Council leader welcomes Prime Minister's probe into Anna Klonowski report (From Wirral Globe)
Send us news by text, start your message Globe News and your send photos and videos to 80360
Council leader welcomes Prime Minister's probe into Anna Klonowski report
3:20pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Craig Manning
WIRRAL council's beleaguered leader has said he would welcome a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the findings of the Anna Klonowski report.
Cllr Steve Foulkes' invitation came a day after David Cameron promised to look into claims made into the damning report on the council’s social services department.
Wirral West MP Esther McVey had asked the Prime Minister to look into allegations of "violence and intimidation" revealed in the "shocking" report.
During a meeting of Wirral cabinet on Thursday, Cllr Foulkes, who is facing calls to stand down over the fall-out of the report said: "I have no problem talking to David Cameron about the report."
When cabinet met on Thursday, it approved an action plan to help resolve problems arising from the report. A scrutiny committee, chaired by an independent chairman, will be set up to monitor the action plan. “ The Klonowski inquiry looked into the claims of whistleblower Martin Morton, a former Wirral social services employee, who was bullied and forced out of his job after revealing systematic financial abuse of vulnerable people in council care.
The council has since apologised to Mr Morton and says it has set in place a series of changes in how the authority works to deal with the problems highlighted by the report.
Cllr Foulkes continued: “I have been absolutely bible-like in sticking to the report’s recommendations. We have made some progress and told members of staff that we will be more open to criticism.”
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Miss McVey blamed Wirral's ruling Labour administration for the problems.
She asked: "Will the PM as a matter of urgency look into the recent shocking report into allegations of overcharging of vulnerable adults on the Wirral and also claims of violence and intimidation under a Labour-led council, making sure that those responsible are brought to account and never work again in adult social services?"
Mr Cameron agreed, saying that while regulators have a difficult job, better scrutiny is vital. He said: "I will certainly look at the report - it is clearly a very serious matter."
He also promised to pass on the issue to relevant ministers, adding that new regulators are facing difficulties.
Mr Cameron added: "It is really important that inspections are thorough and targeted ... clearly there is a need for this on Merseyside."
Miss McVey said: "We now know that the PM takes this very seriously. I was determined to take this right to the top.
"There is a question of legal action, which makes it difficult to comment further on matters which may be prejudicial. But some of the allegations are horrendous."
The Prime Minister's pledge comes as Wirral council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes fights for his political life following calls from leaders of both opposition groups for him to be ousted over the fall-out from the Anna Klonowski report.
Tory leader Cllr Jeff Green has called for Cllr Foulkes to step down over the way the report has been dealt with.
This has now been followed by a demand from Lib-Dem leader Cllr Tom Harney for Cllr Foulkes "to do the decent thing and resign."
The two groups united in a vote would out-number the Labour administration by 37 to 29.
Cllr Foulkes will face two votes of no confidence when the full council meets on February 13.
Comments(26)
WirralAl
says...
3:55pm Fri 3 Feb 12
PaulCa
says...
4:30pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Yes, that's almost 2 years ago. Needless to say, nothing was done.
Frank Field is involved in a Parliamentary debate on Tuesday 7th Feb, subject "Operation of Wirral Borough Council" between 12:30 and 1:00 pm.
Frank Field knew about all this abuse many years ago, but sat on his hands.
Why?
hugo2008
says...
5:25pm Fri 3 Feb 12
If any one ever brought shame and disgrace on any organisation, this is a classic case, the whole of the labour administration in Wirral Council, have questions to answer.
What a complete and utter shambles Wirral Borough Council, both elected and employed, have made the name of Adult Services the worst in the entire country.
One thing Steve Foulkes has got is skin as thick as a rhino with these remarks.
Spiffy
says...
5:49pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Excellent point Hugo.
...
As the party that introduced a thousand laws to enforce a perverse political correctness that actively enforces discrimination...onl
y ever paying the briefest of lip-service to the some vague notion of "equality"... there is nothing more satisfying than seeing one of their members hoisted on their own petard.
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
7:16pm Fri 3 Feb 12
And sorry to disappoint you, WirralAl, but most of Wirral is simply not interested in this affair. It's only affectionados like us that lose any sleep at night - I bet even the perpetrators are sleeping soundly. I wish it were otherwise, but regrettably it ain't.
Anybody want to enter my sweep about the number of MP's likely to attend the Westminster Hall debate? I say 12 - four from Wirral, the Chair, a few Merseyside MP's, two who've come in for a quiet nap and one who's looking for the bar.
Jimrob
says...
7:51pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Just take your puppet master, Jim Wilkie with you. I'm sure he will get you out of the s**t that he has caused for you.
Bye the way, did I tell you that I also believe in the Tooth Fairy, Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny.
Why oh why do you brainless councillors INSIST on protecting Wilkie?
Do yourself, and Wirral, a favour by spilling the beans about what you know of Wilkies involvement. The sooner Wirral is rid of him, the better.
bigfoot
says...
9:10pm Fri 3 Feb 12
As for FFoulkes-all this spin is making me dizzy
unbeleivable
says...
9:30pm Fri 3 Feb 12
unbeleivable
says...
9:31pm Fri 3 Feb 12
CTS1966
says...
9:54pm Fri 3 Feb 12
PaulCa wrote:Why?
Google "Veridici / Cameron" and go to Blowingthewhistle website; Angela Eagle letter to see a long list of local and national politicians from ALL parties who were informed in detail about this back in March 2010.
Yes, that's almost 2 years ago. Needless to say, nothing was done.
Frank Field is involved in a Parliamentary debate on Tuesday 7th Feb, subject "Operation of Wirral Borough Council" between 12:30 and 1:00 pm.
Frank Field knew about all this abuse many years ago, but sat on his hands.
Why?
Because as I have posted on another thread, it would implicate Mayor Moira McLaughlin who Mr Field has a (very) close relationship with!
unbeleivable
says...
12:03am Sat 4 Feb 12
unbeleivable
says...
12:03am Sat 4 Feb 12
Jimrob
says...
12:31am Sat 4 Feb 12
unbeleivable wrote:No.
Do you have to be a councillor to sit on the social services committee or can a layperson sit, if so how does one apply?
You just need to be deaf, dumb, blind and stupid.
Next question please.
(It doesn't have to be in duplicate this time)
unbeleivable
says...
1:21am Sat 4 Feb 12
bigfoot
says...
12:30pm Sat 4 Feb 12
water1lily
says...
5:10pm Sat 4 Feb 12
.uk/how-it- works.Would just have to ask all our own address book contacts to sign and pass to their contacts etc. Get it out onto twitter and facebook and the skys the limit it's do-able.
water1lily
says...
5:16pm Sat 4 Feb 12
water1lily
says...
5:17pm Sat 4 Feb 12
MX
says...
5:49pm Sat 4 Feb 12
It's the only way - so much more that needs to be uncovered.
Lets see what happens on February 13th and go from there.
Jimrob
says...
9:09pm Sat 4 Feb 12
MX wrote:I could add a horror story about Adult Social Services from my own personal experience of thier charging methods with regard my late Mother.
I understand from press reports that Lib Dem Leader Tom Harney has already sensibly called for a full Public Inquiry. It's the only way - so much more that needs to be uncovered. Lets see what happens on February 13th and go from there.
She was disabled and bed ridden. The social services came out and carried out a "Review" of her care needs. Her condition had considderably deteriorated in the previous 12 months.
Despite this, and without even contacting her GP, they cut her care hours by 75% and at the same time, increased her charges for said care by 45%.
I wrote to Moira (You know who I mean) and Field. As well as the then Director (I wonder what happened to him?)
The SS (as I prefer to call them) admitted to several serious oversights in my Mothers case, but did nothing to alter either hours or charging.
Result???
My Dear Mother lasted 4 months after the changes. She died in September 2009.
Shame on the lot of those responsible, namely, Bob Moon (Scottish), Moira McLaughlin (Judging by the name, presumably Scottish) and dear old Jim Wilkie (Scottish).
Why do I identify thier country of origin?
Mearly because Scotland still has home helps, doesn't charge for the service and looks after it's elderly. These Scott's will, presumably, retire to a country that hasn't had the misfortune to have it's elderly services cut by people like them. Shame on the lot of you.
AndersPanders
says...
9:37pm Sat 4 Feb 12
That's a terrible story from Jimrob , but sadly it doesn't surprise me. This authorities Social Services department is a complete and utter disgrace, manage by self serving, selfish bullies. I would urge staff there to speak out. It's now or never.
PaulCa
says...
10:16pm Sat 4 Feb 12
intimidation of staff;
bullying;
victimisation of complainants;
abuse of power;
minimisation;
obfuscation;
training, rewarding and promotion of stooges and sycophants;
alienation, targetting and destruction of 'troublemakers';
railroading out the door of ill and stressed out staff;
bypassing of disciplinary measures in favour of buying abusers' silence with public money and compromise agreements;
protecting your backside from vindictive attacks through the
manipulation of the facts;
issuing torrents of black propaganda;
muddying of the water;
drip-feeding **** to non-plussed councillors;
councillors with undeclared / declared friends preventing proper scrutiny, ushering in abuse;
Placing phone calls / not taking minutes / making meetings "informal" to circumvent public FoI requests and avoid the risk of creating an auditable trail;
threatening local press with the withdrawal of advertising revenues;
clinging onto power again and again ad infinitum for YET ANOTHER chance to "put things right".
All the above has been the modus operandi for Wirral Borough Council for many many years.
It's all in a day's work for the cowards involved in it - and as long as the same people stave off accountability, manipulate the damning evidence and remain in situ, like it or lump it, this is Wirral's future.
We have to get rid of this broken individual and his pathetic hangers on on 13th February. Councillors, you owe it to the people of Wirral.
More of the same means the borough will be as sure as hell doomed to an inevitable central government intervention along with special measures.
daggers drawn
says...
10:34pm Sat 4 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas wrote:Yep you are spot on. Lets hope that the AK report -and I know she is interested in the feedback is watching this site-but just remember that Green was at the helm as well, and taking instructions on press from spinderella-so this goes a lot deeper than the current leadership-Green only called an 'outsider' in for a report because he knew what was going to come out! Its about time that you started to hang all your heads in shame, and not jump into your Merc fag in hand smug smirk on your face thinking you are safe-Green you are as bad as the others,
Bible-like? What an idiotic thing to say. And Steve - if you're sticking to the report's recommendations, don't forget the recommendations in the supplementary report (remember that?) that referred to how another council in a situation nowhere near as grave as Wirral's had a root branch clear out of senior officers and elected members. I won't hold my breath waiting for your reply, shall I?
Does any of this pray on your mind -does it h*** all you want are the free TRFC perks, you booze paid for and your family enjoying hospitality-its time tou went and did a proper job and left the ones with 'brains' to do a job of leadership. But please save us from gobby blakley that's a bitter pill for all of us!!
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
7:47am Sun 5 Feb 12
His no-confidence call is political opportunism at its best. They don't want power and wouldn't know what to do with it if they got it. The Tories have gone from being a proud group who ran this borough efficiently for the first twenty years of its existence (under Harry Deverill, David Fletcher, John Hale) to a bunch of spivs who would not be out of place at Graham Greene's Brighton racecourse.
Blakeley is, as daggers drawn says, a bitter pill and I for one would prefer cyanide.
unbeleivable
says...
9:11pm Tue 7 Feb 12
Cheesy Peas says...
3:37pm Fri 3 Feb 12
What an idiotic thing to say.
And Steve - if you're sticking to the report's recommendations, don't forget the recommendations in the supplementary report (remember that?) that referred to how another council in a situation nowhere near as grave as Wirral's had a root branch clear out of senior officers and elected members.
I won't hold my breath waiting for your reply, shall I?