New Haringey leader seeks more cash for child services

THE new leader of Haringey Council was due to meet Children's Secretary Ed Balls today "cap in hand" to appeal for more money to improve child protection services in the borough.

Labour councillor Claire Kover was elected leader of Haringey Council earlier this month - replacing Cllr George Meehan, who stepped down in the wake of the damning report into the death of Baby P.

She said funds were needed to effect "a complete transformation" of social services in the area.

She told a meeting of the full council that she wanted Haringey to become an "exemplar" in the area of social services and child protection. But she said that it would "require fundamental change and funds".

Council sources said the amount of money asked for could be "many millions of pounds".

A source told the Standard: "It will cost a fortune - it's going to be many millions. After everything Ed Balls has said, he has not said he will provide extra resources. They are going cap in hand for money. It is going to be very hard to recruit the best social workers."