Minutes:
Trading Standards had been undertaking sweeps of businesses to see if they were selling vapes to young people. It was noted that illegal vapes had been seized and the Board were reminded of the harmful amount of lead in vapes that could adversely affect brain development. As it stood, vapes could be legally given to young people free of charge if classified as a gift. Central Government was setting up a task force to look into problems concerning vapes and £3m was being allocated for this.
It was noted that a major concern in secondary schools currently was vaping. Public Health had developed a video along with the Council to highlight the dangers of vapes. This video was aimed primarily at parents and carers. It was agreed that the link to the video would be shared with the Board. The dangers of nitrous oxide usage was also discussed. The Chairman said that these discussions would have a bearing on what could be monitored in the new SBP Strategy. Consideration would need to be applied as to how relevant data could be monitored. The Chairman felt it would be helpful if fresh cascading could be undertaken each quarter.
There were issues with respect to VAWG that were currently flagged as ‘red’ that would need further investigation and addressing as appropriate. It was noted that the document referenced CCGs and that this information required refreshing as CCGs had been replaced by ICBs (Integrated Care Boards).
Learning was progressing with respect to domestic homicide reviews and there were currently three in progress. The Government was looking at the Council’s current reporting model and the Council were awaiting new guidance regarding this. It was commented that it could take four to six months for the Council to submit a DHR to the Home Office and it could take up to 18 months for the Home Office to sign off a report. A view was expressed that learning could be lost during this time frame. The Head of Trading Standards and Commercial Regulation said that some learning would be acted upon immediately. It was however the case that action plans developed by the Council while waiting for the final Home Office sign off and recommendations would sometimes need to be modified if additional recommendations were agreed by the Home Office.
It was the general consensus that the Home Office guidance needed to be reviewed including whether or not cases of suicide should fall within the remit of a DHR. It was noted that with respect to Public Health, DHRs would be discussed within their internal committees and actions implemented as soon as possible. It was agreed that the Board should write to the Home Office expressing their concerns with respect to the DHR review process and that if other boards could also write in a similar manner, then the argument for review would be strengthened.
With respect to hate crime, the board noted that the community safety website had been updated and it was planned to further update the website including hyperlinks to other websites and services.
It was agreed that a simplified method of reporting should be used going forward, one that used less paper.
RESOLVED that the Board should write to the Home Office expressing their concerns with respect to the DHR review process.
.