SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND SAFETY)

 

 

MINUTES of a meeting held on 15th January, 2007.

 

Present: Councillor Mrs. M.E.J. Birch (Chairman); Councillor K.R. Stockdale (Vice-Chairman); Councillors R.J. Bertin, Ms. L. Burnett, Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, H.J.W. James, G.C. Kemp, Mrs. A.J. Moore, Mrs. A.J. Preston, A.J. Readman, B.I. Shaw, J.W. Thomas; and Mrs. L. Dyke, (Gibbonsdown Residents Board).

 

Also present: Councillors S.C. Egan and N. Moore.

 

 

676     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -

 

These were received from Councillors Ms. R.M. Birch, A.G. Powell and W.C. Vaughan.

 

 

677     MINUTES -

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the meetings held on 27th November, 2006 and 7th December, 2006, be approved as a correct record.

The Committee wished it recorded that as no loop system was available in the committee rooms it was difficult for those hard of hearing to hear the proceedings at meetings.

 

 

678     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

 

No declarations of interest were received.

 

 

679     REPORT OF MEETING - HOUSING SUB-COMMITTEE: 16TH NOVEMBER, 2006 -

 

The following report of a meeting of the Housing Sub-Committee held on 16th November, 2006 was received:

 

Present: Councillor R.F. Curtis (Chairman); Councillor S.C. Egan (Vice-Chairman); Councillors J. Clifford, Mrs. A.J. Preston, A.J. Readman, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe and K.R. Stockdale.

 

Non-Voting Co-opted Members:Mr. Lixton (Shakespeare Residents Association).

 

Also present:Councillors G. John and J.W. Thomas.

 

 

(a)       Apologies for absence -

 

These were received from Councillor Mrs. M.E.J. Birch and P. Church.

 

 

(b)       Minutes -

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Sub-Committee held on 26th October, 2006 be approved as a correct record.

 

 

(c)        Declarations of interest -

 

No declarations were received.

 

 

(d)       Presentation -Homelessness Leasing Scheme  -

 

Mr. Paul Roberts and Mr. Jason Wroe from Newydd Housing Association presented a report on the Homelessness Leasing Scheme.  In simple terms, the scheme involved Newydd buying properties from the open market.  These could then be leased to the Council for use as accommodation for homeless families to prevent them being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.  It was anticipated that the majority of people involved in the Homelessness Leasing Scheme could claim Housing Benefit and this would cover rental costs.  The Homelessness Leasing Scheme had been operational in Torfaen County Borough Council where an initial thirty properties had been provided to the Council by Newydd as alternative temporary accommodation.  Torfaen Council had now requested an additional twenty properties.  All properties were brought up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard prior to a lease being given to the Council and provided at cost for homeless families.  There would be no capital cost to the Council and no additional funding required, only internal agreement from the Housing Benefit Department.

 

There was also the ability to convert properties to social housing through the use of Social Housing Grant if required.  The Homelessness Leasing Scheme would assist in meeting the requirements of the Welsh Assembly Government that the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless families should be reduced.  The Council would decide on the size, type and location of each property to ensure that all areas within the Vale of Glamorgan were covered.  Costs would be transparent and the Council would be able to see how each weekly rent was calculated.  There would be no risk to the Local Authority as a lease could be ended at any time with six months notice.  It was indicated that funding arrangements were already in place and Newydd were ready to provide units for the Council.  All that was needed was confirmation from the Vale of Glamorgan Council that they wished to go ahead with the Homelessness Leasing Scheme.

 

Members thanked Paul Roberts and Jason Wroe for the very comprehensive presentation and indicated that the scheme appeared very straightforward and would provide a flexible option to support the Council’s Homelessness Housing Strategy.  The Director of Community Services supported the scheme in principle but advised that a Business Plan would need to be prepared.  This would need to identify the benefits for the Council and persons who became homeless.  However, this scheme appeared to provide an ability to provide appropriate accommodation for homeless families who were housed by the Council.  There was also a need to provide affordable housing for persons who were not on benefits and properties would have to be identified across the Vale. 

 

To ensure that best value was achieved for the Council, here would have to be an exercise to identify a preferred partner and it would be most cost effective to think of a term of three to five years.  It was suggested that further information be provided on this matter to Members in due course.

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T Mr. Paul Roberts and Mr. Jason Rowe be thanked for their very informative and interesting presentation on the Homelessness Leasing Scheme.

 

(2)       T H A T a further report on the Homelessness Leasing Scheme be brought to the Housing Sub-Committee in January 2006.

 

(N.B. Councillor G. John was given permission to speak during consideration of this item).

 

 

(e)       Housing Investment (DCS) -

 

A Housing Investment Risk Appraisal and Implementation Plan in respect of Housing Investment had been considered by Cabinet on 8th November, 2006.  Members were asked to consider this report in conjunction with the recommendations of Cabinet as detailed below:

 

“RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T a stock retention strategy to enable the Council to meet the WHQS by 2012 be supported, that resolution to be dependent upon the Council agreeing to the following key issues to be agreed in 2006/07 and implemented from April, 2007:

 

·         re-allocation of estimated costs to the Council General Fund in 2006/07 for the following services:

 

Ø      Grounds Maintenance Contract estimated at £80,375.

Ø      Renewal of rubbish and cleansing of properties estimated at £5,000.

Ø      Waste clearance and abandoned cars estimated at  £15,000.

Ø      Housing Strategy estimated at £100,000.

 

·         cyclical and responsive repairs based on benchmark figures ensuring efficiency savings in the Building Maintenance DSO, estimated at £632,000 per year, to be achieved in the first instance by March, 2008.

 

·         1% efficiency savings in housing management services from 2007/08 for 5 years and reported back to Cabinet on 31st January, 2007 on the measures proposed to achieve the efficiency.

 

·         reducing revenue repairs by 10% after the WHQS had been achieved in 2012.

 

·         utilise the housing capital receipt from the sale of Penarth Heights.

 

·         introduce service charges totalling £126,835 per year during 2007.

 

·         successful negotiations with the WAG regarding the projected Management and Maintenance allowances, ensuring that future M and M allowances were at 2% plus RPI.

 

·         restrict repair and maintenance costs to RPI from 2007/08.

 

(2)       T H A T HRA Sensitivities 8, 10, 12 and 13 be further analysed and that the Director of Community Services submit a further report to Cabinet on 31st January, 2007.

 

(3)       T H A T the use of prudential borrowing be not approved until resolutions (1) and (2) above had been agreed and successfully implemented.

 

(4)       T H A T a stock transfer strategy be endorsed should the key issues highlighted in resolutions (1) and (2) above be not agreed and achieved by March 2008 (it being noted that a decision to support a stock transfer strategy would rest with full Council).

 

(5)       T H A T the report as amended at the meeting be forwarded to WAG for information as to the Council’s current position.

 

(6)       T H A T the Director of Community Services notify all Council tenants of the Council’s current position and the key issues that needed to be considered together with their implications through, for example, the distribution of a newsletter.”

 

The Director of Community Services advised that there were certain actions and results that had to be achieved if the Council were to retain its housing stock.  It was also indicated that the Tribal Report was an in-house solution to reaching the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and the important considerations were whether the options suggested were viable.  The report highlighted what needed to be done and the required timescale.

 

Significant progress had been made by the DSO towards making the Business Plan more viable and further reports were due from both the Housing Service and DSO on progress.  The Director of Community Services indicated that it was unlikely that any local authority would be able to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard for all their properties by 2012.  If the Council did not have viable Business Plan by 2008, then a stock transfer would be the only option and this could be enforced by the Welsh Assembly Government.  Any future decisions, taken by the Council, should be considered with regard to how it could affect the Business Plan.  Officers were aware of the difficult decisions that would have to be taken but progress was being made and the next twelve months would prove whether the DSO was efficient.  The progress to date was encouraging but this needed to accelerate if results were to be in line with the necessary savings identified in the Business Plan.

 

The Director of Community Services suggested that Members receive a presentation on the progress of the Business Plan approximately every quarter to enable officers and Members to work together as any areas of slippage should be identified at the earliest possible time.  The representative of the Shakespeare Residents Association observed that the process had been very transparent and they had been involved right from the beginning.  It was noted that other than £200,000 identified in the recommendations there would be no other dependence on the Council’s overall budget and the Business Plan would depend on income generation, the Housing Revenue Account and prudential borrowing. 

 

The representative from the Shakespeare Residents Association referred to letters being sent to tenants seven months after an inspection when there was a need to recharge an outgoing tenant for repairs.  It was suggested that the process for dealing with this complaint be examined to find out whether the delay had been reduced and what could be learnt from the process. 

 

Members observed that the Business Plan and recommendations set out by Cabinet were unlikely to be successful without the support of all members and officers involved in the service.

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the Housing Sub-Committee support the recommendations of Cabinet as set out above and request all party support from Members to assist in the process of producing a viable Business Plan to support the Stock Retention Strategy.

 

___________________

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the recommendations contained within the report be endorsed.

 

(2)       T H A T a further report in respect of the resolutions identified under ‘(e) - Housing Investment (DCS)‘ be presented to the Scrutiny Committee when available.

 

 

680     A REVIEW TO EVALUATE THE LEVELS OF NURSERY PROVISION IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN (CHAIRMAN) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) had, on 6th November, 2006, considered a desktop review which had established the situation in terms of nursery provision within the Vale of Glamorgan and which had also examined the levels of provision in both nurseries provided by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and those which were privately operated.  The purpose of the review was to establish whether the statutory duty to ensure that sufficient free nursery places existed for every child aged over 3 was being fulfilled.

 

The review had established that the Council provided enough places to satisfy the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy of a part-time funded place for every child from the term after their third birthday.  The places were primarily provided by Vale run nurseries, or those schools with a nursery unit attached; in some instances, places were allocated through private providers but only when there was a shortfall in Council provision within a 2 mile radius of a parent’s home address.  The review also found that in terms of cost the Vale paid roughly in line with what a private operator would charge, being £6.97 per child per session regardless of the nursery they attended ( a session being 2½ hours), and that the policy and situation of nursery provision in the Vale was not dissimilar to that of other local authorities. 

 

Having considered the review. the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) made the following recommendations:

 

“(1)      T H A T the recommendations contained in the review document be agreed in principle, and subject to consideration of a further report (see below), namely:

 

·         information be provided on the Council’s website to raise awareness of the free provision which is available to ensure maximum take up of the resources

·         review the making of the policy for allocating nursery places to see if it is feasible to make it more flexible so that if there is a genuine case for a child to attend an alternative provider it be seriously considered (this was also in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s directive of increasing parental choice)

·         that Scrutiny Committee receive a further report to consider whether it is feasible to review Council policy to enable the nursery providers to offer full-time places and enable parents to pay the difference (if they have the capacity to do so) to satisfy the Welsh Assembly Government’s initiative of increasing parental choice

·         introduce a child care database that is readily available, that joins up both authority operated facilities and privately run playgroups to enable parents to make an informed choice about the appropriate form of child care

·         undertake a feasibility study for introducing transport provision to enable children who live in the rural Vale to have access to services based in other parts of the Vale.

 

(2)       T H A T Committee receive a further report on early years provision in areas of deprivation, and early years provision in the context of Welsh medium nursery education. 

 

(3)       T H A T a copy of the report and recommendations of this Committee be referred to Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety).”

 

Members of the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) welcomed the report and  

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) be endorsed.

 

(2)       T H A T the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) receive a copy of the Impact Assessment report on equalities at a future meeting.

 

(3)       T H A T the reports requested by the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) be also referred to the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) for consideration / information.

 

 

681     APPOINTMENTS TO HOUSING-SUB COMMITTEE (CE) -

 

The purpose of the report was to fill the vacancies on the Housing Sub-Committee, given the recent changes in administration of the Council.  In particular, Councillor R.F. Curtis (Chairman Housing Sub- Committee) and Councillor S.C. Egan (Vice-Chairman Housing Sub-Committee) had been appointed as Members of the Cabinet and had therefore resigned from the Scrutiny Committee, and as such, were no longer Members of the Housing Sub-Committee. 

 

As a result of the changes in administration, the Members of the Conservative Group also advised that their Members on the Housing Sub-Committee would be Councillors Mrs J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. A.J. Preston and J.W. Thomas.  The Independent representative - Councillor A.J. Readman; and for Plaid Cymru - Councillor K.R. Stockdale.  In respect of the Labour Group Members, the Chairman advised that she would inform the relevant Democratic Services Officer prior to the Housing Sub-Committee meeting on 18th January, of the Labour Group Members’ names.

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the following be appointed to the Housing Sub-Committee in accordance with the political balance regulations for the remainder of the Municipal Year:

 

Conservative

 

Councillors Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. A.J. Preston, J.W. Thomas.

 

Independent

 

Councillor A.J. Readman.

 

Plaid Cymru

 

Councillor K.R. Stockdale.

 

Labour

 

To be determined and reported to the Democratic Services Officer prior to the 18th January, 2007.

 

 

682     REVENUE AND CAPITAL MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL, 2006 TO 30TH NOVEMBER, 2006 -

 

The position in respect of revenue and capital expenditure for the period 1st April, 2006 to 30th November, 2006 regarding Revenue and Capital budgets was presented to the Committee.  The Committee was advised that the projected outturn for 2006/07 Revenue Budget was shown in comparison with the amended Annual Budget as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report. 

 

In respect of Public Sector Housing, the Housing Revenue Account was anticipated to outturn in line with the amended budget for 2006/07. 

 

For Private Sector Housing, it was estimated that the service would underspend by £118,000 at the year end which was a favourable variance mainly due to staff vacancies.

 

In respect of Children’s Services, the service was showing a projected deficit of £1,481,000 on current expenditure.  The small decrease in the commitment for Children’s Placements of £32,000, had offset the increased costs that had been associated with court proceedings.  It was also reported that the shortfall on the Social Services Reserve would stand at £665,000.

 

The report further stated that for Community Care and Health the probable outturn was showing a deficit of £2,558,000 being a reduction of £288,000 on the previously reported figure.  The reduction reflected savings in community care commitments and improved income collection.

 

The Catering Service however, reported a projected deficit of £130,000 which the report reinforced that all efforts were being made to reduce the deficit by the year end.

 

Appendix 2 to the report, detailed the Capital Programme as at 30th November, 2006.  All schemes except for the Adult Respite Care Scheme were anticipated to outturn on target.  The Adult Respite Care Scheme budget of £500,000 was therefore requested to be carried forward to 2007/08.

 

Appendix 3 to the report, provided non-financial information on Capital Schemes. 

 

The report highlighted that the net overspend of £4.716m. which would have to be met from the General Fund balance was projected to stand at circa £4m. at 31st March, 2007 and it was noted that a substantial amount of the overspend would have to be found by un-earmarking specific reserves.

 

Members queried the spend on Children’s Services and were advised that at the time there had been unpredictable court proceedings costs and there had been a dispute between both the Legal Services Department and Children’s Services Department on budget issues.  The figures were however now being monitored on a monthly basis.  Members were also advised that despite the review for Placement Strategy for Children’s Services, the overall strategy had not been as successful as anticipated. 

 

Members expressed disappointment in relation to the Catering Budget and that the projected deficit had not been addressed.  They were advised that the Catering Service was currently realigning its services which would take some time to come to fruition.  The officer from the service area confirmed that a report was anticipated to be presented to Cabinet within the next six weeks.  A reduction in the supply of school meals had had a detrimental effect on the budget and the Department was currently working with the Catering Service to engage with the public and provide a positive approach to the service area.

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T full details of the cost of security and other monies spent at Penarth Heights be presented to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

(2)       T H A T the Revenue and Capital Monitoring report be noted.

 

 

683     SCRUTINY REVIEW: SUBSTANCE MISUSE PROVISION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN -

 

The scrutiny review had been undertaken by the Scrutiny Committee in 2005 and the Head of Housing and Community Safety had been requested to prepare an Action Plan to address the local issues identified within the Substance Misuse report.  The purpose of the report to date was to highlight the progress that had been made and to address the local issues highlighted in the scrutiny review.  Attached at Appendix 1 was the Substance Misuse Action Plan which identified the actions to be undertaken and the priority rating allocated, start and finish dates, and the officer with responsibility for completing the actions.  There had been issues regarding the co-ordination of the Action Plan due to the lack of appointment of a Substance Misuse Co-ordinator.  In respect of the actions in the Plan, they had been given new deadlines in order for them to be achievable and Committee was advised that ongoing monitoring of the Plan would be reviewed on a quarterly basis at the Substance Misuse Action Team meetings.  The new Substance Misuse Co-ordinator who was present at the meeting (Joanne Lewis) was introduced to Members.  Members raised concerns in developing a shared vision throughout the Vale and to the lack of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to adequately provide the service and recommended that the Plan consider joint working arrangements with other partners, for example, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taff.  The officer present advised that it would be one of the roles of the co-ordinator to work closely with other partners.  Members were pleased to receive the report and requested that regular feedback on progress be reported to Committee.

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the report and the Action Plan be approved.

 

(2)       T H A T a report be presented to a future Scrutiny Committee on the  progress made with working with partners.

 

(3)       T H A T the Substance Misuse Co-ordinator report back to Committee on progress made on addressing the Action Plan at a future date.

 

 

684     SAFER VALE PARTNERSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS 2005/2006 -

 

The Scrutiny Committee had requested on an annual basis, that the work of the Vale of Glamorgan Safer Vale Partnership and progress made be presented to the Scrutiny Committee to monitor partnership action in reducing crime.  Appendix 1 to the report was the 2005/2006 Annual Report which informed on progress to date against the actions.  The report highlighted that during the period April 2005 to March 2006, home burglaries within the Vale of Glamorgan division were down 13.8% which could be attributed to a number of different operations that had been running in the Vale of Glamorgan including the Alley Gates project that was currently being established in the Barry area).  Motor vehicles thefts were down by 36.4% and thefts from motor vehicles were down by 31.4%.  The report further highlighted that auto crime had seen a reduction in 2005/06 due to a number of different initiatives in particular that Police Community Safety Officers had been patrolling the streets and contacting vehicle owners when items on display in the car could be noted and opportunities for a break-in thus prevented. 

 

The report identified that 34 robbery crimes had been committed in 2005/06 which had seen a rise from the 2003/04 figures although South Wales Police had reduced this number in 2006/07.  Violent crimes reported (including common assault) were up 65.6%.  However, overall Members noted the rise in violent crime was mainly due to more incidents being reported, although it was further highlighted that violent crime levels across the whole of Wales had increased and as such, was therefore not restricted to the Vale of Glamorgan only and the Safer Vale Partnership was addressing the problem in 2006/07.  The costs of implementing the 2004/06 Action Plan projects had been met by the Home Office, Welsh Assembly Government and existing statutory agencies.  The Strategy/Action Planning process had assisted the Council to meet the corporate objectives CW8 being to work in partnership with the Police and other agencies to meet the target set out in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy and Action Plans to reduce crime.

 

Due to the current illness of the Principal Community Safety Officer, Debra Maurer, Acting Principal Community Safety Officer was introduced to the Committee and the Committee was advised that regular liaison with communities and commitment by the Safer Vale Partnership had identified a number of areas for review which would be considered within the coming year. 

 

Members congratulated the officers on the report and the progress being undertaken in relation to the Action Plans.

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the contents of the 2005/2006 Community Safety Partnership Annual Report be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Scrutiny Committee continue to receive feedback on an annual basis on the work of the Safer Vale Partnership.

 

 

685     SCRUTINY REVIEW: A REVIEW TO EVALUATE HOW THE COUNCIL CONTRIBUTES TO TACKLING AND PREVENTING DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN -

 

The Scrutiny Review had been undertaken as part of the Committee’s 2006/2007 Work Programme.  The Review entailed establishing the roles and responsibilities of the Council and key agencies in relation to domestic abuse as well as identifying gaps in service provision and areas of good practice.  A draft report had been circulated to all Community Wellbeing and Safety Scrutiny Committee members and key stakeholders along with a questionnaire during November 2006 for consultation.  The purpose of the consultation period had been to enable the main stakeholders to engage with the Scrutiny process and have an opportunity to respond to findings of the Review as well as highlighting any erroneous comments in the report prior to it being finalised by the Committee.  Analysis of the consultation questionnaire that had been circulated identified that the majority of respondents felt that

 

·         the report had been easy to read

·         all the key points in relation to domestic abuse were covered in the review

·         the draft report set out a clear picture of domestic abuse in the Vale whilst identifying gaps in provision and that

·         the recommendations were accurate and consistent with review findings. 

 

A number of other comments had also been received in relation to the accuracy of the information contained within the report and these comments had been analysed and the suggested changes had been incorporated into the final draft of the report.  A copy of the final report of the Domestic Abuse Review was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and Appendix A to the report contained the review scoping document which outlined the objectives and purpose of carrying out the review including the desired outcomes. 

 

The Review identified that the Vale of Glamorgan had fallen behind other authorities in its ability to tackle and prevent domestic abuse and although the Domestic Abuse Forum met on a regular basis and had many dedicated members there was no co-ordinated approach.  The Forum lacked direction,  there was no strategy or action plan in place and there was a lack  of monitoring by or links with the Community Safety Partnership.

Committee was also advised of the recent resignation of the Chairman of the Forum.

 

As a result of the review a number of recommendations were therefore made in relation to how the Council could address the shortcomings and move forward in order to contribute to tackling and preventing domestic abuse in the Vale.

 

The 13 recommendations of the report were as follows :

 

“(1)      T H A T when court cases are transferred to the specialist domestic violence courts in Cardiff and Bridgend, practitioners in the Vale must have links with and provide support at these Courts.  Practitioners must ensure that all victims are aware of the practical assistance they can access via the Witness Care Scheme.  If Barry Court is not closed, or closure is delayed, the court should be encouraged to apply for specialist domestic violence status.

 

(2)       T H A T an appropriate representative is sought from the Local Health Board to attend the Domestic Abuse Forum Steering Group to further promote joined up working at a strategic level.

 

(3)       T H A T a review is carried out on the membership of the Domestic Abuse Forum to ensure that all services, both statutory and voluntary, working with victims, perpetrators and children of domestic abuse are represented.  Council departments should not be over represented on the Forum.

 

(4)       T H A T appropriate lines of communication and reporting links are established between the DAF and the Community Safety Partnership.

        

(5)       T HA T a Local Domestic Abuse Strategy and supporting action plan is prepared and implemented.  This must align to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, the annual Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and the Area Adult Protection Committee (AAPC) Business Plans. The local strategy needs to be realistic and focused on agreed priorities for the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

(6)       T H A T a set of outcome based performance indicators are developed to measure progress in the delivery of the agreed action plan.  These should be regularly reported to the Health Social Care and Well-being Partnership Community Safety Partnership, the LSCB and the AAPC and include the monitoring of survivor feedback.

 

(7)       T H A T Housing Services provide training on housing policy and the role of agencies to the Domestic Abuse Forum.

 

(8)       T H A T the Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator explores all possible funding opportunities and initiatives to identify the feasibility of developing a dedicated counselling and support service for children who have suffered or witnessed domestic abuse.

 

(9)       T H A T the Domestic Abuse Forum updates and republishes the Domestic Abuse information Directory booklet originally published by the Community Safety Partnership.

 

(10)     T H A T  the recently formed steering group and the domestic abuse co-ordinator consider treating the LSCB action plans arising from serious case reviews as an urgent priority.

 

(11)     T H A T a feasibility study of a multi agency Domestic Abuse Unit at the Barry Island Police Unit, based on the Pontypridd model, be undertaken. 

 

(12)     T H A T   raise awareness through publications and the Internet on the problems and issues associated with domestic abuse and the support services available.  The promotion should make it clear that domestic abuse is not acceptable behaviour.

 

(13)     T H A T a Cabinet Member is identified as a champion for tackling and preventing domestic abuse”.

 

Members were advised that during the Review workshops and interview sessions together with Member visits to establishments had been carried out particularly for example at the Barry Unit on Barry Island.  Members had had a key role in interviewing stakeholders and clients and one of the major issues identified was the need for a Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator within the Vale.  It was evident that there were good working relationships and the local authority had adopted a joined up approach with its partners but that it needed to be further streamlined.  The Committee was further advised that a recent announcement in the press had advised that the Barry Court would not be closed in the Vale and that the Domestic Abuse Review and its recommendations should be amended to reflect that recent change. 

 

One of the Members who was also a local solicitor requested that statistical  information in respect of Domestic Abuse towards men be made available and that this information be forwarded to Members.  The Member also suggested that the Committee may wish to consider a work programme item in respect of domestic abuse cases and the links with care proceedings and the involvement of solicitors in such cases be when the Committee would be determining its work programme for the new Municipal year.  It was  considered that feedback from practitioners as to how they manage the process and work within the system would be of use. 

 

Reference was made in the review to a number of women and children remaining in refuge accommodation for up to two years and Members considered that this was unsuitable for families unless there were exceptional circumstances. In respect of recommendation 11 it was suggested that the recommendation be amended to include that a feasibility study for a multi-agency Domestic Abuse Unit to include an evaluation of appropriate venues /  locations within the Vale of Glamorgan be undertaken. 

 

That a recommendation be added to the report to include that further information on the use of the Domestic Abuse Unit at Barry Island be presented to the Scrutiny Committee and that the review also reflects and be amended as appropriate to include the appointment of the new Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator and the recent change to the Chairmanship of the Domestic Abuse Forum.  The Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator Sue Baker was introduced to the Committee and advised Members of her experience in the field to date.

 

Having considered the review the Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendations :-

 

 

RECOMMENDED :-

 

(1)       T H A T  Barry Court be encouraged to apply for specialist Domestic Violence status and that practitioners ensure that all victims are aware of the practical assistance they can access via the Witness Care Scheme.

 

(2)       T H A T an appropriate representative is sought from the Local Health Board to attend the Domestic Abuse Forum Steering Group to further promote joined up working at a strategic level.

 

(3)       T H A T a review be carried out on the membership of the Domestic Abuse Forum to ensure that all services, both statutory and voluntary, working with victims, perpetrators and children of domestic abuse are represented.  (Council departments should not be over represented on the Forum.)

 

(4)       T H A T appropriate lines of communication and reporting links are established between the Domestic Abuse Forum and the Community Safety Partnership.

           

(5)       T H A T a Local Domestic Abuse Strategy and supporting action plan be prepared and implemented and that it is aligned to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, the annual Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and the Area Adult Protection Committee (AAPC) Business Plans. The local strategy needs to be realistic and focused on agreed priorities for the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

(6)       T H A T a set of outcome based performance indicators are developed to measure progress in the delivery of the agreed action plan.  These should be regularly reported to the Health Social Care and Well-being Partnership Community Safety Partnership, the LSCB and the AAPC and include the monitoring of survivor feedback.

 

(7)       T H A T Housing Services provide training on housing policy and the role of agencies to the Domestic Abuse Forum.

 

(8)       T H A T the Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator explores all possible funding opportunities and initiatives to identify the feasibility of developing a dedicated counselling and support service for children who have suffered or witnessed domestic abuse.

 

(9)       T H A T the Domestic Abuse Forum updates and republishes the Domestic Abuse information Directory booklet originally published by the Community Safety Partnership.

 

(10)     T H A T  the recently formed steering group and the domestic abuse co-ordinator consider treating the LSCB action plans arising from serious case reviews as an urgent priority.

 

(11)     T H A T a feasibility study be conducted to evaluate appropriate venues in the Vale for a multi – agency Domestic Abuse Unit.

 

(12)     T H A T awareness be raised through publications on the Internet on the problems and issues associated with Domestic Abuse and the support services available.  The promotion should make it clear that domestic abuse is not acceptable behaviour.

 

(13)     T H A T a Cabinet Member be identified as a Champion for tackling and preventing domestic abuse.

 

(14)     T H A T a report in respect of the Domestic Abuse Unit at Barry Island be presented to the Scrutiny Committee in respect of the use of the building.

 

(15)     T H A T the review itself be amended where necessary to reflect the appointment of the new Domestic Abuse Co-ordinator and the recent change to the Chairmanship of the Domestic Abuse Forum.

 

(16)     T H AT  a protocol be considered for adoption for incorporation into a Service Level Agreement with Womens Aid for the provision of time limited support for women and their children to enable independence.

 

(17)     T H A T the above recommendations be referred to Cabinet for approval / consideration.

 

(18)     T H A T where appropriate progress on the above be referred back to the Scrutiny Committee within six months.

 

 

686     DECISION TRACKING - JULY 2006 TO DECEMBER, 2006 -

 

The purpose of the report was to advise Members of references/call-in recommendations that had been made to Cabinet in the last six months and their outcomes for Members’ information.  The report had been prepared to reflect the objectives of the Democratic Renewal Process to monitor the Scrutiny Committee function and performance.

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the report be noted.