Extraordinary Council Meeting: Independent Review into Historic Child Sexual Exploitation
Following the publication of the independent review into historic child sexual abuse (CSE) in Oldham this week, an Extraordinary Council Meeting has been arranged to discuss all the issues raised.
Residents and councillors will have chance to ask questions and find out more info about the report.
The deadline for submissions is 12pm on Sunday, June 26.
Independent review into historic Child Sexual Exploitation
Findings of an independent review into historic child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Oldham have been published this week by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The review was requested by Oldham Council and the Oldham Safeguarding Children Board, and commissioned by the GMCA. It was led by experts Malcolm Newsam, a former commissioner for social care in Rotherham and Gary Ridgway, a former Detective Superintendent of Cambridgeshire Police.
We fully accept the findings of this independent report. Our services have greatly improved since the time the report refers to; but we will learn from the findings and improve further, wherever we can, to ensure all our vulnerable young people are safe from harm.
Are you concerned about someone’s safety?
If you believe someone is currently experiencing or at risk of abuse, harm or neglect, you can help make it stop by making a safeguarding referral to Oldham’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):
For urgent concerns outside office hours, you can call the Emergency Duty Team on 0161 770 6936 or the Police on 101 (999 in emergencies).
Report historic child abuse
If you are affected by the issues in the Review of historic child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Oldham, or if you want to make a report to us of incidents of CSE that occurred in the past, you can speak to a trained professional by calling our new dedicated helpline on 0161 770 1045. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]
If you are in any doubt about reporting concerns don’t think “what if I’m wrong?”, think “what if I’m right?”.
Traffic management in place for 18 months
Electricity Northwest have started work on Oldham Way as part of our ambitious Southlink regeneration development.
In partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, we recently announced plans to transform the vacant plot of land – formerly Oldham Mumps Railway Station – by building around 150 much needed homes on the site.
To pave the way for the development an upgrade to the existing junction at Prince Street/Oldham Way is needed, including the construction of a fourth arm with traffic signals.
Traffic management will be in place for the duration of the scheme, and could last up to 18 months.
At any point, this may include a combination of:
Onslip closure from Emmott Way roundabout to Oldham Way, with a diversion in place.
Reduction in traffic lanes along Oldham Way, Prince Street and Lees Road.
Contraflow running on Oldham Way (ie closing one side of the road and running both directions of traffic on the either side of the central reserve).
Wellington Street (closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic).
Waterloo Street (closed to vehicular traffic).
At the same time the council will also be carrying out essential bridge improvement works at Waterloo Street and Wellington Street, after we secured £4.174m worth of funding.
The Southlink scheme is part of the council’s ‘Creating a Better Place’ strategy which aims to transform the town with £285m of investment, including building more than 2,000 new homes in the centre.
As you may know our teams have been hard at work carrying out a deep clean of Oldham’s Wards – removing all the litter, rubbish, fly-tipping and overgrown shrubbery.
The new figures are in and since the start of our Don’t Trash Oldham campaign back in September 2021, council staff have cleared up a staggering 3,167 streets and alleyways and removed 231 tonnes of waste!
The teams are currently working through the Saddleworth and Lees Wards, and will move into St Marys next month.
Following the success of the first year, we’re investing another £1m into the campaign in 2022/23.
We’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in the campaign and those who continue to dispose of their waste properly.
Organisers are looking for support to help run the planned events and for new committee members.
If you can help, want to join Oldham Pride or need more information contact Jean by email or phone 07429355024.
Supply Chain Engagement Breakfast on the Spindles Redevelopment with Willmott Dixon
Local businesses are being invited to learn more about how they can bid for, and win, contracts on the Spindles Town Square redevelopment project.
Appointed by Oldham Council to lead the transformational town centre redevelopment, Willmott Dixon has committed to spending around £8.8m with the local supply chain and around £625k with Oldham’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
The breakfast event will bring local companies face-to-face with the top-tier contractors’ purchasing team and will take place Wednesday 29th June, from 8.30am at Mahdlo Youth Zone in Egerton Street, Oldham, OL1 3SE
We’re gearing up for the brand new Oldham Made Market on the Saturday, 9 July, and you’re invited to come along and support local young traders from across the town.
Taking place in Parliament Square,10am – 4pm, the market will feature business owners aged 25 and under, selling a range of items sourced from independent businesses across Oldham.
The new pop-up market is a continuation of Oldham Made, where we transformed an empty retail unit into a shop for local businesses.
For more information, or if you’re interested having a stall, please email [email protected]
Applications are now open for the 2022 Music Service Awards
There are two awards available for students to develop their musical skills, either within Oldham, at full time Music Conservatories or other full time higher education establishments. The awards are to assist with the costs associated with students intending on pursuing a career in music.
Tuition and Instrument Award
The Tuition and Instrument Award will assist with the cost of musical instruments and/or tuition required for further, or specialist study.
Higher Education Award
The Higher Education Award is a monetary prize for students taking up places to study music at conservatoires, universities or other institutes of full-time higher education.
Please note that you can only apply for one award, not both. Applications should be submitted by Friday 29 July 2022.
Top Doctor urges people to come forward for Spring booster
The leading NHS medic is urging people who need a spring booster vaccination to come forward as soon as practically possible.
Since March, the NHS has been offering spring booster doses to all people aged 75 years and over, people aged 12 years and over with a weakened immune system, and residents in older adult care homes. See earlier press release here.
If you still need one, we strongly encourage you to:
