VULNERABLE children and adults in the area will continue to be safeguarded under an improved policy tabled by the district council.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the draft, which includes more action to combat domestic abuse, modern slavery, child abuse and radicalisation, at an executive meeting last Tuesday (June 2).
Coun Julian Roskams said he ‘broadly supported’ the idea and that it was time for the district council to take a ‘robust attitude’ towards the problems.
“We have seen the examples of other councils up and down the country where appalling abuse has happened and slipped through the net and we need to take a robust attitude towards it,” Coun Roskams said.
“It is very important this doesn’t become a box ticking exercise and that we fully understand the issues and recognise them.”
Coun Rebecca Massey, who moved approval on the item, added: “What this policy is setting out to do more than anything is broaden our awareness of what abuse is and those who are in power of others.”
A consultation on the draft proposal will now take place within the next quarter, with a policy expected to be ready by the end of the year.
Ivor Pumfrey, head of community services at the council, said: “It is an appropriate time to look again at the arrangements we have with local authorities.
“There have been some very unfortunate events well reported in the press where safeguarding arrangements have not worked effectively.
“That has been hugely damaging for those authorities involved and having looked at the reports they don’t make pleasant reading.
“We have picked up a number of issues of safeguarding that has led to appropriate action being taken, which is to our credit, but we can’t afford any complacency on this important issue.”
Coun Paul Cumming added: “We have all seen the media reports of school children being radicalised and potentially drawn into terrorist situations.
“While I don’t believe it will happen here, and hopefully it won’t, I think we have to recognise we should make every effort to ensure it doesn’t happen here.”
