Elected members in Sefton could have been "letting children down" as the borough's children's service failed to improve - according to one councillor.
The comments were made during a discussion of a report produced by government-appointed commissioner Paul Moffat after he carried out a review of Sefton Council's troubled children's service over the summer.
At a meeting of Sefton Council's overview and scrutiny committee last night, councillors met to discuss the report, the council's improvement plan and where things are now for the beleaguered service.
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Sefton Children's services received the worst possible Ofsted rating of "inadequate" earlier this year, which prompted the appointment of Mr Moffat to conduct the review into what went wrong and what the next steps should be.
Mr Moffat stopped short of recommending Sefton Council be forced to relinquish control of the service. Instead, a new commissioner will be appointed "indefinitely" to oversee changes.
Executive director for children's social care and education, Martin Birch, said the report was "not as bad as I would have expected given the circumstances and timing of the review."
He said that with the review having been carried out mostly before August "it's a bit out of date" - adding that many of the issues raised have been or are now "in the process of being addressed."
The report stated how the council "lost sight of their responsibilities" amid "serious and systemic failings."
While Sefton Council's "speedy response" following the Ofsted report was commended, the commissioner detailed ongoing problems with the service, including around a "culture of non-compliance" and deteriorating special education need (SEND) provision.
Mr Birch said: "There is nothing in that I'm surprised by and nothing we're not dealing with as I speak" adding that it was likely a new commissioner could be announced within the next week.
Liberal democrat Cllr Leo Evans said the report "makes for some difficult reading."
Addressing Mr Birch, Cllr Evans said: "The commissioner clearly had faith in yourself and the leadership team put in place and it was a very reassuring thing to keep reading again and again.
"However, there was also a lot about culture and long term culture problems. This is persistent over several years, the type of thing on the committee we've been discussing time and time again and I've asked before is there a culture problem and was told 'no'"
Discussing the deterioration of SEND services, Mr Birch said: "It is fair to say that decline has been going on for some time."
He said measures put in place have included taking on an extra assistant director, restructuring the service and moving social workers across from other teams. Mr Birch added: "It's not been where it should be, we're aware of that and have started to move things forward."
One of the recommendations made by Mr Moffat was to "refresh" and restructure a recently set up improvement board -which is overseeing the measures taken to improve the service.
Cllr Paula Murphy said as this was not to be overseen by the committee, "has the commissioner not got confidence in us at this stage?"
Mr Birch said the main issue with the improvement board was around there being too many people invited to take part. When asked by vice chair, Cllr Paula Spencer who put people in place and what changes would take place, Mr Birch said: "The membership was set up before I came."
He added: "It would have been done in conjunction with the chief executive, council members, I'm assuming the leader and other agencies, who would have been contacted in terms of who they would send."
Councillor Judy Hardman said: "I get the impression that there is the suggestion that we are as elected members not adequately discharging our duties.
"There are statements in this report like that there needs to be a demonstration of key evidence of political ownership. There is a sense that we as elected members are letting the children down.
"I wonder what steps are being taken to ensure elected members are playing more of a part in properly scrutinising and supporting they work you are doing?"
Mr Birch referred to the possibility of additional training requirements but added: "In terms of elected members my perspective is you do hold us to account."
Cllr Hardman asked: "So what's he on about?"
Mr Birch asked the cabinet member for education, Cllr Diane Roscoe, if she wanted to comment and Cllr Roscoe said: "In terms of timescales I was interviewed by the commissioner at the end of June, which gives you an indication."
She added it was her understanding the criticism around scrutiny and involvement referred to the corporate parenting board - which oversees decision relating to looked after children.
Cllr Roscoe said: "In particular I think he was talking about the opposition, who didn't attend from when it was set up in 2017."
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