Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ahmad, Hindle, Lancaster, Sharp and Sheldon.

Councillor Stretton declared an interest as she had given evidence as a witness to the Review into Historic Safeguarding Practices in the Borough of Oldham.

Councillor Garry declared an interest at Item 3 by virtue of her husband’s employment with Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Chris Gloster declared a non-registerable interest at Item 3 by virtue of his receipt of an occupational pension from Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Hazel Gloster declared a non-registerable interest at Item 3 by virtue of her husband’s receipt of an occupational pension from Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Wilkinson declared a non-registerable interest at Item 3 by virtue of his receipt of an occupational pension from Greater Manchester Police.

Councillor Murphy declared a non-registerable interest at Item 3 by virtue of his receipt of an occupational pension from Greater Manchester Police.

The Mayor advised that the meeting had been convened to receive the Independent Assurance review of the Effectiveness of the Multi-Agency responses to Child Sexual Exploitation in Greater Manchester: Part 2 Review into Historic Safeguarding Practices in the Borough of Oldham.

Councillor Chadderton, the Leader of the Council addressed the meeting, requesting that Council resolves to move into Committee, for the remainder of the meeting to allow Members and Officers of the Council and of Greater Manchester Police to present and respond to questions received. Such a course of action would remove the time limit for public questions, that have been received, allowing them all to be answered.

RESOLVED

That Council moves into Committee for the remainder of the meeting.

The Council received submissions from the following contributors:

a.    Malcolm Newsam (via video link) – one of the authors of the Independent Assurance review of the Effectiveness of the Multi-Agency responses to Child Sexual Exploitation in Greater Manchester: Part 2 Review into Historic Safeguarding Practices in the Borough of Oldham

b.    Gerard Jones – Managing Director of Children’s Services, Oldham MBC

c.    Councillor Amanda Chadderton – Leader of the Council

d.    Councillor Pam Byrne - on behalf of the Leader of the Conservative Group

e.    Councillor Howard Sykes - Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

f.     Councillor Brian Hobin – Leader of the Failsworth Independent Party

The Mayor advised that a total of 36 public questions had been received. Where applicable a questioner was able read out their own submission, all other questions received were read out by the Chief Executive. Some of the questions received were grouped into various themes

1          Question from Sam  to Mr Newsam         

Why did Gary Ridgway tell me that there was a cover up when I met him but the report says there is no cover up?

Why did you not interview any of the professional standards police officers who you knew had covered up the failings in the criminal investigation and what had happened at the police station.

Why did you think that an apology was a good remedy instead of making a public call for justice and accountability in your report?

Answer – Questions to be forwarded to the Review Team

2          Question from Sam  to Chief Superintendent Bowen   

Do you think that those responsible for the attacks on me should be prosecuted? The police know their names.

Do you think the PSB officers who covered up what happened to me and the failings of the officers around the time I was attacked should be prosecuted?

Do you think the GMP chief superintendent who wrote to Mr Keith Vaz MP should be prosecuted for saying that nothing was wrong with any actions of any GMP officers and all the investigations had been carried out well?

Do you think that GMP should compensate me for personal injury and breach of my human rights?

Do you think that GMP should share the costs of a good solicitor and barrister so that I can afford to pursue those claims?

Answers:

We have not waited for the report to be published to pursue perpetrators and 106 dedicated officers in our CSE unit are pursuing any and all lines of enquiry as part of Operation Sherwood. We are clear on this – anyone who committed these crimes and thinks they’ve gotten away with it, regardless of the passage of time, we will come for them.

We are keen to ensure that any individual or organisational learning from this is captured and reflected in our policies and procedures going forward as we do with any review into our operations and professional standards. Should any potential misconduct be identified, this will be thoroughly investigated by our Professional Standards Branch through the appropriate procedures.

 It’s important that we listen to you and address your concerns as fully as possible, and I understand there is a meeting being arranged with yourself and the Chief Constable next month where it is our intention to better understand your views and how we may be able to help you further.

3          Questions from Sam to Cllr Chadderton, Council Leader

Does Cllr Chadderton genuinely believe that there was no cover up in my case?

Does she believe that saying ‘it all happened a long time ago and things are better now’ is what I want to hear?

Does she think that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.