OXFORDSHIRE County Council and Thames Valley Police, failed the young victims in the horrific Bullfinch case in many ways.

No matter what the serious case review of both organisations uncovers, it is accept there were failings.

However, it is encourgaing to see the county council taking decisive steps to ensure it does not happen again, as it reveals that plans to build and run four new care homes for children within Oxfordshire.

Regardless of the errors which left vulnerable young girls at the mercy of the Bullfinch gang – and perhaps others who may have been failed by the system – it has a statutory responsibility to provide care for our most vulnerable children. And it needs to provide that care itself.

There will be occasions when it is right to home children out of the county for their own good, but the majority should be right here in Oxfordshire for myriad reasons, not least that the county’s social and care services are close at hand.

“Learning lessons” is an appalling phrase principally used by organisations that fail to take true accountability, but in this case the council appears committed to doing just that.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood is absolutely right when she says the county council (and Thames Valley Police) need to restore public confidence.

This is a big step in the right direction and in our view one that is well worth £7m of taxpayer cash.