Council leader slams 'despicable conduct' at fiery meeting

Oldham Council Leader Councillor Amanda Chadderton will host a cross-party meeting this week in a bid to work out the best way to 'improve our safeguarding responsibilities' in the wake of the recent Child Sexual Exploitation review.

The move follows another fiery town hall meeting last week when calls by opposition councillors for a government-led public inquiry into CSE in Oldham were defeated.

Cllr Chadderton took to social media yesterday to outline her plans, while also admitting that 'Oldhamers deserve better than this from their Council'.

Cllr Chadderton's post on the I love Oldham Facebook page read: "Last week we saw ugly scenes in the Council chamber, with despicable conduct from some of our elected members and also from a small number of people in the public gallery.

"I believe Oldhamers deserve better than this from their Council and from the democratic process.

"I also believe that most people will want to know what we are doing to tackle child sexual exploitation in the borough, which unfortunately some members seem to have lost sight of, amid their desire to put on a political punch and judy show.

"After the release of the independent Review into historic CSE at the end of last month, we started to roll out our new victims’ strategy in collaboration with Greater Manchester Police; working alongside victim support, the sexual assault referral centre (SARC) and mental health services.

"Part of this strategy has involved launching a new helpline for anyone affected by issues raised in the Review, signposting to a range of support.

"The Council will also be providing funding through an appropriate support organisation to provide advocacy for victims, including signposting to independent legal advice and support.

"And we will convene a victim support advisory group, led by survivors of CSE and chaired by local organisation Keep Our Girls Safe (KOGS) to ensure the voices of these women shapes our work.

"Some members in the Chamber are calling for an independent inquiry into CSE, to follow this Review.

"In response to this, I want to be clear that I have in no way blocked a further inquiry, that is not within my gift to do so.

"Whilst I do not agree another inquiry is the best way forward to get justice for the victims, as I said last week, any Councillor or member of the public can write to the government and request such an inquiry.

Cllr Chadderton said the council consults on a regular basis with Ofsted and the Department for Education, and that the the Home Office were kept updated during the review and then consulted on the findings.

She continued: "They have not expressed any concerns to us regarding the outcome of the review and if they were to do so, I would ensure we acted on that immediately.

"Since the review has been made public, Ofsted carried out an inspection at Rivendell, the Children’s home at the centre of some of the allegations in the review.

"What is most important for me at this point in time is to put victims and survivors first.

"Our victims’ strategy does this.

"In addition, Greater Manchester Police are running Operation Sherwood, to investigate historic allegations of sexual exploitation and bring offenders to justice.

"I will be meeting with opposition group Leaders this week, where I will be inviting them to contribute and help improve our safeguarding responsibilities – and to do so with respect, with professionalism, and with an understanding that this is more important than party politics."

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