Agenda item

MODERN SLAVERY UPDATE REPORT

Minutes:

The report on Modern Slavery was introduced by the Partnerships Manager who outlined Section 54 of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2018/19 that required organisations above a certain size, which supplied goods or services, to prepare and publish an annual Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.

 

Continuing it was explained the Borough Councils ‘Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2018 (approved by the Executive Management Team and the Portfolio Holder of Community Safety and Wellbeing in May 2018) set out actions to recognise all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and corporate activities and the steps in place to help ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business or its supply chains. It has subsequently been incorporated as a statement of best practice.

 

The Borough Council, as part of its procurement, contracting and contract review processes would endeavour to ensure that all suppliers of strategic, high value, high risk agreements were monitored and supported by use of an ongoing monitoring process.

 

The Borough Council was committed to a zero tolerance of slavery and human trafficking and would also ensure that any tendering activity included statements to ensure compliance to this Act and aimed to reduce the risk of modern slavery in its supply chain by:-

 

·        Where appropriate require key contractors to have safeguarding policies, procedures and training in place, in addition to providing compliance with the Modern Slavery Act

 

·        Consider modern slavery factors when making procurement decisions

 

 

·        Include modern slavery criteria in specification and tender documents where appropriate

 

·        Consider modern slavery factors when evaluating specifications and tenders.

 

Any supplier or potential supplier who did not adhere to the values of the legislation or was found not to be compliant would be suspended and removed from the Councils supplier list and not considered for future supply unless they were able to demonstrate full adherence with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act.

 

There were also a number of policies considered key in meeting the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act including:-

 

Safeguarding

Recruitment

Agency Workers

Pay

Employee Code of Conduct

Whistleblowing

 

Members raised a number of questions in relation to the practical application and enforcement of the Statement which were addressed by the Partnerships Manager and included:-

 

·        What method would the Borough Council use to determine if a supplier was in contravention of the policy – This was reliant on intelligence being received and professional curiosity and as such  empowering employees to report suspicions and/or whistle blow

 

·        Any changes to Council policy subsequent to the resolution being made? – Reference was included in the invitation to tender and subsequent commissioning documentation

 

·        How is the Statement being promoted to staff? – It is included in safeguarding training and is highlighted to certain groups of employees such as Environmental Health Officers.

 

The Chair emphasised the many facets that modern day slavery may have, questioned the reporting mechanism and the need for effective controls within contracts.

 

In terms of Council Champions, the Chief Executive is considered to be the responsible officer with support from the Business Improvement and Partnerships Teams.

 

Councillor Holland, as Portfolio Holder confirmed that, under the scheme of delegation, for smaller companies, scrutiny of adherence to the Statement would be reported to the officer whilst it would be the Portfolio Holder for larger contracts.

 

Agreed:         That the comments of members would be taken into account when the Statement was revised in 12 months’ time.

Supporting documents: