Venue: The Board Room - Municipal Building, Widnes. View directions
Contact: Kim Butler on 0151 511 7496 or e-mail kim.butler@halton.gov.uk
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Chair's Announcements Minutes: The Chair informed Members of the Board that as per their request, the Police and Crime Commissioner would be attending the next meeting in February 2025, along with both the Police Chief Inspectors for Widnes and Runcorn. There would also be an item on the agenda regarding substance misuse from the Public Health Team. |
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Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2024 were taken as read and signed as a correct record. |
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PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Minutes: It was reported that no public questions had been received. |
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Minutes: Members of the Board received a presentation which provided an update on the Prevent Programme and delivery in Halton. The aim of Prevent was to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Members noted that the national security threat for the Country remained at substantial, the definition of which meant that attack was likely. Following the recent incident in Southport and the civil unrest seen across the UK, the Prevent work was prevalent. The presentation highlighted the following key areas: · The expectations of the Council: - completion of an annual benchmarking process; - preventative risk assessments and action plan; and - the Council do not receive any funding in relation to the Prevent Duty. · The resources the Council has in place: - Prevent leads/points of contact; - Prevent delivery group which meets quarterly; - a fully established Channel process; - a referral process; - a Council Prevent webpage – Council staff were encouraged to complete the Home Office Prevent Awareness Course; - venue hire guidance – a copy to be circulated to Board Members; and - participation in Liverpool City Region Prevent Network - work to increase awareness of the Liverpool offer across agencies including the voluntary and faith sector. · Training/awareness raising events: - Cheshire Police delivered an awareness session to Children’s Social Care Teams in September and would deliver the same session to Adult Social Care teams in November; - Liverpool City Council, Prevent Advisor - education awareness session on 19 November 2024; and - Dr Gareth Harris to deliver an Elected Members awareness session on 27 November 2024 – all Members were encouraged to participate. RESOLVED: That the Prevent Programme presentation is received.
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White Ribbon Update Minutes: Members of the Board received a report from the Executive Director, Environment and Regeneration, which provided an update on the approach to White Ribbon. In October 2023, Full Council received and approved a motion to protect women and girls from domestic abuse and on 18 November 2024, the Council obtained White Ribbon accreditation. Accreditation meant that Halton had a commitment to work towards transformational culture change in their staff culture, systems and communities. A Steering Group had been established which had developed an action plan which included a number of activities, including: · lighting the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridges for a week; · a social media campaign; · developing a workforce network of champions; · circulating resources for White Ribbon to staff, partners and Elected Members; · a series of lunch and learn sessions; · TED talk sessions on misogyny; and · 7 x 7 minute themed briefings to be circulated on Safeguarding Board websites. It was noted that Halton’s approach to White Ribbon recognised that domestic abuse was not limited to males being the perpetrator of harm. The Council was committed to working with those that harm to change behaviours and outcomes. The Community Safety Team had created a behaviour change programme for adults called “Choices” and in September alone, they had received 19 referrals. Referrals were received from a number of agencies which included social care and the probation service. A Board Member asked if any literature was available for victims who were frightened to report incidents of domestic violence. It was confirmed that literature was available and copies would be circulated to Board Members. Other alternative methods of help would be to speak to an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or the Samaritans. It was also noted that the Women’s Centre had recently been awarded some funding for a drop-in café which would support victims of domestic violence. In response to questions from Members the following additional information was given: · Halton had a refuge for victims and a piece of work was being undertaken to look at future requirements for provision in the Borough; · information shared at a recent Members seminar on domestic violence would be re-circulated for information; · an additional IDVA had been appointed for 12 months to work in GP surgeries and deliver training to professionals; and · Members to receive a further update in 12 months time. RESOLVED: that the Board notes the report and endorses the approach to White Ribbon. |