A new Calderdale Council working group to tackle sexual exploitation of children will not just consider grooming gangs – historic abuse at a Halifax children’s home will also be in its remit.

Calderdale Council cabinet members agreed to set up the cross-party tackling child sexual exploitation working party.

Leader of the council, Coun Daniel Sutherland (Reform UK, Illingworth and Mixenden), said a working party on its own was not going to change the world – but it was a first step in showing the authority was serious about these issues.

A key aspect would be ensuring victims’ voices were heard, he said.

Coun Sutherland told colleagues he had written to to Baroness Anne Longfield requesting Calderdale be selected as an area of interest for the Government’s Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and although not included in the first round, he hoped the borough would be included soon.

And he wanted the working party’s remit to be wider than that, he said, after referring to areas included in the inquiry.

“Our neighbours in Bradford and Keighley have been, there may be some lessons to be learned there, but I think there are some very specific lessons to be learned in Calderdale, not just about grooming gangs.

“In the news we have recently heard a lot about Skircoat Lodge and what happened there.

“It’s history pre-dates almost any of us in terms of our role or functions in the council either as councillors or council officers – but the impacts that were had on the victims lasts a lifetime,” he said.

Coun Sutherland said he and deputy leader of the council, Coun Paul Hawkaluk (Reform UK, Salterhebble, Southowram and Skircoat Green) – who will head the new committee – had engaged with survivors of Skircoat Lodge and wanted to make sure their voices are heard.

“Frankly, for many, it never ended there and there are still issues now within our communities.

“It’s time that people are heard.

“It’s time that we do all in our power to make a change.

“And it’s time we do all in our power to stop this happening any more.

“No matter where the problem comes from, who it is, no matter how powerful they are, it’s about changing how public services think and act,” he said.

The new working party will have representatives from all political groups on the council, be supported by relevant officers and partner agencies.

It will review the council’s approach to preventing and responding to child sexual exploitation, monitor learning from local safeguarding reviews, inspections and national recommendations and support engagement with any national inquiry processes affecting Calderdale.

It will promote transparency and public confidence in the council’s safeguarding arrangements and receive update from partners, including West Yorkshire Police and safeguarding services, regarding measures to identify, prevent and disrupt child sexual exploitation.