Calls for answers on child sex exploitation report

Reform UK councillors are demanding to see a report on how Dudley Council handled allegations of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

The Reform group on the council has written to the authority’s chief executive, Balvinder Heran, expressing concern over allegations of offending reported by the BBC earlier this year, and what action the council took to protect vulnerable young people.

The letter calls for the findings of a council investigation on the issue to be made available to elected members for scrutiny.

The letter said: “The council leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, publicly referred to an investigation in March and indicated that officers’ work could be concluded within a week or so.

“He also committed to dedicated scrutiny of the matter. This delay has occurred under his leadership, and we believe he should be held accountable for the council’s response.”

Reform is calling for circulation of the report, a timeline detailing who was aware of allegations and what action was taken, confirmation action was taken to protect children at risk and a commitment for the report to be considered by the appropriate scrutiny committee.

Cllr Harley said: “Exploitation of any nature is a serious crime, but Dudley Council and the Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership is committed to taking every opportunity to prevent and tackle it.

“The partnership, which consists of the council, police, health and education sectors and a range of charities, meets regularly to discuss any concerns raised with a view to listening to these and acting upon them.

“An external independent review has been undertaken, and a special scrutiny committee meeting is being established for later this year to discuss its findings.

“A decision will be taken prior to the meeting on what can be appropriately shared with the public, but I can assure residents that the review found no evidence that any substantiated allegations of CSE were ignored by Dudley Council.

“Elected members and partners will be invited to attend the meeting and we continue in our commitment to safeguarding children, responding proportionately to all concerns, and ensuring that every piece of intelligence is examined thoroughly and transparently.”

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service