Proposed by Councillor Lesley Rennie

Seconded by Councillor David Burgess-Joyce

Council welcomes the cash being given to Wirral by HM Government to support more victims of domestic violence.

Council congratulates those involved in the successful bid, including Wirral Women and Children’s Aid, which will enable the appointment of two new specialist support officers, to offer support on issues such as mental health and substance misuse; and six new units of safe accommodation will be made available to victims.

Council also welcomes the additional role that will include helping young people who may not recognise the symptoms of domestic abuse.

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Communities Minister, Baroness Williams of Trafford, inviting her to Wirral to meet with representatives of the organisations involved in tackling domestic violence and supporting victims.

An amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Janette Williamson

Seconded by Councillor George Davies

Delete last paragraph and replace with:

‘Council recognises the hard work of our officers and the staff of Wirral Women’s and Children’s Aid in successfully securing funding from central Government for helping victims of domestic abuse, and Council fully supports Wirral’s pledge of zero tolerance to domestic abuse and its recent Lover not Fighter campaign which is aimed at raising awareness around domestic abuse and its effect on children. Council welcomes the recent government defeat in the Court of Appeal over their attempts to restrict access to Legal Aid to victims of domestic abuse. However, Council notes with grave concern the continued and sustained reduction in Local Government funding by the Conservative government together with cuts to the police and the third sector, and draconian Welfare Reforms, are having a deeply damaging effect on both victims of domestic abuse and the funding and delivery of services designed to help victims find support and independence. Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Communities Minister, Baroness Williams of Trafford asking her to lobby her own government against subjecting Wirral Council to further cuts, and ask that further funding be given to develop and protect our vital domestic abuse services.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9 the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (40:19) (One abstention).

The substantive motion, as amended, was put and carried (40:19) (One abstention).

Resolved (40:19) (One abstention) –

(1)  Council welcomes the cash being given to Wirral by HM Government to support more victims of domestic violence.

(2)  Council congratulates those involved in the successful bid, including Wirral Women and Children’s Aid, which will enable the appointment of two new specialist support officers, to offer support on issues such as mental health and substance misuse; and six new units of safe accommodation will be made available to victims.

(3)  Council also welcomes the additional role that will include helping young people who may not recognise the symptoms of domestic abuse.

(4)  Council recognises the hard work of our officers and the staff of Wirral Women’s and Children’s Aid in successfully securing funding from central Government for helping victims of domestic abuse, and Council fully supports Wirral’s pledge of zero tolerance to domestic abuse and its recent Lover not Fighter campaign which is aimed at raising awareness around domestic abuse and its effect on children. Council welcomes the recent government defeat in the Court of Appeal over their attempts to restrict access to Legal Aid to victims of domestic abuse. However, Council notes with grave concern the continued and sustained reduction in Local Government funding by the Conservative government together with cuts to the police and the third sector, and draconian Welfare Reforms, are having a deeply damaging effect on both victims of domestic abuse and the funding and delivery of services designed to help victims find support and independence. Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Communities Minister, Baroness Williams of Trafford asking her to lobby her own government against subjecting Wirral Council to further cuts, and ask that further funding be given to develop and protect our vital domestic abuse services.