Rochdale Council has announced its timetable to responding to the findings of the Independent Inquiry into sex abuse in the borough but it won’t be until after the local elections in May.
“Although IICSA made no recommendations to us, its report will be considered by us and our councillors so that a formal response can be given.”
That will take place via a scrutiny committee that will meet after the elections.
The Report published last week found historic failures of leadership and management and how council officers and school staff from the time covered by the report had failed to protect children and said that its former leader Richard Farnell had lied to the inquiry.
Steve Rumbelow, chief executive, said: “The events that took place at Cambridge House and Knowl View and other establishments in Rochdale have cast a long shadow over the town for many years and have undoubtedly caused pain to many people.
“The council acknowledges that there were significant failings, both in the way that Knowl View School was managed, and in the council’s response to concerns about sexual abuse within and outside the school.
“That was, frankly, unforgivable. On behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, I would like to apologise sincerely to anyone who was failed by the council during those years.”
“We cannot turn the clock back. But as the current chief executive of the council, working with the director of children’s services and partner agencies such as the police, and through the Rochdale Safeguarding Children’s Board, I can make sure that we continue do our level best to safeguard our children and young people now and in the future.
“The council is doing everything it can to support and work with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in its task and I hope that it can help us fully understand what happened in Rochdale all those years ago.”
