Agenda item

Ms Roberts referred to minute 64 of the Matters Arising report concerning the setting up of the DV and VAWG Strategic Group. It was noted that this group was having its first meeting in October, and that Superintendent Lawry would be drafting the Terms of Reference. It was noted that the MARAC Steering Group referred to in the matters arising report had now been set up.

Ms Roberts informed the Strategic Group that the DHR Task and Finish Group had met the previous day (14^th September). The 16 Home Office recommendations had now been completed, and would be sent to the Home Office after sign off from the SBP. 

A report on domestic violence and violence against women and girls was presented by Victoria Roberts, the Interim DV and VAWG Commissioner.

It was noted that the Bromley Domestic Violence Advocacy Project was provided by Victim Support, and that they had been tasked with providing a quarterly report based on 6 key data sets.

It had been identified that the main referral source was directly from the police, and most of the victims came from the 26-35 age range. Concerning postcodes, most of the referrals came from the BR5 and BR2 post code areas. In terms of crime type, the primary crime type associated with DV was assault with actual bodily harm.

The LBB Assistant Director for Public Protection wondered why there had been an increase in the number of referrals for domestic abuse. It was felt that the reason for this was not that DV was increasing, but rather that the service had been refreshed, and that there was now a greater awareness of how to report DV, and of the relevant support services that could be provided. The Chairman was also pleased to note the number of referrals coming from the ‘Bromley One Stop Shop’, and from self-referrals.

The Violence against Women and Girls Strategy 2016-2019 had been circulated to members of the Group by email prior to the meeting. Questions or comments from SBP Group members concerning the strategy should be emailed to Victoria Roberts by close of play on 30^th September 2016. It was anticipated that the Strategy would be launched on 25^th November, supported by public awareness campaigns. 

Ms Roberts referenced the report that had been looked at by the Executive the previous evening. This was the Gateway Review Report on Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls Services. 

The report outlined key recommendations and a proposed timetable for the commissioning of the Domestic Violence (DV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services in the London Borough of Bromley. The funding would be entirely dependent on the success of MOPAC bids that would be submitted. The current contracts expire on the 31 March 2017.

Members of the Executive were asked to:

·  Agree that officers market test the Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls Services, beginning a formal procurement process offering the service as a single contract from 1st April 2017, for an estimated total value of £220k per annum to March 2020.

·  Note that officers will be submitting an application for MOPAC funding for this service to cover the period April 2017 to March 2020.

The Strategic Group were informed that the recommendations were accepted by the Executive, and were confident that the relevant funding would be provided by MOPAC.

The Chairman asked if it was appropriate to increase public awareness concerning the Safer Bromley Van. Ms Roberts responded that she was aware of the relevant issues concerning the Safer Bromley Van, and that there were issues that needed addressing. It was the case that the SBV was behind in terms of referral targets. She suggested that more information concerning the SBV be brought to the next meeting. 

The Chairman was happy with the way that the various groups were progressing.

RESOLVED that the Domestic Abuse Sub Group update be noted, and that an update on the Safer Bromley Van be provided at the next meeting.