Opposition leader Peter Zinkin called the lack of information and scrutiny of the incidents “a stain on Barnet’s reputation” reports David Floyd

Hendon Town Hall with (inset left) council leader Barry Rawlings and (inset right) opposition group leader Peter Zinkin

Opposition councillors are calling for an extraordinary meeting of the council and demanding the resignation of the council leader following revelations about the deaths of three young people who had been in the council’s care.

All 19 of the borough’s Conservative group members, including opposition leader Peter Zinkin, have signed a request sent to the Mayor of Barnet for a meeting to address what they describe as a “betrayal of the role of corporate parent” with the council operating under a “toxic culture of secrecy and cover-up”.

The issue came to prominence on Tuesday when a Sky News documentary, Unseen: A Girl Called Nonita became available online. The documentary tells the story of Nonita Grabovskyte, who took her own life in December 2023 having turned 18 earlier that month.

Nonita had become a looked after child in the care of Barnet Council in May 2022 and the documentary highlighted multiple failings in the support provided by the council as she approached the transition from children’s to adult services.

At the inquest into Nonita’s death, the coroner cited an “absence of coordinated transition” as “she approached a dangerous crossroads in her life” as a contributing factor.

Councillors were only informed of Nonita’s death and the council’s role in it shortly before the documentary became available online.

Opposition councillors have subsequently become aware of the deaths of two other care experienced children which they had not been informed of, despite the council’s role as “corporate parent” for looked after children.

In a statement issued this afternoon alongside their request for an extraordinary meeting, the Conservatives call for: “full disclosure of when and how the leader, cabinet member for family friendly Barnet, senior officers and others were informed of the deaths and inquests; publication and scrutiny of the review of two cases that were never shared with councillors; resignations of the leader of the council and the cabinet member for family friendly Barnet; and immediate reforms to ensure all Corporate Parents are informed of serious incidents and that future reviews are published and scrutinised.”

Explaining his group’s reason for taking action, Cllr Zinkin said: “The administration’s refusal to inform councillors, publish reviews or allow scrutiny is a stain on Barnet’s reputation. Corporate parenting is not optional; it is a duty. The veil of secrecy has been torn away by the Sky documentary, and the public deserves answers now.”

As part of their response to the broadcast of the documentary on Wednesday, Barnet Labour group told Barnet Post: “Barnet Council has a ‘Good’ OFSTED rating and part of the learning following Nonita’s tragic death includes ensuring wider elected member awareness at the appropriate time.”

Also responding to the documentary, a council spokesperson told Barnet Post: “The suggestion that Barnet Council has been involved in a “cover up” is strongly refuted and at no point was any concern raised about Barnet Council not having been entirely transparent with all partners, including the Coroner, throughout this process.”

Full responses from both Barnet Labour the council are included here.

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