Issue - meetings

This strategy sets out the key priorities for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in tackling domestic abuse and outlines the key areas for action over the next three years.   The strategy aims to ensure that service users are at the centre of our work, that we respond to local need and that we work collaboratively to deliver our ambitious vision that “no resident living within or visiting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole should live in fear of, or experience domestic abuse.”

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet note the first phase of the work that has taken place; and

(b)           the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Domestic Abuse Strategy be brought back to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity along with the delivery plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Community Safety

Reason

In order to meet the duties placed on local authorities by the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020 and to provide a framework to improve the response from statutory partners to domestic abuse.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'K' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that this strategy sets out the key priorities for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in tackling domestic abuse and outlines the key areas for action over the next three years, and that further to this the strategy aims to ensure that service users are at the centre of our work, that we respond to local need and that we work collaboratively to deliver our ambitious vision that “no resident living within or visiting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole should live in fear of, or experience domestic abuse.”

The Portfolio Holder in presenting the report informed that this was a two stage process, and that phase two of the process would deal with the delivery. In relation to this the Portfolio Holder presented an amended recommendation as set out below.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed the Cabinet, expressing thanks that the recommendations from the recent meeting of the Board as set out below had been largely reflected in the change in the recommendations.

The Overview and Scrutiny Board recommended that this item is withdrawn from the December Cabinet meeting to allow time for the issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Board to be considered further in order to update the strategy document and to present it to a future Overview and Scrutiny Board to be considered further in order to update the strategy document and to present it to a future Overview and Scrutiny Board and Cabinet together with the high level delivery plan.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet note the first phase of the work that has taken place; and

(b)           the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Domestic Abuse Strategy be brought back to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity along with the delivery plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Community Safety

To consider issues within the Community Safety Portfolio area, including the following report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 16 December 2020:

• Domestic Abuse Strategy

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the report and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor May Haines, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety.

The Cabinet report is attached for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Domestic Abuse Strategy - The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety introduced the report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix ‘K’ to the Cabinet minutes of 16 December in the Minute Book. A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion, including:

·     A Councillor raised a number of concerns with the strategy, including that there were no principles of measurement for what was trying to be achieved, that there was no specific plan outlined for how performance in this area could be improved and also that there was reference to finance concerns and accessing temporary one-off grants. Overall, it was felt that this was disappointing.

·     It was noted that most reports of domestic violence came through the police and other intelligence and within the plan it was set out what we would do with reports received. The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference group met on a weekly basis and considered what action was required for all those on a ‘watch’ list. There were priorities which were held jointly with the police. It was explained that the strategy was not intended to provide a one size fits all plan and issues would need to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

·     A Board member commented that the report was lacking on information regarding investment of resources in prevention and education and funding refuge places. The report referred to a SWOT analysis, but it currently did not have sight of where the weaknesses were. It was noted that financial issues were included within the main report under financial implications. It was noted that the £425k referred to in the report included funding for raising awareness of the issue but that there was a need to be sensitive in the way that this was done, particularly for those who may be at risk.

·     It was noted that the report referred to a delivery plan that would be developed and it was suggested that this should be shared with the Board.

·     Members asked if, due to the current circumstances, whether another rise in the number of incidences of domestic violence was expected and how would the delivery plan reflect the impact of Corona virus on this. It was noted that the strategy was a joint initiative with other agencies and any update could be brought back to O&S if this was helpful. The Covid response to this area was approved back in April and there was joint communication with police and partners and awareness was being promoted through ‘#you’re not alone’. Cases had gone up recently and the numbers were concerning. The strategy needed to be agreed in order to work together and bring the numbers down. It was normal for cases to increase at this time of year.

·     A Councillor commented that they would have liked to have seen more detail in the report but there was a lot of detail that could not be gone into and felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114