Rotherham ~ Secretary of State plans intervention

In August 2014, Professor Alex Jay published the report of an Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham.  It concluded that over 1400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.  The majority of the perpetrators were said to be of Pakistani background.  See 1st September post

The council is in the news again following a new report commissioned by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.  The report
- by Louise Casey CB - states that the Council was not fit for purpose.  The government has published several documents relating to this - see Inspection into the Governance of Rotherham Council and these include a letter from the Secretary of State to Rotherham Council detailing the proposed intervention in the running of the local authority.  Also, the Secretary of State proposes to impose fresh council elections from 2016.  Rotherham has up to 18th February to respond to the Secretary of State's letter.

Local Government Act 1999 Part 1 (Best Value)

Local Government Act 2000 s.86

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has announced that its ongoing investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham will be extended in the light of Miss Casey's findings.  (Formation of the NCA - see Crime and Courts Act 2013).