The announcement that Oldham will be one of five pilot schemes for reviews into grooming, backed by national funding, and based on the Telford review, has been cautiously welcomed by the Oldham Liberal Democrats.
The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham Council, Sam Al-Hamdani, has written to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper asking the Government to lay out a timetable for a new law on “public candour” ahead of any local investigation into grooming.
Oldham Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the announcement that Tom Crowther KC – who led Telford’s inquiry into child sexual exploitation – will work with Oldham Council to develop a new inquiry into abuse.
Over 10,000 WASPI women across Oldham stand to lose out in compensation after the Labour Government decided to ignore the independent ombudsman’s assessment of what should be paid out.
Oldham’s Labour leadership have had two critical decisions referred back with requests for more evidence, after they were “called in” by councillors Mark Kenyon and Sam Al-Hamdani.
The first steps towards a new health centre for Saddleworth have been taken after extensive lobbying by Liberal Democrat councillors.