Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Group Director of Operations requesting that consideration be given to the Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2024/29 (also previously circulated).

The submitted report outlined the background to the proposal to develop the Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2024/29, in order to assist the Council in recognising the harm domestic abuse causes within homes and communities and to keep all its tenants and household members safe from the impact of domestic abuse.  The policy set out the Council’s commitment to tackle domestic abuse in its homes and how it aimed to manage and support any cases.

Particular references were made to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which placed new duties on local authorities to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children could access the right support in safe accommodation, when they needed it, and the role Housing Services could play in tackling domestic abuse, being well placed to recognise the signs and support victims and survivors.

RESOLVED - (a)  That the contents of the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That the Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy 2024/29, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS – (a) The Housing Services Domestic Abuse Policy ensures the Council has a clear approach to supporting victims of domestic abuse within its homes.

(b)  The Regulator of Social Housing’s new Consumer Standards from April 2024, places a duty on social housing landlords to work co-operatively with other agencies tackling domestic abuse and enable tenants to access appropriate support and advice.

(c)  The adoption of a formal Domestic Abuse Policy is one of the ways to demonstrate how the Council will achieve this.?????