Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Simon Jacobs, Cabinet member for Public Health, Public Protection, Licensing, staffing, Communities and Area Boards presented the report seeing agreement to the proposals outlining the use of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) funding to fulfil the functions of the new statutory duty on Tier 1 Local Authorities relating to the provision of support to victims of domestic abuse and their children residing in safe accommodation.

Cllr Jacobs explained that the Council had been allocated £830,051 for 2021-22 to fulfil its duties as outlined above. The report summarised how the funding should be allocated along with detail proposals.

The Leader and Deputy Leader welcomed the funding and looked forward to the outcomes from the investment in this important area.

Cllr Gordon King, Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee confirmed that the Select Committee had considered the report at their meeting on 8 September 2021 and made a number of points during the meeting, including congratulating the Public Health team for their suggestions to utilise the grant during 2021/22; welcoming the proposal to monitor the allocation of the grant and its impact reviewed and consideration of issues surrounding future funding. 

Cllr Ian Thorn welcomed the report and highlighted that importance of this funding.

Cllr Gavin Grant asked a question about funding in future years. Cllr Jacobs explained that the direction of travel in relation to funding would be confirmed during the early part of 2022.

Resolved:

1. To accept the £830,051 from MHCLG for 2021-22 and approve the proposals for allocating the grant outlined in paragraph 12.

2. To agree that any underspent grant is allocated to an earmarked reserve.

3. To agree that any further decisions relating to the distribution of this grant are delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health.

Reason for decision:

Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, details the statutory responsibilities of the Local Authority functions relating to the provision of support for all victims of domestic abuse and their children, regardless of their relevant protected characteristics, within relevant accommodation (as defined by the Regulations).

The Government has been clear that having the right support to protect and assist all victims of domestic abuse will make individuals and families safe, sooner.

Government recognises the critical importance of safe accommodation and support for victims and their children as they rebuild their lives after the trauma of domestic abuse.

Following extensive engagement and public consultation, Sections 57-61 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 underpinned by this guidance introduce new requirements on local authorities and more accountability in the local delivery of domestic abuse support in safe accommodation.