Issue - meetings

Purpose: 

The Strategy has been produced specifically to meet the Council’s obligations under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and will align with the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2020-23 until both documents are combined in 2023/24.

Resolved that Executive approve the Strategy, as set out in Appendix B of the report.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      a delay in implementing the decision this would cause the Council serious financial implications or could compromise the Council's position.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Deputy Leader introduced the report (Agenda Item 6) and welcomed the revision of the definition of domestic abuse introduced by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. He thanked officers for all of their work on the Strategy.

The Deputy Leader reported that the Strategy had been the subject of a local press article that morning and he congratulated the author for highlighting the matter and for writing a gender neutral article.

However issue was taken with the article’s claim that ‘Domestic Abuse in West Berkshire was much worse than official figures’.

The Deputy Leader explained that the official numbers calculated by the council were lower than national Home Office estimates. It was conceded that, as with any reported crime, figures were potentially higher than reported, however generally was felt to be lower than nationally.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Education welcomed the paper and commented that he was pleased that children were at the centre of the Strategy.

The Liberal Democrat Group Leader welcomed the Strategy but queried how the Strategy and service could be sustainable if funding wasn’t secured long term.

The Deputy Leader commented that government funding was initially for two years but it was anticipated that this would continue.

The Liberal Democrat Group Leader queried why the Strategy identified only revenue implications and no capital impact.

The Deputy Leader responded that a delivery plan would be developed out of the Strategy which may then lead to capital implications.

The Deputy Leader agreed to respond in writing to the Liberal Democrat Group Leader in relation to a query relating to the digital service impact caused by the Strategy. 

It was further agreed that a written response would be provided in relation to an action plan to tackle the current insufficient units of housing to support domestic abuse victims. 

The Deputy Leader agreed to provide a written response to the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care in relation to section 7.4 of the Strategy and in particular the current lack of ‘move–on’ accommodation and the impact, if any, on victims.

It was explained that delay in bringing the Strategy paper to Executive had been caused by the consultation process and executive cycle. It was not anticipated that the delay would cause any impact in relation to ongoing government funding.

It was suggested by the Liberal Democrat Group Leader that whilst the majority of the paper was gender neutral there were instances where the perpetrator was referred to as ‘him’.

It was further suggested that wording at 7.6 of the Strategy did not seem wholly applicable and should be revised, particularly in relation to male victims ‘moving away from the city’.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care seconded the Strategy and commented that communication would be key in raising awareness amongst residents of the support proposed within the document.

RESOLVED that the Executive approve the Strategy, as set out in Appendix B.

Other options considered: To revise the current Domestic Abuse Strategy 2020-23 to incorporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69