Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the revised Safeguarding Policy.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the adoption of the revised Safeguarding Policy, which had been updated to ensure it reflected best practice in safeguarding and incorporated recent updates to legislation and statutory guidance. This report was previously presented to, and deferred by the Executive on 9 January 2024, to address the removal of the central record for safeguarding.

Members were advised that there were two registers held separately for operational purposes but could be accessed at any time. This process had been in place for a number of years, but the policy changes had been made to reflect current practices.

Councillor M. Mitchell, as an opposition group leader, enquired on the two registers and how the information was updated on each.

Executive Members debated the report  and made the following points:-

·         whether the Safeguarding policy was in line with other local authorities; and

·         the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management had confirmed that any requested information on the central registers would be made available.

In response to questions raised by Members, the Environmental Health & Community Safety, Service Lead advised:-

·         both registers were continuously kept up to date and could be viewed at any time; and

·         the contents of the registers were regularly discussed at the safeguarding representative’s group and the Council was also part of the Devon Safeguarding group which shared best practices with other authorities.

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the revised Safeguarding Policy.