The council meeting was held to discuss an opposition motion concerning Secrecy and Failures in Corporate Parenting. Following debate and amendments, the council resolved to reaffirm its commitment to learning from serious incidents involving looked-after young people and to strengthen briefing protocols for all councillors acting as corporate parents.

Secrecy and Failures in Corporate Parenting

The council debated a motion brought by Councillor Peter Zinkin, Leader of the Conservative Group, which called for the resignations of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet. The motion alleged failures in corporate parenting and a lack of transparency regarding the deaths of three care-experienced young people. It also called for an undertaking that all corporate parents be immediately informed of any event involving looked-after young persons that might require an inquest, and that reviews following such inquests would be published and sent to the relevant scrutiny committee.

During the debate, Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb moved an amendment on behalf of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Barry Rawlings. Councillor Mark Shooter also moved an amendment. After discussion, Councillor Shooter's amendment was lost, while Councillor Rawlings' amendment was carried. The motion, as amended by Councillor Rawlings, was then carried by the council.

The amended resolution noted the tragic deaths of three care-experienced young people and expressed sympathies to their families and friends. It reaffirmed the council's commitment to reviewing serious incidents involving children in its care to identify lessons learned and ensure they are tracked and monitored. The council also acknowledged the services provided to children in care and care-experienced young adults, and committed to collaborative improvement with partners.

The council noted the opposition's call for resignations, citing their view that the role of councillors as corporate parents had not been honoured and that there was a failure to submit reviews and inquests to public scrutiny. The council acknowledged that the role of corporate parent is strategic and applies to all councillors, and that Barnet has long-standing arrangements, which go beyond statutory duties, to support councillors in this role. It was noted that while these arrangements had been followed, the current administration believed they could be further strengthened. Cabinet had already agreed proposals to enhance briefing protocols for members.

The council agreed to an undertaking that all corporate parents would be immediately informed of any event involving looked-after young persons that might reasonably be expected to require an inquest. It was also agreed that reviews would always take place following such inquests for all care-experienced young people where the death is not linked to natural causes, and that these reviews would be published, subject to agreement by the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership, and sent to the relevant scrutiny committee for review.

The council further noted that while opposition briefings are not part of long-established protocols for children and young people in care, and had not taken place for previous deaths, the current administration believed that briefing protocols could be strengthened. Cabinet had already agreed proposals to add to these protocols. The council agreed that members should be notified of the date of any inquest in which the London Borough of Barnet is a named party.

During the debate, various councillors spoke about the importance of corporate parenting, the need for transparency, and the lessons learned from the tragic deaths. Councillor David Longstaff highlighted concerns about the lack of information shared with councillors and the perceived secrecy of the administration. Councillor Lucy Wakeley spoke about the challenges of drug misuse among young people in care and the need for cross-party collaboration. Councillor Sue Baker, a former teacher, emphasised the complexity of issues faced by young people with autism and mental health challenges, and the importance of multi-agency working. Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the tragedies and stated that the council had accepted the coroner's findings and was moving forward with improvements. He also defended the council's communication protocols, stating they were consistent with previous administrations. Councillor Peter Zinkin, in his right of reply, expressed outrage at the use of the word sympathy by Labour members instead of an apology and reiterated calls for the resignation of the Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet.

The meeting concluded with a minute's silence to remember the three young people who had lost their lives and the late Councillor John Marshall.