Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The report outlines the latest review of Stockport Council’s Modern Slavery Statement (2022/23) and presents the refreshed iteration of the Statement (2023/24) for Cabinet’s comment and approval.

The Cabinet is recommended to approve and adopt the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2023/24.

Officer Contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the latest review of Stockport Council’s Modern Slavery Statement (2022/23) and presenting the refreshed iteration of the Statement (2023/24) for Cabinet’s comment and approval.

RESOLVED – That the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement 2023/24 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report sets out actions the council has already taken to ensure its supply chains are not linked to modern slavery, as well as further action it intends to take. It also briefly summarises the review process and presents the fourth iteration (2023/24) of the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, to cover the period up to 30 September 2024, and seeks the Committee’s approval to adopt that refreshed statement.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)  Consider the draft updated statement which will run to 30 September 2024.

(2)  Recommend that, subject to any necessary amendments, Cabinet agrees that the statement is approved for publication.

Officer contacts: Alan Lawson tel 0161 474 5397 or email alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out actions the council had already taken to ensure its supply chains were not linked to modern slavery, as well as further action it intended to take. It also briefly summarised the review process and presented the fourth iteration (2023/24) of the Stockport Council Modern Slavery Statement, to cover the period up to 30 September 2024, and sought the Committee’s approval to adopt that refreshed statement.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members requested that STaR procurement be asked to produce its own statement on modern slavery.  In response, it was stated that STaR was not an entity in its own right, but a joint committee. Nevertheless a commitment was made to explore and develop that suggestion.

·         In response to a question about training for staff and third parties on identifying red flag indictors for modern slavery, it was reported that training on modern slavery was in place for frontline staff.  Further consideration would be given to providing such training for Members as a valuable addition to safeguarding.

·         Members requested clarification in relation to the publication of the 2022/23 Stockport Modern Slavery Statement. In particular whether it would include links to previous versions of the statement which would demonstrate how it had improved over time.  It was suggested that, in so doing, the council would be seen to be acting in accordance with the principles contained within the Modern Slavery Act 2015 which recommended continuous improvement.

RESOLVED - (1) That the draft updated statement which was scheduled to run to 30 September 2024 be noted.

(2) That, subject to any necessary amendments, Cabinet be recommended to agree that the statement be approved for publication.