Stockwood Conservative Councillor Graham Morris is pleased that a long delayed independent investigation into the use of social media monitoring of parents involved in SEND campaigning has finally been given the go-ahead.
The move follows years of pressure for an external inquiry to take place into the circumstances and decision-making which took place over the alleged ‘surveillance’ of certain individuals by council officers. This practice first came to light under the previous Labour Administration back in July 2022.
In response to the controversy, Cllr Morris tabled a golden motion (approved by Full Council in October 2022), which asked Mayor Marvin Rees to involve an outside body to establish the ‘facts, faults and failings’ behind such an intrusive ‘data harvesting’ exercise.
Unfortunately, Council resolutions are not binding and the Labour Cabinet at that time chose not to take forward any work on the issue.
Now, Members of the Children & Young People’s Policy Committee have voted unanimously at their last meeting (held on Thursday, 28th August) in favour of commissioning an authoritative review with the precise terms of reference still to be determined.
Cllr Morris (Stockwood) said: “I am very pleased by this decision and that parents and families affected by this scandalous bureaucratic overreach will finally get unbiased answers as to where responsibility lies for what took place.
“This is a necessary step to help rebuild public trust and transparency in our SEND provision and to improve upon how the Authority treats all of its partners and stakeholders in this Service.
“I am willing to accept there has been a genuine culture change within the department, assisted by a new Director and greater oversight provided by a Committee system, but, of course, there is always room for improvement.
“It is important to be able to put past problems behind us, encourage more collaborative working with parents and to avoid getting the needs of vulnerable children sidelined by possible political sensitivities.
“Furthermore, one can but hope that former leading Labour politicians and appointees will be willing to cooperate and contribute fully to this important review.
“Whilst I understand that they are under no legal obligation to do so, their voluntary participation can only enhance this whole process.”
