Statement – Serious Case Review, June 2009
Councillor John Merry, leader of Salford City Council said: “The death of any child is a dreadful thing to happen and my heartfelt sympathies are with the family.
“I was anxious that this serious case review was robust enough to draw out where we could do better. I am satisfied it does that, highlighting a number of child protection concerns.
“I do not want to make excuses: it is rightly critical and we should all have done better, but the report’s sad conclusion is that this tragedy could not have been foreseen and it could not have been prevented.
“Child protection in Salford has been under intense scrutiny for a number of months and I am confident that the city council’s service today is significantly better than it was when Ofsted delivered its judgment in December 2007.
“We have improved our processes and made changes to our structures as part of a major programme of change and the issues highlighted in the serious case review were already being addressed in that programme.
“We are a year on from these terrible events and we have had a year of improvements. The city council’s safeguarding team has so far delivered all that has been asked of it by this improvement programme and by Ofsted. Making that change has involved a great deal of hard work and commitment.
“Any professional in the field of child protection absolutely understands the importance of what they do. They have chosen to carry out an incredibly difficult and demanding role which places immense responsibility on their shoulders.
“There will always be improvements that can be made to any service and this is even more important in child protection. I can reassure our residents that I will do everything I need to to ensure that children are safe in Salford.”
Friday, 26 June 2009
Saturday, 13 June 2009
JEWISH TELEGRAPH
Felt I had to publish this opinion column from the Jewish Telegraph.
Bad dream comes true
BNP leader Nick Griffin must still be pinching himself as he comes to terms with the fact that he is now a member of the European Parliament. Not only that but that his colleague Andrew Brons, a man with a criminal record, also gained a seat, representing Humberside. Griffin, of course, would have us believe that he is a changed man; that his own conviction in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for publishing material denying the Holocaust was all the result of a big mistake - someone had shown him figures which downplayed the scale of the genocide.
He does, however, confess that there are BNP members who still hold antisemitic views. We wonder if he is referring to Brons who, in 1984, was arrested as a member of the National Front for marching through the streets of Leeds chanting "white power" and "death to Jews". This polished gentleman, as a 17-year-old, also signed up for the National Socialist Movement whose members were responsible for an arson campaign against Jewish property and synagogues at that time.
Griffin insists that Jews are welcome to join the BNP - presumably as long as they espouse the party's doctrine entirely, which would include barring Israelis or Jews from any other part of the world wishing to settle in this country.
It is not just Griffin who must still be in a state of disbelief at the naivete of the British electorate, but those voters who understand the reality of returning people like Griffin and and Brons. People like Holocaust survivors who have seen it all before; the knee-jerk reaction to apparent nationalists who blame all the economic ills of a nation on a minority of the population. The name Hitler continually comes to mind.
Those who believe it could not happen here need look no further than the European election results here and in Hungary - and think again. We are perhaps less than 12 months from a General Election. The BNP will be buoyed by its success and is certain to field as many candidates as it can in the belief that it can achieve a real voice at Westminster. The Euro election turnout was poor, allowing the BNP to gain seats by default. It must not happen again.
Bad dream comes true
BNP leader Nick Griffin must still be pinching himself as he comes to terms with the fact that he is now a member of the European Parliament. Not only that but that his colleague Andrew Brons, a man with a criminal record, also gained a seat, representing Humberside. Griffin, of course, would have us believe that he is a changed man; that his own conviction in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for publishing material denying the Holocaust was all the result of a big mistake - someone had shown him figures which downplayed the scale of the genocide.
He does, however, confess that there are BNP members who still hold antisemitic views. We wonder if he is referring to Brons who, in 1984, was arrested as a member of the National Front for marching through the streets of Leeds chanting "white power" and "death to Jews". This polished gentleman, as a 17-year-old, also signed up for the National Socialist Movement whose members were responsible for an arson campaign against Jewish property and synagogues at that time.
Griffin insists that Jews are welcome to join the BNP - presumably as long as they espouse the party's doctrine entirely, which would include barring Israelis or Jews from any other part of the world wishing to settle in this country.
It is not just Griffin who must still be in a state of disbelief at the naivete of the British electorate, but those voters who understand the reality of returning people like Griffin and and Brons. People like Holocaust survivors who have seen it all before; the knee-jerk reaction to apparent nationalists who blame all the economic ills of a nation on a minority of the population. The name Hitler continually comes to mind.
Those who believe it could not happen here need look no further than the European election results here and in Hungary - and think again. We are perhaps less than 12 months from a General Election. The BNP will be buoyed by its success and is certain to field as many candidates as it can in the belief that it can achieve a real voice at Westminster. The Euro election turnout was poor, allowing the BNP to gain seats by default. It must not happen again.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
What a week!
I take my hat off to people who can keep a regular daily blog going, I just can't find the time. Twittering's easy from your phone, on the move.
Anyway what a week, a very good, at times heated debate at Labour Group on Monday re the MPs allowances disgrace, after which we issued a position statement www.salfordlabour.org.uk
It is now up to the individual Constituency Labour Parties to decide what action they should take against their MP; as should other organisations of the other two mainstream political parties.
It saddens and upsets me, the long term damage that has been done to democracy and politics in this country, it will take a generation to recover and to gain people's trust in politics and more so politicians, local and national.
I expect to receive some stick as a community leader and lead member at some of the hard, emotive decisions I have to take, but some of the e-mails and phone calls I have had this week have been vicious and venomous in relation to the MPs. I totally understand as I'm contactable and people are angry and want to have a go at somebody and let off steam.
I like all my colleagues, of all parties on Salford Council became a councillor to put back something into the city we passionately care for and up the quality of life for the people of Salford. What has been done by MPs of all parties is unacceptable and has damaged us all. Something needs to be done and done quickly.
Finally congratulations, firstly to Cllr Roger Lightup who has been installed as the Mayor of Salford, I hope he has a great year and raises lots of money for his chosen charities.Secondly to Matt Mold who won the Irwell Riverside by-election for the Labour Party, I'm sure he will be a hard working replacement for my old mate Jimmy Hulmes.
Anyway what a week, a very good, at times heated debate at Labour Group on Monday re the MPs allowances disgrace, after which we issued a position statement www.salfordlabour.org.uk
It is now up to the individual Constituency Labour Parties to decide what action they should take against their MP; as should other organisations of the other two mainstream political parties.
It saddens and upsets me, the long term damage that has been done to democracy and politics in this country, it will take a generation to recover and to gain people's trust in politics and more so politicians, local and national.
I expect to receive some stick as a community leader and lead member at some of the hard, emotive decisions I have to take, but some of the e-mails and phone calls I have had this week have been vicious and venomous in relation to the MPs. I totally understand as I'm contactable and people are angry and want to have a go at somebody and let off steam.
I like all my colleagues, of all parties on Salford Council became a councillor to put back something into the city we passionately care for and up the quality of life for the people of Salford. What has been done by MPs of all parties is unacceptable and has damaged us all. Something needs to be done and done quickly.
Finally congratulations, firstly to Cllr Roger Lightup who has been installed as the Mayor of Salford, I hope he has a great year and raises lots of money for his chosen charities.Secondly to Matt Mold who won the Irwell Riverside by-election for the Labour Party, I'm sure he will be a hard working replacement for my old mate Jimmy Hulmes.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
SALIX HOMES
Had an excellent meeting this afternoon with Colin Mannion to discuss the caretaking review, workman's toilet's and general issues.
Colin gave me a very detailed insight into the thinking behind it all and reassured me that lots of consultation was going on(and proved it). He promised to meet with those tenants who are upset about the workman's toilet issue, and promised to attend a Forum meeting to discuss with its members.
I felt a lot happier after the meeting. I still have concerns about no physical presence in the area for tenants and that some of the officers are not keeping elected members up to date, as they should(I believe some are scared of meeting with us,which is ridiculous).
I've always had good relationships with area managers and housing staff in the past and worked well together for the benefit of the community, but for now that seems to have stopped. Perhaps it's my suspicious mind,but maybe somebody has told them to!
Colin gave me a very detailed insight into the thinking behind it all and reassured me that lots of consultation was going on(and proved it). He promised to meet with those tenants who are upset about the workman's toilet issue, and promised to attend a Forum meeting to discuss with its members.
I felt a lot happier after the meeting. I still have concerns about no physical presence in the area for tenants and that some of the officers are not keeping elected members up to date, as they should(I believe some are scared of meeting with us,which is ridiculous).
I've always had good relationships with area managers and housing staff in the past and worked well together for the benefit of the community, but for now that seems to have stopped. Perhaps it's my suspicious mind,but maybe somebody has told them to!
Friday, 20 March 2009
BUILLE HILL HIGH SCHOOL
It was great being able to spend the morning at Buille Hill's Democracy Day. Explaining how the Council worked and all about elections.
The young people, many from Langworthy Ward were toally engaged and asked some fantastic probing questions. They also had a debate on lowering the voting age to 16, which the majority voted in favour of.
Vin Joseph from Democratic Services was also in attendance and gave the officers point of view on procedure etc.
A very worthwhile exercise.
The young people, many from Langworthy Ward were toally engaged and asked some fantastic probing questions. They also had a debate on lowering the voting age to 16, which the majority voted in favour of.
Vin Joseph from Democratic Services was also in attendance and gave the officers point of view on procedure etc.
A very worthwhile exercise.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
SALIX HOMES
I am getting really frustrated with Salix Homes. They have upset residents on Salford precinct by trying to open work men's toilets on all blocks. No consultation with ward councillors or residents.
There is no face to face contact in the area now the office is closed. People, including members are getting very disillusioned with them. The sooner the PFI is sorted out and somebody else is managing the properties in Langworthy Ward the better.
There is no face to face contact in the area now the office is closed. People, including members are getting very disillusioned with them. The sooner the PFI is sorted out and somebody else is managing the properties in Langworthy Ward the better.
Friday, 27 February 2009
UNBELIEVABLE.
I can't believe what I've just read in this weeks Salford Advertiser in Cllr.Owen's columns. The nerve of the man, blaming everybody except his own party,who were responsible for the ameteur shambolic performance during the budget debate at last weeks council.
It was obvious he and his party didn't understand the council protocol, because we had to adjourn so officers could help them with their ammendment.
It's no wonder his group tried to oust him as their leader last time, he's become a bit of an embarresment to them, particularly when he hangs on to the coat tails of the Tories. The Lib Dems really have become the rump of the Tory Party in Salford.
It was obvious he and his party didn't understand the council protocol, because we had to adjourn so officers could help them with their ammendment.
It's no wonder his group tried to oust him as their leader last time, he's become a bit of an embarresment to them, particularly when he hangs on to the coat tails of the Tories. The Lib Dems really have become the rump of the Tory Party in Salford.
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