OLDHAM MBC AND GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

INTRODUCTION

Recent events in Oldham have generated considerable cause for concern. Increased levels of racial tension, inter-community conflict, racially motivated attacks and major public disturbances have created a situation demanding a response from the statutory agencies, the community and voluntary sectors and the wider community within the Borough. It is a situation which political extremists have manipulated to their own advantage, heightening levels of fear and tension, particularly within vulnerable communities.

PROPOSAL

The circumstances prevailing in Oldham need to be analysed and understood. That understanding must lead to a programme of action owned and supported by those with responsibility within the Borough for promoting good community relations and by all the communities within the Borough. At the heart of any proposals must be a continuing commitment to programmes of regeneration designed to tackle levels of poverty and an improvement in the delivery of mainstream services across the Borough.

What is particularly important is that the process of review must take the Borough forward and not simply provide an analysis of recent events. It will be important to understand the causes and implications of particular incidents and events in the recent past but the main emphasis must be on charting a future direction with clear roles and responsibilities for the key stakeholders within the town.

The following terms of reference are proposed:

(i) to consider the underlying causes and problems of tension between the communities in Oldham which have given rise to individual and collective acts of violence and disorder over a number of years;
(ii) to consider, in particular, the responsibility of the statutory agencies in delivering social inclusion and securing the regeneration of the town, and to assess the contribution those agencies, the business community, and the community and voluntary sectors can make to bringing about those ends; and
(iii) to identify and recommend courses and programmes of action designed to tackle problems at source and rebuild community confidence.

METHODOLOGY

The review should be conducted in the following manner:

(i) it should be open, transparent and accountable;
(ii) the review should be local in nature but the panel should include individuals of national standing capable of drawing lessons for others facing similar problems;
(iii) any members of the public who live and work in the Borough should be provided with an opportunity to submit their views to the review panel;
(iv) the review panel should report to Oldham MBC and Greater Manchester Police, who will discuss its conclusion with the Government;
(v) the review should place an emphasis on proposals to take the Borough forward; and
(vi) there should be an emphasis on speed of response with initial views and findings available as soon as possible and a final report not more than four months after the process has commenced.