Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of People (Communities)

Further to Minute No. 114 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 February 2023, The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director of People (Communities) on the draft five year Domestic Abuse Strategy which had been produced to meet the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a statutory duty on local authorities to:

· Form a Local Domestic Abuse Partnership Board

· Conduct a Local Needs Assessment

· Develop and Publish a Strategy

· Give effect to the Strategy

· Monitor Strategy effectiveness

· Report back to the Government via the Domestic Abuse Commissioners Office.

The Council has had a Domestic Abuse Strategy for several years, but following the statutory duty placed on all local authorities under the Act, the existing strategy had been refreshed to not only meet our statutory requirements but to reach much further in addressing such an important issue.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the adoption of the five year Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy.

Report of the Assistant Director of People (Communities)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director of People (Communities) on the draft 5-year Domestic Abuse Strategy which had been produced to meet the requirements of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a statutory duty on local authorities to:

· Form a Local Domestic Abuse Partnership Board

· Conduct a Local Needs Assessment

· Develop and Publish a Strategy

· Give effect to the Strategy

· Monitor Strategy effectiveness

· Report back to government via the Domestic Abuse Commissioners Office.

Sefton Council has had a Domestic Abuse Strategy for several years but it had taken the opportunity, following the statutory duty placed on local authorities under the Act, to refresh the existing strategy to not only meet its statutory requirements but to reach much further in addressing such an important issue.

Decision Made:

That the Council be recommended as per the Constitution, to adopt the 5-year Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy as part of its statutory responsibilities.

Reasons for the Recommendation(s):

By adopting the strategy, the Council can bid for additional funding streams that will serve to address the priorities contained within it. The strategy will also ensure compliance with statutory requirements and prevent any intervention from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.

By adopting the strategy, the Council, and wider partnership, will have an overarching strategic document to inform the delivery of services and can bid for additional funding streams that will serve to address the priorities contained within it.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The alternative option is to not adopt the strategy which will leave the Council vulnerable to future funding allocations and risk Domestic Abuse Commissioner intervention.