The committee agreed to all of the recommendations made to them, which included adopting a policy to protect staff from violence and agression, becoming a fostering friendly employer, and making two appointments to council scrutiny panels.

Fostering Friendly Employer Motion

The most significant item discussed at the meeting was a proposal to adopt a policy of making Royal Greenwich Council a fostering friendly employer. The Fostering Network is a UK charity which supports foster carers. They run a scheme that accredits employers who provide additional leave or support to employees who foster children. The report considered by the committee claims that children in care cost the council £20,000 more per year if they are placed with a private fostering agency, rather than with a council foster carer. Councillor Florence Duhaney made the case for the proposal, saying:

Essentially, the drive is to increase the number of foster carers that are Greenwich foster carers not using independent fostering agencies which cost approximately 20,000 more per child a year.

Councillor Duhaney argued that the scheme would improve the lives of fostered children in Greenwich while saving the council money.

The committee voted to adopt the policy, and to offer council staff a £250 reward if they successfully refer someone to become a foster carer.

Violence and Aggression Policy

The committee also discussed a new Violence and Aggression Health and Safety Policy Standard. This policy sets out how the council aims to protect its employees from violence and aggression. This follows on from the council's stated commitment to a zero tolerance approach to abuse of its staff.

Councillor Lekau spoke in favour of the policy, saying:

A lot of our members are out there working on their own in quite vulnerable situations, so I do appreciate this.

Scrutiny Panel Appointments

Councillor Aidan Smith was appointed to both the Inclusive Economy and Culture and the Transport and Place Scrutiny Panels. Scrutiny Panels are committees of councillors, who are responsible for examining decisions made by the council.