Agenda item

The Chair introduced the report which outlined issues of interest to the Board not covered under the other items on the agenda.

Mark highlighted that the Chair would be giving evidence to the Bill committee regarding the Draft Victims Bill. The LGA had been speaking closely with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) to look at and highlight issues from a local authority perspective on victim services, and there is overlap with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. The Home Office has written to PCCs and chief constables about the commence timetable for the PCSC Act, but particular sections within the Act will also have an impact from a local authority perspective.

Lastly, the drug strategy framework published by the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), proposed local partners should put in place a combating drugs partnership at upper tier authority level, with a single point of contact who would be responsible for delivering against framework target. The proposed timetable for this is onerous.

Following the brief discussion, members noted that Cllr Alan Rhodes had recently spoken at an APPG on modern slavery regarding licensing of some high-risk sectors such as car washes.

Decision:

Members of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board noted the update paper.