Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities to submit a report:

1)    seeking approval for the Council’s Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults;

2)    highlighting that the Council is fully committed to its duties and responsibilities to safeguard vulnerable individuals through the adoption of the above Policy and actions, which will be taken as a result of the Policy being adopted.

DECSIONS

1)  Cabinet APPROVED the Melton Borough Council Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults.

2)  Cabinet DELEGATED authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities to review and approve any subsequent changes as a result of legislative or operational changes on a bi-annual basis.

Reasons for decisions:

A robust safeguarding Policy will support the Council to effectively discharge its statutory duties in relation to safeguarding. It will also ensure that a consistent approach to safeguarding exists across all Council services.

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Cabinet resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information.

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Councillor Alan Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities introduced the report the purpose of which was to seek approval for the Melton Borough Council Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults.

Councillor Pearson provided a brief summary of the report highlighting that the new policy combined both Children and Adults safeguarding and had been developed using established best practice and legislative requirements.  The policy outlined key roles and responsibilities whilst giving guidance on procedure and good practice and referrals and signposting to other agencies,  to ensure that the council acts in the best interests of vulnerable residents.

During discussion the following points were noted:

1. The policy would be subject to ongoing review to ensure there was flexibility and the ability to revise the policy in response to changes.
2. Members had received training with regarding the safeguarding issues as well as guidance on lone working as part of the induction.  Cabinet requested further training be provided on safeguarding, Prevent and County Lines as well as additional guidance on lone working for members undertaking their roles as ward members within their communities.
3. Cabinet requested that information which had been provided at the induction was re-circulated to members.

Councillor Freer-Jones proposed an amendment to recommendation 3.2 to include the provision for a bi-annual review of the Policy, this was seconded by Councillor Higgins.

Cabinet APPROVED the amendment, which became the substantive motion for debate.

DECSIONS (KEY DECISION)

1)  Cabinet APPROVED the Melton Borough Council Safeguarding Policy for Children and Adults.

2)  Cabinet DELEGATED authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities to review and approve any subsequent changes as a result of legislative or operational changes on a bi-annual basis.

Reasons for decisions:

A robust safeguarding Policy will support the Council to effectively discharge its statutory duties in relation to safeguarding. It will also ensure that a consistent approach to safeguarding exists across all Council services.

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Cabinet resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information.

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