Ahead of what is likely to be another controversial renewal of Oldham Metropolitan Borough’s Full Council next week, the Agenda was published this morning.
Tucked away, near the bottom and under the section headed ‘Actions from Council – 12th July 2023’, was probably the most interesting item. Not least, as the bare words of what was finally passed, as this motion, cannot do justice to the disruption and heated debate that preceded the vote carrying it (read more here):
Administration Motion 1 – Oldham Assurance Review – Final Stage
Resolved:
1. That the Chief Executive writes to the Home Office to request:
a. That they accept each of the 20 recommendations made by the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, and that a plan for implementing each of the recommendations in the current parliament is secured.
b. That following the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (CSE) led by Professor Alexis Jay, and Oldham Assurance review into historic safeguarding practices in Oldham, the government will support the final stage assurance review announced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the terms of reference of which will include current operational practice across key agencies.
2. That the Chief Executive writes to the borough Members of Parliament to request:
a. That they make representations to the Home Office supporting the Council’s request for the government to accept each of the 20 recommendations made by the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, and that a plan for implementing each of the recommendations in the current parliament is secured.
3. [Paragraph 3 is missing from the narrative]
4. That the Council develop and adopt a Victims and Survivors Charter in consultation with victim and survivor groups outlining the rights and support which will be provided to those affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation, and the requirements placed on officials in administering and investigating reports of abuse, and to secure its adoption by all relevant statutory authorities.
5. That the Council support further work to raise public awareness among young people in all relevant settings, and with the general public to support prevention, early identification of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and to promote the greater reporting of safeguarding concerns.
6. That the Council develop and adopt a mandatory duty to report safeguarding concerns, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, to be enshrined in the Code of Conduct for elected members, and consult on the duty for officials employed by Oldham Council.
7. That Oldham Council will fully support any further investigations that are brought forward into pre-existing cases of child sexual exploitation.
8. That the Chief Executive be requested to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester in his capacity as Police and Crime Commissioner overseeing Greater Manchester Police to request:
a. Support in the development of a Victims and Survivors Charter, outlining the rights and support which will be provided to those affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation, and the requirements of officials in administering and investigating reports of abuse, and it’s adoption by all relevant statutory authorities.
9. That an update on Operation Sherwood be provided to the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board.
Nevertheless, few can argue with the final composition of the motion, but many will feel let down by what has followed.
As directed, the Council’s chief executive wrote to the named parties on 19th July, 2023. That is to say, the Home Secretary, the three MPs and the Mayor to seek commitments or assurances on what are hugely important public interest issues in Oldham and over which the Borough has earned an unenviable reputation for opacity over the past several years.
This is what is noted in the margins, 41 days after the letters were sent:
“Awaiting a reply from the Home Secretary, the three MP’s and the Mayor of Greater Manchester”.
There is no mention of follow-up letters from Harry Catherall, the soon to depart chief executive, chasing down replies from stakeholders who really should be doing much better in helping to restore Oldham’s much-tarnished standing on CSE matters.
A press request, made a short time ago, asks whether any further letters were actually sent and, if so, upon what date. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj Shah (pictured above) has been asked if she will be updating Members at the meeting on 7th September, 2023 on progress relating to other Motion items, such as the Operation Sherwood update from Greater Manchester Police and whether any further historic cases of alleged child sexual exploitation have emerged since the last meeting.
A steer on the missing paragraph 3 has also been requested.
UPDATE: OMBC acknowledged the press request promptly but a substantive response is still awaited. The ‘missing’ paragraph was a result of mis-numbering, they say, and that part of the Agenda will be corrected.
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Page last updated: Wednesday 30th August, 2023 at 18h15
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