Agenda and decisions

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 3 October 2023 and 6 December 2023 be agreed as accurate records of proceedings.

RESOLVED: That the minutes arising from the final meetings of the Community Food Growing Task and Finish Group and the Workspaces Task and Finish Group be agreed as accurate records of proceedings.

None

RESOLVED: That Thames Water be asked to return to the Committee in a year’s time to address the implementation of three of the Committee’s previous recommendations with Lewisham-specific data; and that answers be provided to the two questions asked by the Vice Chair.

RESOLVED: That a referral be made to Mayor and Cabinet formally requesting that members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are notified of any property disposals at the same time that the members representing the ward in which the property is situated, are informed.

RESOLVED: That a referral be made to Mayor and Cabinet recommending the following:

Strategy - That the Council should establish a high-level, corporate level, trauma-informed approach to delivering its services, linked to the developing People and Organisational Development Strategy and translated locally into operational policies and procedures, which builds on existing practice. This should give specific consideration to:

-       Experience of residents
-       Experience of resident facing staff
-       Overall workforce
-       Partners and contractors.

Training – That (a) appropriate training be rolled out to all staff and its effectiveness evaluated after 6 months and (b) the council’s partners (via the Local Strategic Partnership) and contractors be encouraged to offer trauma informed training to their staff.

Language and behaviours – That frontline services review the language they use in interactions with residents so that it is relatable, humane, inclusive, clear and transparent, and avoids unintentional re-traumatisation and takes a person-centred approach, including listening to service users.

Support - That the wellbeing of staff and elected members who regularly interact with distressed and traumatised residents is prioritised and supported, with the support that is available communicated clearly.