Agenda item - Award of MHCLG Funding for Safe Accommodation

Report of the Executive Director Housing Neighbourhoods & Communities (Copy Attached).

RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed;

(i) To spend the MHCLG funding as set out in paragraphs 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6 of this report.

(ii) That a simple tendering process is established as quickly as possible, to enable the existing contractors, and local providers with specialist DV experience to bid for a contract to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) in line with the anticipated costs set out in paragraph 3.5.

(iii) That a further report is provided to coincide with the end of the financial year, which should outline any future government announcement regarding funding for this role, and a report on the role of the IDVA, and its need, according to the findings of the Needs Assessment.

23.1 The Chair invited the Head of Safer Communities (Jo Player) to introduce the report.

23.2 The Head of Safer Communities introduced the report starting on page 41 of the Agenda.

23.3 Councillor Brown was informed that the Head of Safer Communities had received an interim report showing that there are gaps in the service, but as soon as the needs assessment is completed this will highlight more problems to be solved.

23.4 Councillor Simson was informed that there have been difficulties obtaining data to help officers produce the needs assessment, but work is taking place to obtain it. Councillor Simson was also informed that providers of services are being involved as part of the relevant bodies pertaining to domestic abuse.

23.5 Councillor Grimshaw was informed that:

·       The Council are working with RISE about the expression of interest indicated, and financial solutions would be looked at.

·       The Head of Safer Communities has provided responses to all Freedom of Information requests.

·       RISE have been invited to take part in the needs assessment and have provided some information, however this data will need to be cleansed due to GDPR.

23.6 Joanna Martindale was informed that the Lived Experience Board, whilst hosted by East Sussex Council, would work with local organisations to involve residents of Brighton and Hove. The Head of Safer Communities also confirmed that she could find out why the post was in the Council instead of the Community and Voluntary Sector, and would report back to Joanna Martindale with this information.

23.7 Councillor Evans was informed that:

·       The allocated BHCC budget of MHCLG funding would be ringfenced for domestic abuse services.

·       The Pan Sussex Partnership Board required in the Domestic Abuse Act would oversee the development of the strategy across local Councils, and that they are abiding by the law laid out in the Act.

23.8 Councillor Simson was informed that the Head of Safer Communities would find out whether the Partnership Board would implement a Pan Sussex strategy or if Brighton and Hove would be able to develop their own strategy, and would report back to Councillor Simson.

23.9 The Chair noted that there was a cross party amendment and invited Councillor Powell to move the amendment.

23.10 Councillor Powell moved the amendment on behalf of the Green, Labour, and Conservative Groups, which was jointly seconded by Councillors Grimshaw and Simson.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee agreed;

(i) To spend the MHCLG funding as set out in paragraphs 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6 of this report.

(ii) That a simple tendering process is established as quickly as possible, to enable the existing contractors, and local providers with specialist DV experience to bid for a contract to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) in line with the anticipated costs set out in paragraph 3.5.

(iii) That a further report is provided to coincide with the end of the financial year, which should outline any future government announcement regarding funding for this role, and a report on the role of the IDVA, and its need, according to the findings of the Needs Assessment.

That the Head of Safer Communities to:

·       Report back to Joanna Martindale about the decision-making process of why the Lived Experience Board was in the Council, not the community and voluntary sector.

·       Report back to Councillor Simson about whether there would be a Pan Sussex strategy, or it would be a local Brighton and Hove strategy.