That the Safe Accommodation Strategy and action plan is approved.

That:

1)    The following decision of the Cabinet on 19 October 2021 (Minute 265(2)/10/21 refers) be rescinded:

‘full consultation on the Safe Accommodation Strategy and action plan is undertaken as part of the consultation on the new DASV Strategy. A wider DA Needs Assessment has been commissioned alongside the production of the Safe Accommodation Strategy Needs Assessment, these will inform and enable the production of a new Strategy for Domestic Abuse in Torbay. This new DASV Strategy will involve a full consultation process and therefore come back to Cabinet as will form part of the Council’s governance framework. Hence why at this stage it is recommended to approve this direction of travel ahead of full consultation next year;’

and replaced with the following:

2)    The Safe Accommodation Strategy be approved for public consultation.

That:

1)    the outline commissioning and action plan is approved in principle as set out at Appendix 1;

2)    full consultation on the Safe Accommodation Strategy and action plan is undertaken as part of the consultation on the new DASV Strategy.  A wider DA Needs Assessment has been commissioned alongside the production of the Safe Accommodation Strategy Needs Assessment, these will inform and enable the production of a new Strategy for Domestic Abuse in Torbay. This new DASV Strategy will involve a full consultation process and therefore come back to Cabinet as will form part of the Council’s governance framework. Hence why at this stage it is recommended to approve this direction of travel ahead of full consultation next year; and

3)    the progress on work to protect the safety of women and girls and to address sexual violence is noted and that the Council fully support not just the White Ribbon accreditation process, but encourage Officers and Councillors alike to become White Ribbon Ambassadors (men) or Champions (women).