Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were receive from Councillor N Statham.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th September were approved as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor H Hadley and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

There were none.

There was no update from the Chair.

(Update on responses to the Reports of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee)

The Chair updated the Committee that they had attended Cabinet on the 10^th October 2024 to present the recommendations made by the Committee at the meeting on the 17^th September in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant where Cabinet  Agreed to the appointment of a nonpolitical role for an Armed Forces Champion whilst there are serving Members who are veterans.

(Discussion item)

There were none.

(To receive the Digest from Staffordshire County Council’s Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee and an update from County Councillor J Jones)

The Chair confirmed there was no digest to share and that in the absence of the County Councillor there was not update. It was highlighted that Members

can access the details of the Staffordshire Health Care and Overview Scrutiny Committee online. The minutes are available for the most recent meeting on the 23^rd September and the agenda for the next meeting on the 28^th October is available. The Chair confirmed that they would be attending the next meeting.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Cooperative Council, Community Partnerships and ASB)

The Chair welcomed the Partnerships Vulnerability Officer to introduce the report to provide a biannual safeguarding update to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

It was highlighted that the report was written in the name of the incorrect Portfolio Holder and should sit under the Portfolio Holder for People Services, Engagement and Leisure who had seen the report but had given apologies of for the meeting.

The Officer provided the Committee with a summary of the report.

The Committee made the following comments/observations and asked the following questions:

1.     Whether safeguarding training extending to waste collectors?

It was confirmed that face to face training was carried out with the waste partnership teams and safeguarding reports were received from the team when they had concerns.

2.     Whether Members could feed into the ASB Coordination group weekly meetings?

The Officer confirmed that Members could share any issues with the Community Safety inbox and that any ASB concerns would be picked up. Where ASB was prevalent in an area this could be identified as a hotspot to be monitored by patrol officers. It was highlighted that the Staffordshire County Council lead was engaged with around youth offending.

Members highlighted that some areas have local meetings and   concerns raised were forwarded on to the AD, Communities

3.     Whether increases in referrals were linked to more training?

It was confirmed that awareness is higher straight after training however regular prompts are sent out to keep safeguarding at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Where other training opportunities were received these were shared with managers to disseminate to staff who they may be relevant to.

4.     Whether training was offered to contractors?

It was confirmed that contractors are sent copies of what training is necessary to meet the requirements of the Council and quarterly updates were carried out with contractors on this.

5.     Whether safeguarding referrals could be reported anonymously?

It was confirmed that staff have the responsibility to make reports of any concerns, they are encouraged to be open and honest with residents where there are concerns around the need to make a report.

Members of the public may report concerns anonymously to the Council but this can be problematic as often more information is needed.

6.     Is Count Lines considered an issue within the Borough and what is being done in this area.

The Officer confirmed that County Lines is a very fluid and moves on very quickly, but that educating children and parents was key and lots of work goes on via the County to engage with parents and children and look at vulnerable children. Problems within the area usually involve children who have been placed in the Borough from Birmingham because of their connections to Birmingham.

Online exploitation is a larger issue, where again education is key and a lot of investment goes in to this within schools.

7.     Whether there is sufficient staffing/training budget in place in this area?

The Officer confirmed that they are the Safeguarding Officer and whilst they are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To provide any update on any working groups

There were none.

(Discussion Item - To review the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Plan)

The Chair confirmed that next meeting was scheduled for the 27^th November 2024 where an update was due on Damp and Mould from the Assistant Director Assets but that you are also planning to have a work planning discussion after the meeting.

(Discussion item – link to the Forward Plan attached)

Browse plans - Cabinet, 2024 :: Tamworth Borough Council

There were none.