Numbers on York child protection register reducing

The City of York Council will make a child subject to a Child Protection Plan (sometimes referred to as the child protection register) if an Initial Child Protection Conference of multi-agency professionals finds that the child has suffered and is likely to suffer significant harm.

Such harm could be the result of physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect (definitions from Working Together 2013).

The numbers subject to Child Protection Plans in the City have been;

162 @ March 2012
123 @ March 2013
125 @ March 2014
114 @ September 2014

Indecision grips key York Council decision making meeting

Second Council “Cabinet” meeting postponed

For the second month running the Council’s policy decision making body, the “Cabinet”, will not meet. The meeting was to have taken place on 2^nd December. But now – like the meeting which was to have taken place on 4^th November – it has been cancelled.

It means that no major decisions will have been taken since 7^th October.

The next Cabinet meeting is not due to take place until 6^th January, only a few weeks before the Councils budget has to be drawn up.

Future of empty Guildhall still unclear

The indecision is being blamed on the chaotic state of the Council’s Labour group, which still has the largest number of members. Recently the Council Leader announced his resignation leading to an apparent power vacuum and crippling the decision making process.

Amongst the decisions which were due to be made were the future of the Guildhall. Labour plans a hugely expensive “digital media and arts centre” for the building but it unlikely that the new Council would agreed to the increased levels of borrowing required to fund the project. It is possible that the, relatively new, annex – which comprises mainly modern offices – may now be marketed separately.

Other agenda items, now shelved, include:

An update on progress being made on the Local Plan
Mid year review of progress on the multi million pound capital programme
A similar update on revenue expenditure
Care Bill charging plans
Replacement of Ordnance Lane Homeless Hostel
The future of the Burton Stone Lane Community Centre
Report of the Financial Inclusion Steering Group 2014/15
Rewiring Public Services: Business Cases (Labours service cuts programme)
Award of Discretionary Rate Relief (affects charities and voluntary groups in the City)
Nomination of Lord Mayor for 2015/16
Review of Fees and Charges (e.g. car parking)

Senior Councillors have now had sufficient time (over 6 weeks) to come up with a workable way of making decisions in a balanced (hung) Council.

It had to do so in a similar situation, between 2007 and 2011, when there was little delay in dealing with issues..

It is now vital that all Parties agree to put the welfare of the City ahead of partisan political priorities.