Sefton council has been accused of a lack of transparency over an improvement board set up to steer the transformation of its failing children’s services.
After several dire Ofsted reports detailed “widespread failures” with the borough’s children services, the government appointed a commissioner, Paul Moffat.
Mr Moffat has been tasked with turning around the service, which is responsible for the care and support of some of Sefton ’s most vulnerable children.
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Last week, at a meeting of the borough’s overview and scrutiny committee, councillors discussed the Ofsted report which led to the commissioner being appointed, with the deputy chair of the committee saying it was a “waste of time” for the committee to look back through the report to dissect the failures that had taken place.
Questions were asked around the transparency of an improvement board set up to discuss how to turn the service around.
Last week, at a meeting of Sefton’s full council, the question was raised again. One councillor queried oversight into the activities of what he described as an “ironically named” improvement board.
Deputy leader of Sefton conservatives, councillor Mike Prendergast, made the remark in a question submitted to Sefton council asking why minutes of the improvement board have not been made publicly available.
The question added that not having access to the minutes “makes it difficult for the [overview and scrutiny] committee to review and scrutinise what the improvement board is doing.”
In a written response, Cabinet member for children’s social care, councillor Mhairi Doyle, said the problem with making minutes publicly available arose because this was “not a council meeting” and might contain sensitive information.
Cllr Doyle said in a written reply that there would be representatives from the committee on the improvement board in future, which would “provide accountability and transparency.”
Discussing the question at a meeting of Sefton’s full council held in Southport town hall last Thursday, July 14, councillor Paulette Lappin pointed the finger for the minutes being kept private at the actions of previous Conservative governments.
She told Cllr Prendergast: “This information is exempt as part of a law introduced by the Conservative party in the 90s is about exempting confidential information so councillors are not allowed access to anything to do with info to do with vulnerable children .
“We’re not allowed that information, none of us are and the law says we shouldn’t because it’s exempt.”
A separate question was also asked at the meeting by Liberal democrat deputy leader Cllr Leo Evans. He asked about the process involving the new commissioner for children’s services, Paul Moffat.
Cllr Evans said: “Will he meet with opposition members to discuss issues and if not will the cabinet member encourage him to do so?”
Cllr Mhairi Doyle responded: “It is my understanding Mr Moffat will meet with everyone.”
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