The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Tuesday 18 June 2024 saw the re-establishment of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and the confirmation of its terms of reference, along with the appointment of councillors to this committee and the Community Safety Partnership. The meeting also noted the terms of reference for the Community Safety Partnership.

Establishment of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and Appointment of Cabinet Members to Committees and Partnerships 2024/25

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Peray Ahmet, considered a report concerning the re-establishment of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee. This committee will oversee the council's statutory role as a corporate parent, ensuring its duties to children in care and care leavers are met. The terms of reference for this committee were noted, and councillors were appointed to serve on it.

Additionally, the terms of reference for the Community Safety Partnership were confirmed, and Cabinet Members were appointed to this statutory body. This partnership provides high-level, accountable, strategic oversight of community safety issues.

The decision to re-establish the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee was made to ensure a dedicated forum for discussing the wellbeing of children in care and to uphold the council's corporate parenting obligations. This committee differs from the Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel as it focuses specifically on looked-after children and care leavers, reporting directly to the Cabinet.

The alternative to establishing this committee would have been its cessation, removing a scheduled opportunity for members and officers to discuss these critical issues. The appointment of Cabinet Members to the Community Safety Partnership was deemed essential as it is a statutory partnership body.

The following members were appointed to the committees:

• Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee:

  • Chair: Councillor Brabazon (Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, and Families)
  • Councillor Ali
  • Councillor Collett
  • Councillor Johnson
  • Councillor Opoku
  • Councillor Weston
  • Councillor Isilar-Gosling

• Community Safety Partnership:

  • Cabinet Member for Communities (as Co-Chair)
  • Cabinet Member for Children, Schools, & Families
  • Councillor da Costa