Telford child sex abuse: Councillors clash as critics says work on inquiry 'slow’

At a meeting of the full council on Thursday, Councillor Shaun Davies said he was listening to the wishes of survivors of CSE in regard to the pace of the investigation into historical and current instances of CSE.

A motion had been put forward by the Conservative Group calling on the council to commit to long term funding for the Holly Project, which is run by CSE survivors.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Tim Nelson stated: “This council expresses deep concern at continuing slow progress with the commissioning of an independent inquiry into historical and current instances of CSE within the borough since the council EGM of 10 April 2018.

“Also, and in order to assist and support victims in the borough, this council further calls on the present administration to extend funding for the Holly Project for the duration of the inquiry and accept that current funding arrangements of six months are inadequate.”

Councillors voted down the motion by majority.

Councillor Davies said: "I do not have deep concern about the progress because the survivors do not have deep concern. Some people have waited 40 years for answers and some are still waiting. Waiting for a few more months is the right way of doing things. I am not concerned at the progress."

Today he tweeted:

However Councillor Nicola Lowery, councillor for the Ironbridge Gorge backed the motion and said: “At the EGM held this year we stood united, we stood together, as this council agreed to hold an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford & Wrekin. It was one of this council’s finest hours as we stood, finally together, against child sexual exploitation with survivors.

“The work of the Holly Project is crucial, as they provide a free, survivor-led-support for survivors of child sexual exploitation and an independent drop in service that is run by survivors of CSE. It offers a safe place for individuals and their families to get support and advice from people who understand. This peer-to-peer support is the first of its kind in the Borough and could act as a blueprint for other parts of the UK to help ensure survivors receive the support they need.

“Given the importance of the Holly Project and its plans to expand its services, it is vital that the project obtains long-term funding to ensure the project’s future is secure. I greatly welcome the Council’s decision to extend the pilot funding until March 2019. However, this does not go far enough and does not provide the ongoing support needed.

“The security of long-term funding will genuinely secure the future of the Holly Project beyond March 2019 and ensure our survivors and their families, have the support they need and the opportunity to rebuild their lives."

After the meeting, Telford MP Lucy Allan tweeted her support for Councillor Lowery.

Councillor Peter Scott, who voted against the motion said that he had 'absolute faith' in the process.

"We should stop looking at this process as something wicked. People are working very hard to make this happen. We have to work together and understand the process," he said.

Councillor Nelson said he was confident that a commissioning body to investigate the claims would be in place by October or November with the inquiry starting in the New Year.