Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities seeking Members’ approval of the Safeguarding Policy: Children, Young People and Adults Policy attached at Appendix A to the report.

The Head of Community Safety and Customer Services introduced himself and presented the report to the Council. The report highlighted the Council’s statutory responsibilities for safeguarding Children, Young People and vulnerable adults as a second tier Local Authority under the Care Act 2014(i) and the Children’s Act 2004(ii). It was noted that Essex County Council was the statutory lead organisation for Safeguarding. Members were advised that the Council’s Safeguarding Policy had been refreshed and rewritten and the report detailed the key updates.

The Chairperson put the recommendations as set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

There was some discussion in response to a question regarding a requirement for all Members to have a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check and it was agreed that this would be raised outside of the meeting. It was confirmed that Members having a DBS check was not a legal requirement.

A lengthy debate ensued and in response to questions raised the following information was provided:

·                Officers agreed to provide Members with details of figures relating to the number of safeguarding cases dealt with by the Council.

·                There was a process for hirers of Council facilities to follow regarding submitting their own Safeguarding Policy and it was noted that if a user did not have a policy, they could adopt the Councils.

·                All Council Officers received safeguarding training as part of the induction process, however it was noted that the level of training depended on the individual role.

·                It was confirmed that all Suez staff undertook safeguarding training and a recent audit by the Council had required evidence to support this which had been received.

The Chairperson then put the recommendations to the Council, and these were duly agreed by assent.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the updated Safeguarding Policy at Appendix A to the report be adopted;

(ii)            That the Safeguarding Lead provides an annual safeguarding report to the Senior Leadership Team to support oversight and continuous improvement.