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Dear colleague,
You will have seen the recent media coverage of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) latest annual assessment of county lines activity, in which the NCA identify there are over 2,000 individual deal lines running in the UK. We know there has been some excellent work carried out, by the police, local authorities and our partners, to disrupt these criminal networks. However, it is clear we still have further to go.
At a Home Affairs Committee session on 29 January, I spoke about the importance of investing in early intervention and prevention initiatives to tackle the root causes of serious violence and divert young people away from criminal exploitation. I was fortunate enough to see the value of this work first hand, when I visited the Ben Kinsella Trust site in Islington recently. Their youth guidance programmes and peer mentor support have been incredibly successful with primary and secondary school students. I know many of you have similar programmes set up in your local areas and it’s great to see these interventions taking place.
None of this work is achievable or sustainable without funding, and the LGA is emphasisng the urgent need for sustainable, long-term funding of our core services.
This is particularly timely as we know that Departments are putting together their bids for the upcoming Spending Review. I will continue to raise these points at the upcoming Serious Violence Taskforce meetings and with Home Office officials. Do get in touch if there’s anything you would like me to raise in future meetings or if you have any good case study examples we can showcase.
Cllr Simon Blackburn
Chairman, LGA Safer and Stronger Communities Board
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Stories
Draft Domestic Abuse Bill
The Government has published its Draft Domestic Abuse Bill and consultation response, as well as a briefing which outlines the economic and social costs of domestic abuse. The Government has confirmed a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament will be set up to examine the Bill before it is debated. In our response we highlighted the importance of funding vital earlier support services and prevention schemes to help stop domestic abuse occurring in the first place.
Foreced marriage consultation
The LGA has submitted a joint response with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to the Home Office’s consultation on preventing and tackling forced marriage. In it, we outlined councils’ concerns about introducing mandatory reporting on forced marriage and called on Government to refresh the current guidance.
Serious Violence inquiry
Cllr Simon Blackburn gave oral evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, as part of their inquiry on serious violent crime. In the session, Cllr Blackburn highlighted the importance of tackling the root causes of serious violent crime, through early intervention and prevention initiatives, which require sustainable and long-term Government funding.
Modern Slavery: National Referral Mechanism Reform newsletter
In October 2017, the government announced a series of reforms to the UK’s system for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The Modern Slavery Unit in the Home Office has launched a newsletter to keep stakeholders informed of its progress in delivering reform of the NRM. If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter, please sign up here.
Modern slavery: independent review of the Modern Slavery Act
In July 2018 the Home Secretary announced a review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 led by Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Rt Hon Maria Miller MP and Baroness Butler-Sloss. Their first report, into the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, was published in December and the second, into transparency in supply chains, was published in January: this recommended that councils with budgets over £36 million should publish statements outlining how they will eradicate modern slavery in their supply chains. The full review is expected to be completed by the end of March 2019.
Modern slavery: awareness raising resources
STOP THE TRAFFIK has created posters and leaflets that can help councils raise awareness of modern slavery, by highlighting the signs of exploitation to potential victims and signposting them to get relevant help and support.
‘Defying the cutting season’ parliamentary screening:
On 7 February Cllr Anita Lower, Chair of the National FGM Centre Advisory Group, and Leethen Bartholomew, Head of the National FGM Centre, spoke at a parliamentary screening event of a BBC Storyville Documentary on safe houses in Tanzania during the ‘cutting season’ where FGM is performed. The panel focused on prevention in the UK and Cllr Lower particularly highlighted the need for the National FGM Centre in light of the first successful conviction for FGM last week.
Conversations around culture and belief within the safeguarding context
The National FGM Centre is hosting a conference on Friday 8 March to explore the impact that culture and belief can have on parenting which may lead to a safeguarding concern; and how professional can work better with affected families. Speakers include Isabelle Trowler (Chief Social Worker Children and Families), Lisa Oakley (National Working Group – Child Abuse linked to faith or belief) and Laura Hamblin-Opaluwa (Researcher specialising in Child Abuse linked to faith or belief).
Independent review of Prevent announced
The Government has announced there will be an independent review of the Prevent programme. Further details of the review will be set out in due course, including about how stakeholders will be engaged. It will begin within 6 months of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill receiving Royal Assent and will report to Parliament within 18 months. The Bill has now completed Parliamentary scrutiny and is due to receive Royal Assent shortly.
Animal Health and Welfare Framework
The LGA has supported a newly published Animal Health and Welfare Framework outlining a set of practical principles to help county councils, metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities deliver their statutory duty to help local communities comply with laws that prevent the spread of animal disease and protect the welfare of animals. As we approach the UK’s exit from the European Union, this local regulatory role in the farming community will help provide the checks expected from international partners under trade agreements. Please contact Gwyneth.rogers@actso.gov.uk for more information.
Risk of winter deaths in large commercial and communal bins
The winter months bring an increased chance of people taking refuge in large commercial and communal bins. Following the death of a local man in Sunderland, the Coroner’s Office have asked the relevant waste industry bodies and LGA to raise awareness of this issue with their members. The increased risk of death or injury from unsecured large bins is something councils may wish to bear in mind during any inspections or visits they carry out to commercial premises. The detail of the Coroner’s report is not in the public domain but further information is available from hilary.tanner@local.gov.uk
DVLA moving from GSI to PSN
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has changed email address to @dvla.gov.uk, removing “.gsi”. You may still receive old style addressed emails until 31 March, but please use the new address to contact the DVLA.
Building Safety Forum
The LGA is holding a series of free, regional building safety learning forums in February with the National Housing Federation. Speakers include representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Hackitt implementation team, Early Adopter organisations which are testing new ways of working, and council teams adapting in light of post-Grenfell reform. Forums will be held in Birmingham (25 February), and Manchester (28 February).
Serious Violence Engagement Events
The Home Office is holding a series of serious violence engagements events. The next events will be held in Manchester on Thursday 14 February and in Nottingham on Thursday 28 February. Please email SVevents@homeoffice.gov.uk if you would like to register for a place.
Leadership essentials course – Fire and Rescue
The LGA has scheduled further leadership essentials programmes on Fire and Rescue in February. The two-day courses are aimed at elected members with responsibility for or an interest in Fire and Rescue and are free to attend.
LGA Diversity and Inclusion in the Fire and Rescue Services - Masterclass
Elected members of fire authorities have a key role to play in promoting cultural change. To promote this agenda the LGA is running a series of five events in the new year aimed at helping councillors with fire responsibility to promote their role in the context of this agenda.
LGA Annual Fire Conference and Exhibition 2019 - Brighton
12 March 2019 - 13 March 2019
LGA Leadership Essentials course on Prevent and counter-extremism
Darlington, 26-27 March 2019
Local authorities have a core role to play at a local level in safeguarding individuals vulnerable to radicalisation, and in protecting their communities from extremism. Building on highly regarded previous programmes, this new free two-day leadership essentials course for councillors will explore local delivery of Prevent and counter-extremism and the key role of local leaders in this work.
Open to all elected members, the programme will look at national and local approaches to Prevent delivery and counter extremism work; local threats; understanding radicalisation and effective safeguarding; emerging and evolving challenges; and effective leadership. For further information and to book your place, please contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk, 0207 664 3054
LGA responds to draft Domestic Abuse Bill
21 January 2019
LGA responds to report on scams targeting vulnerable people
15 January 2019
Reducing violent crime
Cllr Ian Hudspeth appeared at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ageing and Older People to discuss the challenges facing older people’s housing. The meeting was also addressed by the Shadow Housing Minister, Melanie Onn MP, as well as housing and care bodies. Cllr Hudspeth outlined the need to ensure appropriate housing developments for older people are factored into local plans at every stage.
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First Magazine - now online
'first' is LGA's membership magazine and is received as a hard copy by over 18,000 councillors and 400 chief executives. In a response to demand, we have made it easier to read online by creating a dedicated website to read all of its articles, interviews and opinion pieces.
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Both the hard copy and online pdf are still available to readers, and subscriptions can be amended online.
HIghlights of the latest issue include:
- New measures to support domestic abuse victims
- "Bigger fines needed on fake fags"
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