Lead Member: Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care

Lead Officer: Wendy Bulman, Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy 2026-2029 (Appendix 1) and recommended its approval to Full Council

2.     Noted that delivery of the Strategy will be overseen by the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board through an accompanying action plan, with regular monitoring and review by the Community Safety Partnership.

The Portfolio Holder for Social Care presented the report, noting the statutory requirement under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the need to update the previous 2018 strategy to reflect legislative changes, updated needs assessments and learning from domestic homicide reviews.

Members were advised that the Strategy had been developed collaboratively with partners, informed by public consultation and input from individuals with lived experience. It adopts a whole-system approach, balancing prevention, protection and accountability across victims, perpetrators, the workforce and the wider community.

Members welcomed the Strategy but raised questions regarding the scope of consultation, representation of specific groups, and the balance between prevention and treatment activity. The importance of early intervention, partnership working and public awareness was emphasised.

Clarification was also provided that delivery would be supported through existing resources, including ring-fenced government grant funding, and overseen through established governance arrangements.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy 2026-2029 (Appendix 1) and recommended its approval to Full Council

2.     Noted that delivery of the Strategy will be overseen by the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board through an accompanying action plan, with regular monitoring and review by the Community Safety Partnership.