independent Chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and commits to continuing the current model of independent oversight.”

The motion will read:

“This Council formally recognises the publication of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Child Safeguarding Practice Review - “Ruby” (www.leedsscp.org.uk/ruby).

Council believes there should be no circumstances in which convicted child sex offenders are given custody of a child and calls on the Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships to bring an urgent report to Executive Board setting out what actions the Council can take to help ensure no child in Leeds is placed into the care of a convicted child sex offender again. 

Council notes the findings of the 2014 independent enquiry into child sex exploitation in Rotherham and believes openness and transparency is critical for both independent and democratic scrutiny of children’s safeguarding.  Council has valued the role of the Independent Chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and commits to continuing the current model of independent oversight.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Dobson was declared carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council formally recognises the publication of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Child Safeguarding Practice Review - “Ruby” (www.leedsscp.org.uk/ruby).

Council believes there should be no circumstances in which convicted child sex offenders are given custody of a child and calls on the Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships to bring an urgent report to Executive Board setting out what actions the Council can take to help ensure no child in Leeds is placed into the care of a convicted child sex offender again. 

Council notes the findings of the 2014 independent enquiry into child sex exploitation in Rotherham and believes openness and transparency is critical for both independent and democratic scrutiny of children’s safeguarding.  Council has valued the role of the Independent Chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Children’s Partnership and commits to continuing the current model of independent oversight.