New confidential records scandal opens as Council fails again to secure files

1.12.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd May 2008

Haringey Liberal Democrats have questioned the lessons learnt from Haringey Council's full investigation into abandoned confidential files. It has been revealed that more confidential records, which had been requested by Lib Dems to be removed, still remained in a Crouch End housing estate. Last year, Cllr Lyn Weber requested that the files dumped in a community room in the Colwick Estate were immediately cleared and personal records secured however, after an estate visit this week, the files were still present. Liberal Democrats have criticised the Council for once again failing to secure residents' personal files and have demanded a review of the independent investigation.

Following the revelation in February that thousands of housing benefit files showing personal records had been abandoned in an ex-Council office in Crouch End the Council were forced to apologise, write to all residents concerned and promised it would not happen again. Furthermore in response to a Lib Dem question, Labour Cllr Charles Adje, confirmed that a search of all Council properties had been made. He also promised that instructions had been given to ensure that a proper procedure was in place when the Council vacated or took over premises to ensure confidential information was secured.

Cllr Lyn Weber (Crouch End) comments:

"I am flabbergasted that no action took place until residents and Liberal Democrats highlighted the issue - the Council seem to have not learnt from their past mistakes. I asked the Council to investigate more than once but still the confidential records were left in the community room. This estate was run by a co-operative but was returned to Haringey some time ago. It is very disappointing that Haringey still do not understand that files such as these should be investigated and disposed of or stored in more appropriate circumstances."

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Lib Dem Leader, adds:

"Local residents and councillors had been given assurances by Labour Haringey that they took seriously breaches in individuals' confidentiality. Yet for more than twelve months they did nothing about these files. It has taken a direct approach by Liberal Democrats to the Chief Executive for something to be done and for the files to be taken into proper Council control. How can residents believe what Labour tell them?"

Notes:

Comment made by Cllr Charles Adje on 31st March 2008 in response to an question by Cllr Rachel Allison - "…I can confirm that we have carried out work on all Council premises and instructions have been given to officers to ensure that there is a proper process in place either when you vacate or when you move in…" (Webcast of Full council meeting 31/3/08

http://www.haringey.ukcouncil.net/site/webcasts.php#pp9279)

Comments from the Leader of the Council after a Liberal Democrat emergency motion on the dumped files incident in February 2008 -

http://www.haringey.ukcouncil.net/site/webcasts.php#pp12652 - Time 29.06

Timeline of events

April 2007 - Cllr Weber reported the confidential files and requested for them to be removed and secured.

10th April 2007 - The Council responded to say that they will investigate ownership of records.

Sept 2007 - Council had still not carried investigation to establish ownership of records. Second request made by Cllr Weber for confirmation of actions by the Council and whether records should be secured by property services.

20th May 2008 - estate visit by Cllr Weber - same files remain in community room.

21st May 2008 - following correspondence from Cllr Gorrie to the Chief Executive of Haringey Council the files were removed.