Issue - meetings

Decision:

The Executive formally agreed the proposed responses and the reasons for those responses as set out in the table at item 5.

Reason(s):

Modern slavery was a serious crime that violated human rights. The Council as a public body had a duty to ensure that it was not complicit in modern slavery practice by utilising contractors who were breaching the Act. Implementation of the recommendations would make the council’s processes more effective in that regard.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

None.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (O&S) made recommendations to the Executive from time to time as it saw fit and the Executive was required to consider any such recommendations within a two-month period. Set out in the paper were recommendations arising from the O&S meeting held on 19 December 2023. The recommendations related to the council’s obligations towards tackling modern slavery. The council was required to monitor its own performance in this regard via an annual report which was received by O&S. The Executive was asked to agree to progress certain actions within sections 7.5-7.8 of the Annual Report on the Modern Slavery Motion which specifically related to the council’s procurement processes and these were set out in the paper along with suggested responses.

The Leader of the Council introduced the paper and welcomed the Chairman of the O&S, Councillor James Walsh, who was in attendance online. Cllr Walsh commended officers and the quality of the annual monitoring reports that had been received by O&S since Council’s adoption of the Modern Slavery Motion in 2018.

The Executive echoed the comments from Cllr Walsh. The recommendations were welcomed and described as sensible and would provide positive additions to the council’s robust approach to tackling Modern Slavery. It was noted that the council’s adopted standards in this regard extended externally via the procurement process to partners and service providers and so ensured the safeguarding of residents across the council’s activities.

The Executive expressed its gratitude to the O&S for bringing the recommendations and its commitment to a positive working relationship between the two bodies. Consequently, the Executive,

RESOLVED:

That the proposed responses and the reasons for those responses, as set out in the table at item 5, be approved.

Reason(s):

Modern slavery was a serious crime that violated human rights. The Council as a public body had a duty to ensure that it was not complicit in modern slavery practice by utilising contractors who were breaching the Act. Implementation of the recommendations would make the council’s processes more effective in that regard.