Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April 2021 were agreed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Briefing note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator and report of the Director of Public Health and Wellbeing 

Councillors A S Khan and P Akhtar, Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities have been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

Councillor P Akhtar, Deputy Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, introduced the item. The Committee then received a presentation on the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which outlined the following points:

·  The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 outlined a statutory definition of domestic abuse

·  It established in law the office of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and set out the Commissioner’s functions and?powers. It also established a Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board.

·  It extended controlling or?coercive?behaviour offence to cover post-separation?abuse. It explicitly recognised?children?as victims of domestic abuse if they?see,?hear?or experience the effects?of?that abuse?

·  It placed a duty on local authorities in England to?provide?support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges and other safe?accommodation. All eligible homeless victims of domestic abuse, were automatically given ‘priority need’ for homelessness?assistance

·  It placed the guidance supporting the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (“Clare’s law”) on a statutory footing?

·  Police were also given new powers including Domestic Abuse Protection Notices which provided victims with immediate protection from abusers, while courts would be able to hand out new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to help prevent offending by forcing perpetrators to take steps to change their behaviour, including seeking mental health support or drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

·  Timescales for the implementation of the Act were outlined

·  There had been increase in domestic abuse reported over the past year. This did not necessarily mean that there were higher levels of domestic abuse then pre-pandemic – it could have been that there were higher levels of reporting. Calls to the helpline 20% higher then pre-pandemic and reports to the police were up by 45%.

·  Support in the City was via services commissioned by the City Council was outlined. The services had been commissioned through relatively long-term contracts, up to nine years, to provide stability.

·  Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment had been commissioned to undertake the Coventry Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment. The needs assessment had identified a number of emerging gaps.

·  Representatives from Panahgar outlined the support they offer in Coventry.

·  The Committee noted that www.Safetotalk.org.uk is where to go signpost people for support in Coventry

Following the presentation, the Committee asked a number of questions and received the following responses:

·  The survey to inform the Needs Assessment had been widely circulated through partner agencies and sessions had taken place with domestic abuse survivors.

·  The Needs Assessment would help to build a comprehensive picture of need in the City.

·  The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 activities was part of the wider Domestic Abuse Strategy.

·  There was a focus on the prevention of Domestic Abuse, including through links with schools and early years.

·  There would be an annual report on Domestic Abuse. Members requested that this report come to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and contain benchmarking data.

·  Clarification on the membership of the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board was provided. The membership requirements had been met and there was good engagement from partners.

·  The provision of support to those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Report of the Chair of Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, Councillor N Akhtar

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee received the Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee:

1)   Accepts the content of the draft report at Appendix 1

2)   Recommends that Council consider the Scrutiny Annual Report 2020/21 at its next available meeting

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered their Work Programme for the current Municipal year.

RESOLVED that the following items be added to the Work Programme;

• A review of the application of Marmot Principles in Coventry
• Impact of Brexit

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no additional items of urgent public business.