Minutes:
(1) A member of the public asked do Councillors consider that it was a good idea to install cycle lanes in Rotherham which were continually and legally obstructed by a significant number of cars?”
The Leader reported that the purpose of the advisory marking was to give guidance, particularly to car drivers about the space required by cyclists. It was not unlawful for vehicles to park in the advisory lane unless there were restrictions and guidance did suggest that such markings should primarily be used where parking was restricted. It was known that some parking did take place in some advisory cycle lanes, but even so it was believed that on balance the advisory marking was beneficial to cyclists (and other road users) and, therefore, it did encourage more people to cycle rather than drive. This also contributed to improving air quality and reducing congestion.
In a supplementary question, the member of the public confirmed he was aware of the different types of cycle lanes and the advisory guidelines for their imposition, but asked if the Council thought it was a good idea to install the cycle lanes in the first place?
The Leader reported that he did consider it a good idea for the installation of the cycle lanes even though the parking of cars within them was not enforceable.
(2) A member of the public asked what actions were believed to be required to restore public confidence in Child Protection Services locally following Andrew Norfolk’s article in The Times of 24th September, 2012?
The Leader reported that the public should take reassurance that in the last three major external safeguarding inspections since 2009, Children and Young People’s Services have been found by Ofsted to no longer require intervention and have indeed made significant improvements, Inspectors particularly commented on the positive work being engaged in jointly with the Police in respect of Child Sexual Exploitation.
To offer further reassurance, a position statement would be made available following this Council meeting that set out what the work of the Child Sexual Exploitation team covered, a chronology of all the sexual exploitation operations and other key milestones since 1997. Two conferences have been held in Rotherham, one in 2006 and the other in 2011 on sexual exploitation and the learning from the Operation Central activity. The conference in 2011 had over 500 delegates. Reassurance should also be taken from the fact that the Child S. serious case review was externally evaluated by Ofsted (and graded outstanding) and found to have an appropriate action plan arising from the serious case review. The scrutiny function recently held a session on this action plan, progress made and the impact from the actions and the sexual exploitation staff team have been co-located with the Police Public Protection Unit to improve joint working and response to tackling child sexual exploitation.
There would be awareness raising on how to spot child sexual exploitation in a campaign delivered in partnership with the Rotherham Advertiser. This would compliment work done with the Contact and Referral Team (CART) on screening for sexual exploitation. A worker from the Child Sexual Exploitation team would be based with CART to assist with this process. The Advertiser was also keen to showcase the work being undertaken in schools to educate young people on keeping safe, particularly from sexual exploitation.
Elected Members would be undertaking multi-agency training on how to recognise sexual exploitation and a further conference would be hosted at Magna on sexual exploitation with key note speakers who were experts on this issue. This would be held in the New Year.
Finally the Safeguarding Children Board and Council websites were to be updated to raise awareness on child sexual exploitation and what to do if anyone was concerned in any way.
Councillor Lakin also provided information about the changes to the OFSTED inspection regime which had seen some “Good” Councils’ ratings drop to “Adequate”.
From the inspections the services and commitments within Children and Young People’s Services had improved and the successful social worker approach to both child sexual exploitation and the basing of some social workers into the Police Protection Unit had helped to support and streamline the service.
Additional training sessions had also now been agreed for all Members.
In a supplementary question the member of the public asked why there had not been a call for a national enquiry similar to the “Stephen Lawrence” case into child sexual exploitation following similar incidents in Plymouth, Derby and Reading and with the recent press about a Jimmy Savile?
The Leader pointed out that the Prime Minister had not called for a national enquiry and this was supported.