Agenda item

Mark Norris, Principal Policy Adviser, introduced item six.  Mark stated that the report outlined issues of interest to the Board not covered under the other items on the agenda. 

Members then made the following comments:

Cllr Jo Beavis updated members that an emergency meeting for the National FGM Centre Advisory Board will take place on 6 December 2019, to discuss the ongoing funding issues (due to cease as of April 2020).  Member requested a briefing be circulated, and commented that whilst there have been some critics of the Centre not reaching a self-sustainable status, some public safety issues – such as FGM – are not easily fundable and do not appeal to grant-funding applications. 

Members also discussed modern slavery, the LGA’s ongoing work on this issue, as well as the increasing awareness of this crime within the media.  Cllr Alan Rhodes, Member Champion for Tackling Abuse, Exploitation and Modern Slavery, also updated members on his recent meeting with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (following the last Board meeting in September), and commented that this was a positive meeting, where next steps and actively working with the Commissioner’s office was discussed.

Decisions

1.    Members of the Board noted and commented on the paper. 

2.    A briefing of the National FGM Centre’s position be circulated to the Board.