Issue - meetings

That the Committee:

Instruct the Chief Executive to write on behalf of Aberdeen City Council to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the First Minister of Scotland:

(i)             calling on them to work together, to share information on grooming gangs as part of any national inquiries or reviews, thus ensuring that no evidence of cross border activity by grooming gangs is missed; and

(ii)            stating that we owe it to all victims of grooming by gangs or individuals to have all politicians work collaboratively to give the victims the assurance that they will finally get the answers, actions and support they need, and their voices heard; and stating that victims need us to collectively make this happen sooner rather than later.      

The Committee resolved:-

to instruct the Chief Executive to write on behalf of Aberdeen City Council to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the First Minister of Scotland:

(i)             calling on them to work together, to share information on grooming gangs as part of any national inquiries or reviews, thus ensuring that no evidence of cross border activity by grooming gangs is missed; and

(ii)            stating that we owe it to all victims of grooming by gangs or individuals to have all politicians work collaboratively to give the victims the assurance that they will finally get the answers, actions and support they need, and their voices heard; and stating that victims need us to collectively make this happen sooner rather than later.

The Committee had before it a Notice of Motion from Councillor Boulton, in the following terms:-

That the Committee:-

Instruct the Chief Executive to write on behalf of Aberdeen City Council to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the First Minister of Scotland:

(i)             calling on them to work together, to share information on grooming gangs as part of any national inquiries or reviews, thus ensuring that no evidence of cross border activity by grooming gangs is missed; and

(ii)            stating that we owe it to all victims of grooming by gangs or individuals to have all politicians work collaboratively to give the victims the assurance that they will finally get the answers, actions and support they need, and their voices heard; and stating that victims need us to collectively make this happen sooner rather than later.

Councillor Boulton spoke in furtherance of her Notice of Motion.

Councillor Boulton moved, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stewart:-

          That the Committee approve the Notice of Motion.

Councillor Ali, seconded by Councillor Lawrence, moved as an amendment:-

          That the Committee –

1.            Instructs the Chief Executive to write on behalf of Aberdeen City Council to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the First Minister of Scotland:

(i)             calling on them to work together, to share information on grooming gangs as part of any national inquiries or reviews, thus ensuring that no evidence of cross border activity by grooming gangs is missed, noting the UK Government has agreed to an Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and noting the Scottish Government has agreed to a National review of group-based child sexual abuse response, the work of which review will be undertaken alongside that of the ongoing Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry; and

(ii)            stating that we owe it to all victims of grooming by gangs or individuals to have all politicians work collaboratively to give the victims the assurance that they will finally get the answers, actions and support they need, and their voices heard; and stating that victims need us to collectively make this happen sooner rather than later;

2.            Agrees the Chief Executive should also express in her letter to the First Minister the Committee’s concerns relating to his Justice Secretary Angela Constance who broke the ministerial code after making controversial comments about a grooming gangs expert in parliament. The SNP minister was accused of misrepresenting Prof Alexis Jay's position on public inquiries into child sexual abuse and exploitation; and

3.            Calls on the Justice Secretary to resign.

On a division, there voted – for the motion (6) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Greig, McLellan, Mennie and Mrs Stewart – for the amendment (2) – Councillors Ali and Lawrence.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.

-       Councillor Miranda Radley, CONVENER