The Mayor informed Members that an update copy of the report had been emailed to Members and a copy had been tabled.

At 7.32pm, Councillor Pothecary called Point of Order, in relation to Chapter 2, Part 2, Paragraph 16(m) to request a short adjournment to seek further clarification of the updated report with the Chief Executive and Officers. The Mayor agreed to adjourn the meeting for 10 minutes. The meeting reconvened at 7.51pm.

Councillor Hebb introduced the report to seek the agreement of Council to approve the Appointment of the interim Director of Children's Services and stated that Roger Harris had demonstrated absolute capability and care and spoke on behalf of all 49 Members that they held Roger Harris with the highest regard and with the highest esteem. Councillor Hebb stated that the Council found themselves in a unique situation where 49 Members had been given less than a 48 hours deadline to appoint a Director of Children’s Services which the Council knew would be vacated some three months ago. The recommendation would see a significant remodelling of services. Councillor Hebb stated the democratic oversight had been nil but in reality there was a need to have a Director of Children’s Services in place by midnight on Sunday. Councillor Hebb explained that elected members did not have the authority or control over appointments and general structures which would be in the remit of the Head of Pay Service in line with the constitution. Those 49 Members had been asked to approve this appointment but not had the time to challenge, provide opinion or examine the contents of the report. That it was the duty of all those 49 Members as Corporate Parents that they were satisfied that the place holder, structure underneath and around were in place to help to deliver what was required and have a duty of care for that person undertaking the role. Councillor Hebb was sure that the above had been considered. The updated report had come about following interactions between Councillor Hebb, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Pothecary, Councillor Spillman, Councillor Okunade and Councillor Little where concerns had been raised. Councillor Hebb stated that an interim Director of Children’s Service could be appointed by Head of Paid Service but more importantly the matter should be called into General Services Committee as soon as possible for a full examination of the structure. Councillor Hebb concluded that Members this evening had to look at the report where cross party comments had been made to ensure safeguard measures were in place and to examine the proposal so that it can go ahead.

Councillor Pothecary stated it was Member’s duty to ask difficult questions. Councillor Pothecary had reservations to have Children’s and Adult Services, Health and Housing under one director and questioned the protection, care and safeguarding of children and adults under this proposal. Councillor Pothecary urged Members to think long and hard to ensure that their decision was the best thing for vulnerable adults and children in care and for those Members that had any concerns on whether this was the right decision should vote against the recommendation.

Councillor Spillman stated he held Roger Harris with the highest regard but asked why the three groups had not had sufficient time to scrutinise the report. With the proposed combination of all the directorates scrutiny was vital to ensure that the layers underneath this major change were in place and to ensure the safeguards were there. Councillor Spillman stated his concern there was no democratic accountability and going forward to ensure that this did not happen again on any upcoming appointments with better communication between groups.

Councillor Okunade wished Rory Patterson well in his retirement. Councillor Okunade reluctantly agreed to support the recommendation as this was where the Council was at this time and that going forward better processes should be put in place. Councillor Okunade had confidence the interim director appointment would comply with the Children’s Act but would be overstretched as one directorate.

Councillor Halden stated that as Portfolio Holder for Education and Health he had not been consulted for his opinions on the report and had expected a General Services Committee to meet. Councillor Halden stated that decisions in the future need to be across party and to strike the right balance where conversations between Members and Officers had to be held to re-align the internal process so that this situation did not happen again.

Councillor Fletcher stated he had nothing against Roger Harris but it was essential the right support and structure were in place to do the job. Councillor Fletcher questioned the lack of consultation and what had been undertaken between the period of receiving Rory Patterson’s resignation to now. Members had a free vote for no right answer to which Councillor Fletcher concluded the decision had been taken out of Members hands.

Councillor Little stated her support to the recommendation as there was a legal obligation by the Council and all 49 Corporate Parents to have a Director of Children’s Services in place by Sunday and comments made would not reflect badly on Roger Harris. Councillor Little stated she had worked with Children in Care for a long time but agreed the process should be looked at differently and a report be presented to the General Services Committee as soon as possible.

Councillor J Kent stated he had known Roger Harris since 2008 and he had fantastic qualities and hoped the report would not damage his reputation. Councillor J Kent stated that lots of questions had arisen as to why Members and even Portfolio Holders were not consulted or asked on the processes of the report. Members were informed that Rory Patterson’s resignation was received in March 2019 and the consultation with key staff was undertaken in May 2019 with discussions taking place with Leaders only two days ago. Councillor J Kent stated this was not acceptable and it had treated Members with contempt. Councillor J Kent stated that the Head of Paid Staff should have been responsible for the appointment of officers and the interview process and stated he was disappointed that Members had been consulted earlier. Councillor J Kent agreed with Councillor Halden that a good authority ran when there was a good partnership between senior Members and senior Officers and stated this partnership was not working in Thurrock at this time and some hard work had to be undertaken to get this back on track. Councillor J Kent stated that he did not believe that appointing a person to the Director of Children’s Services role, even for only 6 months, was good enough for this authority or good enough for the children of Thurrock and would not be supporting the recommendation.

At 8.18pm, Councillor Halden called Point of Order, to confirm that he had known initially about the report but knew that Officer were capable to do their role and a report should have gone to the General Services Committee as reports had always done so in the past.

Councillor Gerrish stated he had struggled to come to any conclusion on the report and had no confidence, however talented that person may be, that there should be one single director of Children, Adults, Housing and Health even for a period of 6 months as it was too much for one person. Councillor Gerrish stated the updated report had the same outcome just a change to the job title. That the process had not given Members options or alternatives. Councillor Gerrish urged Members to think long and hard before making any conclusions.

Councillor Coxshall stated this was the first time in his third term as a Member that he was unsure which way to vote. Councillor Coxshall noted the good points made by Councillors Kent and Gerrish and stated that the process was in place to undertake interviews for internal roles.

Councillor Abbas opposed to the recommendation so that a clear message could be sent that Members would not be put on at the eleventh hour.

Councillor Hebb stated this was a low point for the Council. The points made by Councillors were clear and professional and called the report to the vote.

The Mayor called a vote on the recommendation to which Members voted:

For: 15, Against: 26, Abstained: 0

Whereupon the Mayor declared the Motion not carried.

RESOLVED:

Members did not approve in accordance with the Council’s Constitution the appointment of Roger Harris as interim Director of Children’s Services for six months pending the presentation of a report to General Services Committee to consider options for the future of this role.

Roger Harris entered the council chamber at 8.27pm.