To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

Apologies were received from Sian Lines, Diocesan Board of Education.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Nil

The minutes of the last meeting, held on Wednesday 28^th September 2022, are attached for confirmation.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th September 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5pm on Thursday 10^th November 2022.

One public question had been received from Andy Stelman in relation to the Crowther Report.

The full text of the question and written answer provided are available from the web page for the meeting: Agenda for People Overview Committee on Wednesday, 16th November, 2022, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 5pm on Thursday 10^th November 2022.

There were no members questions.

To scrutinise partnership arrangements to identify and tackle all forms of child exploitation. To further scrutinise arrangements to support the victims of exploitation and to raise awareness of exploitation. (Report to follow)

Contact: Sonya Miller Tel: 01743 254264

Members received an in-depth briefing session from the multi-agency partnership looking into child exploitation in Shropshire. These included the role of the Chairman of the Shropshire Safeguarding Partnership, West Mercia Police, various teams within Shropshire Council, NHS Midlands Partnership and West Mercia Youth Justice Service. Each organisation gave an overview of their role within the partnership and their progress since the last presentation to committee in 2019. This multi-agency approach aims to achieve best practice and to build a safer community.

Members were also provided with the response of the Shropshire Safeguarding Partnership to the Telford enquiry in child sexual abuse and the way in which the services have developed in line with national learning, not just the Telford enquiry.

Several case studies were provided to demonstrate how the different partners work together for one outcome.

It was felt that there was a gap when it came to a specialist in psychological trauma and members noted that this was an aspiration of the partnership to include such a role in the near future.

Members were advised that training was available for licensees; whether that be a taxi driver or takeaway restaurant owner, to identify vulnerable people and refer them for further support from the relevant partner. An offer was made for a similar training session to be held for members so they gain an understanding of what it entails.

Members noted that scrutiny of partnership arrangements to identify and tackle all forms of child exploitation and arrangements to support the victims of exploitation and to raise awareness of exploitation would be take place at the meeting held in January.

A number of lines of inquiry were suggested, which would be discussed at the next meeting as part of the overall scrutiny of the arrangements.

To consider the future work programme of the Committee. Report to follow.

Contact Danial Webb – 01743 258509

The work programme had been circulated prior to the meeting.

To note that the next meeting of the People Overview Committee will be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday 18^th January 2023.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 18^th January 2023 at 1.30pm.