The Chair invited Councillor Chris Carubia to introduce a report which set out the findings and recommendations arising from the Modern Slavery Scrutiny Review.

The Review Panel, which consisted of Councillors Chris Carubia, Christina Muspratt and Tom Usher, was chaired by Councillor Carubia.

The review was conducted over a number of meetings held with relevant Council officers, attendance at Modern Slavery conferences and a review of briefing papers, documents and publications from other local authorities and public bodies. The Review Panel’s objectives in doing this work were to understand the implications of the Modern Slavery Act for Wirral Council and its partners and to present a series of recommendations designed to shape or influence Council policy on modern slavery.

The report provided a number of recommendations which the Review Panel believed would assist the Council in tackling Modern Slavery in Wirral.

Councillor Carubia thanked those Members and officers who had participated in the review and the Chair echoed these comments.

Members welcomed the Review and its recommendations and the need to maintain contacts with organisations who might be in contact with people who may be vulnerable to the issues around modern slavery. A member suggested that the review should be ongoing with a formal report brought back to the Committee in 12 months’ time.

Another Member expressed support for the Review and the need for ongoing monitoring to continue to shine a light on the evil practices of modern slavery as there was probably an awful lot going on beneath the surface of which the Council was unaware.

There was also a need to look at training for Councillors on this issue and the Chair suggested that in addition to the recommendations, the Committee should keep the item on its work programme to ensure regular monitoring of the impacts of the Modern Slavery Strategy and the action plan.

On the motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Allan Brame, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the Committee support the contents and recommendations of the Scrutiny Report, ‘Modern Slavery.

(2)  That the report be referred to the next appropriate Cabinet meeting.

(3)  That the item be kept on the work programme to ensure regular monitoring.