Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies

No apologies for absence

To receive any declarations of interest

No declarations of interest

To confirm the minutes of the joint committee meeting held 26 January 2021

The minutes of the joint committee meeting held with the Gloucestershire Health Scrutiny Committee on 26 January 2021 were noted and agreed as a correct record of that meeting.

An update from the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, (Gloucestershire County Council), on matters relating to public health, including the response to the COVID-19 Emergency.

A Covid-19 intelligence summary update will be circulated prior to the meeting to provide members with the latest information.

Members received a detailed update from the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, (Gloucestershire County Council), on matters relating to public health, including the response to the COVID-19 Emergency.

A Covid-19 early warning indicator update was presented at the meeting, providing members with the latest information.

Members received an update of the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill, published in January 2019. The Bill outlined 123 commitments, both legislative and non-legislative, designed to:

•      promote awareness of domestic abuse

•      protect and support victims and their families

•      transform the justice process to prioritise victim safety and provide an effective response to perpetrators

•      and to drive consistency and better performance in the response to domestic abuse across all local areas, agencies and sectors

At the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on 5 January 2021, several additional recommendations/considerations were made, including; extending the statutory duty on Local Authorities to include community-based support services. The Bill would be considered at the House of Lords (committee stage)  before proceeding to the third reading and any amendments prior to receiving Royal Ascent. It was expected that the statutory duties outlined in the Bill/ Act would come into force in April 2021.

Main Statutory Duties of the Domestic Abuse Bill

The Domestic Abuse Bill will place a statutory duty on tier 1 local authorities to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation, with the aim of achieving consistency across England. It is noted that currently the duty does not extend to the provision of community-based support for victims of domestic abuse.

The main requirements under the statutory duty are to:

• Convene a Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board
• Complete a Needs Assessment
• Develop a Domestic Abuse Strategy and commission appropriately
• Monitor and Report to Government
• LAs to have regard to Statutory Guidance in exercising the above functions
• Tier 2 local authorities to co-operate with tier 1 local authorities

The committee was informed that Gloucestershire was well placed to implement the Bill and statutory duties, with the work being led by Tina Hemingway (Outcome Manager) and Sophie Jarrett (County Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategic Coordinator). All requirements had been considered and appropriate actions taken. The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Commissioning Group would oversee the required activity and reconvene as the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board.  

Rapid research proposal

Rapid insight research had been commissioned to better understand attitudes and behaviours relating to self-isolating and accessing COVID-19 testing. This qualitative research to target critical workers (those who cannot work from home) who live in areas of high deprivation and/or near to a community testing site. It sought to develop:

• A clear understanding of the motives, barriers and implications of self-isolating and/or testing in different scenarios
• A clear qualitative insight into the needs and solutions to influence residents to comply with self-isolating and access testing
• Insight-led recommendations for incentives/solutions that will influence and encourage compliance with the 4 desired behaviours

A research report would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

An update from the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, (Gloucestershire County Council), on matters relating to adult social care, including the response to the COVID-19 Emergency.

The committee received an update from the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, (Gloucestershire County Council), on matters relating to adult social care, including the response to the COVID-19 Emergency.

The report was noted.

An update on matters relating to the delivery of services within the Chief Fire Officer, (Gloucestershire), portfolio of services, comprising; Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards, Civil Protection and Coroners Services.

The committee received a detailed update on matters relating to the delivery of services within the Chief Fire Officer, (Gloucestershire), portfolio of services, comprising; Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards, Civil Protection and Coroners Services.

The update was noted.

To review the work of the committee 2017-21 and make suggestions on possible items for scrutiny for the new committee to consider post the council elections in May 2021.

Dates of future meetings:

22 June 2021 (induction meeting)

6 July 2021

7 September 2021

9 November 2021

The committee noted the items of scrutiny that had been considered during the previous four years and invited to submit any suggestions on items for consideration by the new committee after the council elections in May 2021.