Agenda and draft minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 July 2025.

It was noted that an amendment was required to record Councillor Fiona Doran as having been present at the previous meeting held on 8 July 2025.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2025, subject to the amendment above, be approved and signed by the Chair.

To receive an update on the Domestic Abuse Strategy to encompass the Violence Against Women & Girls prevention agenda and proposed actions.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director: Public Health and the Service Delivery Manager: Public Health which provided an update on progress made against the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2023–2025 and the integration of Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) prevention activity within the refreshed approach.

Officers outlined the four-pillar approach of the current strategy which included Partnership, Prevention, Provision and Pursuing & Protection and summarised the significant achievements made since the introduction of the Strategy in 2023 including the establishment of the Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF), the development of the multi-agency DALP dashboard, the expansion and delivery of a comprehensive training programme across Council Partners, improvements to the Domestic Homicide Review processes and the completion of the Safe Accommodation Needs Assessment.

Members were provided with an overview of the work which had been undertaken within the prevention pillar including the expansion of the Community Champions and Workplace Ambassador programmes, the continued development of the White Ribbon campaign, the delivery of domestic abuse awareness and healthy relationships programmes across all primary, secondary and alternative education settings, and strengthened links with Safeguarding Teams. Officers also noted that training uptake from local businesses had been lower than anticipated and that new approaches were being explored.

In terms of provision, Officers reported that the integrated Domestic Abuse Service commissioned in 2023 had delivered specialist support for victims and families, a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service, support for children and young people, and increased safer accommodation capacity across the borough. It was highlighted that all services had become increasingly trauma?informed and that clearer integrated pathways had been developed for children, young people and adults, linking to services such as Family Connect, Strengthening Families, Adult Social Care, substance misuse services and housing.

As part of the work undertaken within the pursuing and protection pillar, Officers highlighted the increased engagement of victims in the criminal justice processes, the commissioning of perpetrator behaviour?change interventions, and an independent review of MARAC arrangements with actions now in progress.

Officers provided an update on the proposals for refreshed strategic commitments for 2026–2028, including strengthening existing perpetrator programmes, enhanced screening during and after pregnancy in partnership with SaTH and the expansion of White Ribbon activity during the 16 Days of Action. At the time of the meeting, work was also underway to improve safety for women and girls in the night-time economy through partnership activity including CCTV and taxi marshal schemes. Members were also advised that target?hardening measures, including a sanctuary scheme delivered with the Police and a Council?led pilot scheme for low to medium risk victims were being considered to support victims wishing to remain safely in their homes.

Members were informed that market engagement had commenced for the retendering of the Domestic Abuse Service from June 2026. Proposed changes included bringing the management of safer accommodation in?house to the Council’s Housing Solutions Team and the separate tendering process for the perpetrator programme tendered due to commissioning arrangements.

A part?time VAWG Prevention Lead had  ...  view the full minutes text for item COMSC9

The review the updated Work Programme for the Communities Scrutiny Committee.

The Lead Lawyer: Property & Commercial presented the updated work programme as set out in the agenda pack and highlighted that the next meeting would take place on 12 February 2026.

Members were informed that proposed items for that meeting included a review of the Community Action Team (CAT) programme and consideration of the Telford & Wrekin Skills Strategy, which aligned with work undertaken by the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

Members discussed the importance of shaping the scope of the CAT programme review, with the Chair noting the opportunity for the Committee to steer the focus of the item, assess progress to date, identify achievements and areas requiring further attention and contribute meaningfully to future development.

Members noted the update.

The Chair invited Members to consider any additional matters they wished to see included on the Committee’s work programme, noting that Members may have identified issues within their wards or broader community areas that could benefit from future scrutiny.

The Chair encouraged Members to bring forward any suggestions, highlighting that there was capacity within the forthcoming municipal year to explore further topics of interest or emerging concerns.