Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Binnie, Pickering and St. John.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no members of the public and press present.

(a) Education of Looked After Children

      Young Champions Award Ceremony

It was reported that investigations into the possibility of the above event being sponsored were ongoing.

Information on progress would be submitted to April’s Scrutiny Panel.

(b) Carers Performance

It was requested that updated information relating to Carers Performance and Assessment be submitted to April’s Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the above meeting be received and agreed.

It was reported that the bid for Extra Care housing had been successful.

This was noted with pleasure.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the above meeting be received and the content noted.

Resolved:- That the minutes of meetings of the above Committee held on the dates indicated be received.

Further to Minute No. 107 of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee meeting held on the 11th February, 2005, discussion took place on the frequency of meetings for the Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:- That the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee be informed that members of the Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel would prefer its meetings to take place every four weeks.

Following an introduction to the subject by the Chairman, representatives from external Domestic Violence Projects were introduced. These included :-

·        the Choices and Options Project

·        Victim Support and

·        The Women’s Refuge

The purpose of the meeting was to examine :-

·        the impact of the domestic violence policy

·        Where there are gaps in services; and

·        what can be practicably done to address these

The Chair introduced the other officers who had been invited to contribute to the meeting and welcomed Andrea Staltmeier who is conducting a review on behalf of the Centre for Public Scrutiny.

Prior to presentations, the representative of the Women’s Refuge outlined the effects of domestic violence from the perspective of a woman and child.

The first presentation was by Helen Chambers, Community Safety Officer, which related to Corporate Domestic Violence Policy.

The presentation informed the meeting of :-

-          the policy and a summary of its progress since its launch

-          the Monitoring and Implementation Plan and progress on it

-          Consultation on the Plan and its findings

-          future work and gaps identified

In the second presentation, Sandra McNeill, the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator, gave information in respect of :-

·        national statistics and the situation in Rotherham

·        services provided in Rotherham, it being noted that Refuge provision was to be expanded

·        the support needed in Rotherham particularly for :-

o       secure funding

o       a Rape Crisis Centre

o       a Women’s Counselling Service

·        the role of the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator and work with groups such as an Injunction Group

·        Domestic Violence and children, particular reference being made to the lack of services for children

·        the key points arising from the above

In addition, members had been provided with a copy of the final report of the Scrutiny Members’ Domestic Violence Working Group.

Discussion took place on the impact of Rotherham MBC policies relating to domestic violence and officers present outlined the situation in respect of :-

(a) housing issues particularly in respect of access to suitable accommodation, tenancy agreements, support available and the homelessness situation;

(b) the Community Safety Strategy and the strategic approach to domestic violence; raising awareness of the subject was an ongoing process;

(c) Supporting People including involving Social Workers and voluntary agencies. The main concern was lack of adequate resources resulting in the need to prioritise the issues to be dealt with;

(d) improving awareness in schools of children suffering as a result of domestic violence and the importance of training in this respect;

(e) the Corporate Council view, better understanding of the problems by members and senior management, funding requirements, the work undertaken particularly in Social Services and the direct link between domestic violence, drink and drugs;

(f) work of the Rotherham Partnership in respect of domestic violence;

(g) the potential of progress being made on issues relating to domestic violence with the moves towards greater integration of Children and Young People’s Services.

Subsequent questions/comments including reference to :-

-          working closely with neighbouring authorities

-          arrangements  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.