Kingston RLBC has been reported to data watchdogs for failing to respond to key information requests regarding children's safeguarding - it has emerged.

Members from Kingston and Surbiton's constituency Labour party, which has no council representation, have written to the Information Commissioner's Office, complaining the council is obstructing Freedom of Information enquiries seeking to unearth the aftermath of children's services management after a damning report by regulators Ofsted last July exposed ‘inadequate' safeguarding practices.

Subsequently, the borough relinquished sole control of its children's services and neighbouring Richmond LBC's director of children's services, Nick Whitfield, became interim children's director.  Mr Whitfield will soon take control of a company jointly owned by the authorities to oversee and manage children's services.

But chair of Kingston Labour, Laurie Smith, complained the council has failed to disclose how executive members agreed the terms of a payoff worth £128,655 made to former head of children's services Duncan Clark or whether lead member for children's services, Cllr Patricia Bamford has yet taken the training required by the Ofsted improvement notice.

Mr Smith told The MJ: ‘This is a deliberate attempt to try and hide what is going on.  This is not acceptable.'

In response, Kingston leader Cllr Derek Osbourne said: ‘We have had a humungous amount of requests for information from interested, parties - quite naturally as it's an item of controversy.'

‘We're not trying to hide anything,' added Cllr Osbourne.  ‘What we're attempting to do is get the fullest response, particularly on those areas where we might need to take legal action – there's been a delay in that.'

He said he council intends to answer fully, but that anything relating to the departure of the previous children's director is sensitive.