Agenda and minutes

The following nominations were received and seconded:

·  Councillor W Qais (Conservative Group nomination).

·  Councillor S Sheshabhatter (Green Group nomination).

resolved

That, Councillor W Qais be elected Chairman for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

The following nominations were received and seconded:

·  Councillor P Hogarth MBE (Conservative Group nomination).

·  Councillor S Sheshabhatter (Green Group nomination).

resolved

That, Councillor P Hogarth MBE be appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

It was recorded that Councillor M Brain was a Member of the West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group for Domestic Violence.

There were no questions or deputations.

To provide a summary update of domestic abuse and against compliance with new duties from the Domestic Abuse (DA) Act 2021.

In attendance: Ruth Tennant - Director of Public Health and Commissioning (and Chair of the Solihull Domestic Abuse Partnership Board); Councillor D Howell – Communities & Leisure Portfolio; and Councillor K Grinsell - Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing Portfolio.

The Director of Public Health and Commissioning (and in her capacity as Chair of the Solihull Domestic Abuse Partnership Board) submitted a detailed update to the Board to inform Members of the progress made towards the new duties brought into effect by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

In summary, the key work streams included:

·  Transition of an existing multi-agency group into the statutory Domestic Abuse Partnership Board.

·  Completion of a Needs Assessment to assess the demand for DA safe accommodation.

·  Publication of Solihull’s 2022-2025 Domestic Abuse Strategy, detailing the Partnership’s approach for identifying and meeting the needs of DA safe accommodation.

·  Commissioning of a new BAME 6-bed refuge, together with the submission of a planning application to support a larger Housing of Multiple Occupancy licence.

·  Commissioning of dedicated children’s support within refuges to achieve compliance.

·  Commissioning of specialist Housing Advocates who will work directly with victims.

·  Ongoing compliance with detailed data reporting requirements to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Having considered the report, the Board asked the following questions and made the following observations:

·  The increase in domestic abuse was clearly of concern. Officers were asked if any lessons had been learnt from previous strategies to ensure success with the current approach. The Director of Public Health and Commissioning highlighted that the Act brought into force a statutory responsibility and, with that, came a funding stream to support the delivery of new and strengthened services. The Board was also advised that work was also being undertaken to increase confidence amongst victims to report domestic abuse. The perception was that domestic abuse was historically under-reported. A number of initiatives to support this service improvement was verbally reported.

·  The Board highlighting that attempting to contact the Police via either 101, or their live web-chat, to report domestic abuse could deter victims as the perceived performance of those two methods of police contact was still poor as waiting times were lengthy for calls to be answered. Members considered that this would have a direct effect on the under-reporting of domestic abuse. Officers were asked if there was any other way for victims of domestic abuse to contact the Police quickly and effectively (other than 999). The Director of Public Health and Commissioning advised that she would follow this up with Police colleagues at the Solihull Domestic Abuse Partnership Board.

·  Members asked what work was being undertaken to ensure that the placement of refuges in residential areas was a success for both the victims of abuse and the existing community. The Director of Public Health and Commissioning advised of the safeguards brought about by the town planning requirements for houses of multiple occupancy. Housing for victims of abuse was often very discrete, by necessity, which lessoned  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a full appraisal of Solihull’s involvement in the delivery of the Games and to review the potential legacies for the Borough going forward.

In attendance: Mrs Alison McGrory (Assistant Director – Communities & Partnerships); Ruth Tennant - Director of Public Health and Commissioning; and Councillor K Grinsell - Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Partnerships and Wellbeing Portfolio.

The Assistant Director – Communities & Partnerships submitted a detailed report to give a full appraisal of Solihull’s involvement in the delivery of the Games and to highlight a number of potential legacies for the Borough. The report was complimented by a short video, which was shown in parallel with the consideration of the written report.

In summary, the report highlighted:

·  Key Project work streams in the build up to the Games – which included service area specific updates for Transport, Highways & Infrastructure; Regulatory & Enforcement; Resilience; Street Scene; Inclusion & Communities; Economy & Tourism; and Health Protection.

·  Queens Baton Relay – details of the route for the Baton that would travel through the majority of the Borough and all associated community and Town Centre events.

·  Events Programme – established alongside key Partners to create a programme that would be accessible to all residents and communities.

·  Engagement Plans – a number of drop-in sessions had been arranged to answer questions and capture feedback from residents, communities and businesses.

·  Legacy Objectives – a number of objectives for Solihull had been aligned to the Games to help the region to “grow and succeed”, “put Solihull on the global stage”, “improve health and wellbeing”, and to “bring people together”.

Having considered the report, the Board asked the following questions and made the following observations:

·  The Board highlighted that both the NEC and the Airport were situated within Solihull, rather than Birmingham. The Council, wherever possible, should promote that to ensure the Borough “is put on the map”. It was considered that the route of the Queens Baton Relay would help with that national recognition.

·  The Board sought assurances that the current reported difficulties with air travel would not impact on the timely arrival of athletes and visitors.The Assistant Director – Communities & Partnerships confirmed that meetings with the Airport Company were regularly held to ensure the successful delivery of the Games. All arriving athletes would be processed at the NEC itself.

·  Members asked if there was any indication at this stage of the number of hotel bookings within Solihull. The Assistant Director – Communities & Partnerships confirmed that an enormous amount of work was being undertaken to promote tourism within the Borough and that work included the promotion of the Borough’s hotel trade. Those hotels located near to the NEC itself would house some of the athletes for the duration of the Games.

·  Members highlighted that whilst it was pleasing to note that the Baton Relay would be within the Borough for an entire day, it was disappointing that some Wards had not been included in the overall route.The Assistant Director – Communities & Partnerships advised the final route was determined and approved by the Organising Committee against their own criteria.

·  The report highlighted that the Games would be broadcast on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider and approve the Boards Work Programme for the remainder of 2022/2023.

The Boards draft Work Plan was submitted for consideration and approval. The Plan highlighted a number of topics for consideration during 2022/23, and a proportion of the Plan was also set around the requirement to act as the statutory “Crime & Disorder Committee”.

In considering the Work Plan, a Member suggested that the Strategic Assessment of the Third Sector should also be included for consideration as a topic this year. The suggestion was unanimously supported.

resolved

That, the Board:

(i)  Approves its Work Plan for 2022/23, as submitted, and subject to the inclusion of the Strategic Assessment of the Third Sector.