Councillor called 'misguided' in a very public spat

It follows children in care decision being 'called-in'

- Phil Corrigan

A SENIOR Reform UK councillor says a cabinet colleague was 'misguided' to call in one of his decisions.

Thirteen members of the ruling Reform group on Staffordshire County Council formally called for a rethink on a decision relating to children who go missing from care.

They included three members of the cabinet and two cabinet support members - meaning it was a very public disagreement.

Councillor Nicholas Lakin, right, cabinet member for children and young people, made the delegated decision to stop funding return home interviews (RHIs) for children in the care of other authorities who go missing after being placed in Staffordshire.

Authorities are only legally required to carry out RHIs for children in their own care - and Cllr Lakin said the decision will allow the council to divert resources towards meeting its statutory duties.

But Cllr Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety, disagreed with the decision, saying the council would be less able to tackle the risks facing vulnerable children if it does not conduct the RHIs.