Decision details

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

The Director of Public Health, Protection & Community Services provided a Verbal Update on the Safety of Women and Girls in Public Places following the tragic abduction and murder of Sarah Everard’s in London on the 3rd March 2021. 

 

The Director assured Members that keeping the people of RCT safe remains a key priority of the Council and its Partners and proceeded to outline some of those actions already in place to ensure the safety of people in RCT.

 

Members were advised of the investment of high quality, digital CCTV cameras following almost £400K of investment in the last three years.  Details were also provided of The Pub Watch scheme, Public protection orders and the Comprehensive Strategy in place for RCT already to tackle violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. 

 

The Director advised that following a request by Cabinet a review by the Council, Police and through the wider Community Safety Partnership was currently being undertaken to ensure strengthened collective arrangements were in place to keep women and girls safe in communities and in particular as the night time economy opens up in coming weeks.

 

The Deputy Leader referenced the positive work already undertaken by the Council and key partners in respect of ensuring the safety of all people within RCT and the need to work with key buildings and businesses to ensure staff are trained and able to recognise when a female is feeling unsafe.

 

The Leader referenced the importance of taxi marshals and the importance of registered taxis and also commented on the positive investment with CCTV which should be a reassurance to residents.  The Leader welcomed the review and any opportunities that might come forward as an outcome of the review.

 

With the agreement of the Chair, County Borough Councillor P Jarman addressed the Cabinet on this item.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.    To note the verbal update provided

2.    To receive a future report on the review currently being undertaken with partners in respect of safety of women in public spaces.

 

N.B.

 

 

 

1.    To note the contents of the presentation relating to the work of RCT Council in protecting the safety of women in public spaces within the County Borough.

Publication date: 25/03/2021

Date of decision: 25/03/2021

Decided at meeting: 25/03/2021 - Cabinet

Effective from: 01/04/2021