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Subject: |
Anti-Slavery Pledge – Extract from the proceedings of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee meeting held on the 24 September 2020 |
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Date of Meeting: |
22 September 2020 |
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Report of: |
Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law |
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Contact Officer: |
Name: |
Greg Weaver |
Tel: |
01273 291214 |
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E-mail: |
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Wards Affected: |
All |
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For general release
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Action Required of Council: To consider receive the report and the recommendations of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee.
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Recommendations:
(1) That Brighton & Hove City Council signs up to the Anti-Slavery Pledge and statement of intent as drafted; and
(2) That an elected Member be appointed to champion the work required under the auspices of the pledge. |
Brighton & Hove City Council
TOURISM, EQUALITIES, COMMUNITIES & CULTURE Committee
4.00pm24 SEPTEMBER 2020
VIRTUAL MEETING - SKYPE
MINUTES
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Present: Councillor Ebel (Joint Chair), Powell (Joint Chair), Rainey (Deputy Chair), Appich (Opposition Spokesperson), Nemeth (Group Spokesperson), Evans, Mac Cafferty, Mears, O'Quinn and Simson |
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Other Members present: Anusree Sasidharan, Joanna Martindale, Lola Banjoko and Nick May.
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MINUTE EXTRACT
PART ONE
26 Anti-slavery pledge
26.1 The committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director for Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities, which sought to provide on an overview of the work being coordinated locally by the Sussex Anti-Slavery Network and a briefing on the draft Brighton & Hove City Council anti-slavery pledge and statement of intent. The report was provided by the Exploitation Coordinator.
26.2 The Exploitation Coordinator clarified the aims of the report and noted that the effort to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking culminating in the anti-slavery pledge was commissioned by the Home Office to take effect across the country.
26.3 Councillor Simson referred to training for elected Members and enquired how soon these would become available.
26.4 The Exploitation Co-ordinator clarified that elected Member training was nearly finalised and that virtual meetings could be set up.
26.5 Ms Sasidharan sought clarification as to the methods of communication employed to convey this to the public.
26.6 The Exploitation Coordinator stated that the modern slavery and human trafficking info had been adopted by the City’s community safety and crime reduction strategy. It was noted that this was overseen every 2 months.
26.7 Councillor Appich referred to item 2.2 and sought clarification on the recruitment method and which committee this would be referred to.
26.8 The Exploitation Coordinator stated that the recommendation was to go to Full Council.
26.9 The Chair noted that the Administration would nominate someone.
26.10 Councillor MacCafferty sought confirmation of any work with statutory partners where possible and enquired of any ongoing efforts to engage with other groups that were also affected such as adults.
26.11 Nick May, Sussex Police, welcomed the anti-slavery pledge and that BHCC along with Sussex police were utilising modern legislation to combat the exploitation of children and other young people involved in county lines activity among others.
26.12 Councillor Powell emphasised the importance of communication of this. It was enquired if there was evidence of this following the vote for Brexit and during Covid.
26.13 The Exploitation Coordinator stated that during the Covid lockdown a number of women who were vulnerable had been criminally and sexually exploited throughout the major lockdown. It was further noted that it would be inappropriate to comment on Brexit.
26.14 RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:
(1) That full Council be recommended to agree that Brighton & Hove City Council signs up to the Anti-Slavery Pledge and statement of intent as drafted (appendices one and two refer); and
(2) That full Council be recommended to appoint an elected Member to champion the work required under the auspices of the pledge.