Labour councillors in Calderdale will tonight support a key amendment to reinforce the borough’s commitment to full, transparent, and accountable cooperation with the Government’s National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, following the findings of the Casey Report.
The amendment builds on Calderdale Council Cabinet’s public commitment to cooperate fully with the inquiry, and sets out further measures to ensure victims are supported, trust in public services is restored, and councillors and communities are kept informed as the inquiry progresses.
The Labour-led amendment acknowledges:
• The serious and lasting impact of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Calderdale.
• The bravery of survivors such as Child M, whose testimony led to dozens of arrests and prosecutions.
• Past failings in statutory services between 2008–2011, as highlighted in the 2016 Serious Case Review.
It also recognises progress made since then, including:
• Significant improvements in safeguarding practice, most recently confirmed by Ofsted in April 2025.
• Ongoing work by the Council and West Yorkshire Police to bring perpetrators of historic and recent abuse to justice.
Labour’s amendment commits the Council to:
• Await and respond fully to the nationally set Terms of Reference.
• Share relevant information with the inquiry openly, transparently, and with integrity.
• Ensure robust, independent scrutiny of the Council’s role through the cross-party Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board.
• Continue efforts to support victims and assist police investigations.
• Keep elected members informed with regular Cabinet Member reports and urgent updates from the Director of Children’s Services.
Cllr Adam Wilkinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:
“Labour councillors are determined to ensure our response is open, honest, and driven by a commitment to justice. This amendment strengthens transparency, reinforces accountability, and ensures the voices of victims remain at the heart of everything we do.”
The amendment will be debated at tonight’s Full Council meeting.