Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which sought approval to undertake a public and stakeholder consultation on the Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-29.  This had been developed following a comprehensive SafeLives Needs Assessment and extensive engagement with survivors, professionals, voluntary sector partners and statutory agencies.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Crook CC commended the draft Strategy, which built on existing work undertaken to support victims and encapsulated the voices of survivors.  Members agreed that the consultation would enable further refinement of the draft Strategy, which would also ensure that children were seen as victims of domestic abuse.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the draft Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-2029 (attached as Appendix A to the report) be approved for a twelve week consultation exercise;

b)    That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in July 2026 presenting the findings of the consultation and a final Strategy for approval.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION

Conducting a consultation will ensure that the final Strategy reflects the views of survivors, professionals, partners and the public, and demonstrates transparency and accountability.

Consultation will allow further refinement of the Strategy, ensuring that the lived experiences of victims and survivors, including children recognised as victims under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, are embedded into the final proposals.

Consultation is required to ensure the Council is meeting its statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including responsibilities relating to support for victims and survivors in safe accommodation.

Failure to consult may result in statutory non-compliance, insufficient alignment with survivor voice, reputational risk, and weak partnership assurance as well as operational and safeguarding risk.