Issue - meetings

Report to follow

That the report be noted.

5.1       Geeta Subramaniam-Mooney, Director of Public Protection and Safety, presented the report to the Committee. During the discussion that followed, the following key points were noted:

·         The “one stop shop” model that the Athena service had provided had been very successful in terms of making it easier for people to access services.

·         Any new service commissioned would still need to meet statutory requirements, such as refuge beds.

·         There was a financial risk involved as currently the service was funded in part through a number of grants including through MOPAC; should external funding streams cease in the future, then the service would need to be reduced or the cost would need to be absorbed by the Council.

·         Lewisham had the sixth highest levels of domestic violence in London.

·         There would be a stronger focus on evaluating the impact and outcome of services provided under any new contract. This could include training assessments where individuals were asked to demonstrate what they knew before and after rather than just whether they felt they were better informed.

·         There would be a continued monthly contract monitoring as part of any new contract.

·         A member of the Committee asked whether the potential for CIL and NCIL money being used to bridge any funding gaps could be looked into. 

5.2       RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.