Agenda item

Councillor Steve Allsopp will move:

“This Council:

·       Notes that Police Forces in the South West saw a 5% increase in intelligence reporting of modern day slavery in 2017 and the Global Slavery Index has estimated there are 136,000 victims of modern day slavery in the UK. 

·       Recognises the role it can play in proactively preventing modern day slavery, particularly through vetting our supply chain and notes that many councils across the country have signed up to the “Charter Against Modern Slavery”, led by the Co-operative Party.

·       Requests the Leader of the Council bring a report to Cabinet outlining how  the Council can meet the requirements within this charter, which includes:

1.     Training our procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

2.     Requiring contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance.

3.     Challenging any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

4.     Highlighting to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

5.     Publicising its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

6.     Requiring its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

7.     Reviewing its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

8.     Highlighting for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

9.     Referring for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

10.  Reporting publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.”

Councillor Steve Allsopp moved and Councillor Jim Robbins seconded:

“This Council:

·         Notes that Police Forces in the South West saw a 5% increase in reporting of modern day slavery in 2017 and the Global Slavery Index has estimated there are 136,000 victims of modern day slavery in the UK. 

·      Recognises the role it can play in proactively preventing modern day slavery, particularly through vetting our supply chain and notes that many councils across the country have signed up to the “Charter Against Modern Slavery”, led by the Co-operative Party.

·     Requests the Leader of the Council bring a report to Cabinet outlining how  the Council can meet the requirements within this charter, which includes:

1.     Training our procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

2.     Requiring contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance.

3.     Challenging any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

4.     Highlighting to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

5.     Publicising its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

6.     Requiring its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

7.     Reviewing its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

8.     Highlighting for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

9.     Referring for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

10.  Reporting publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.”

          Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor Tim Swinyard seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council welcomes the passing of the Modern Slavery Act by a Conservative led Government in 2015.

This Council commits to comply with the spirit and letter of that Act.

The Council notes that developments to date have included:

·     The Cabinet Member booked onto a Local Government Association Sponsored Course on Modern Day Slavery Disruption and Community Safety.

·     Swindon Borough Council being part of a pan-Wiltshire Anti-slavery Partnership Board.

·     Swindon Borough Council Community Safety lead chairing a Victim Services task and finish group to create a response plan for victims and survivors to provide short-term support.  This resulted in an off-the-shelf package that instructs all relevant parties in Swindon and Wiltshire in how to respond to operations that identify victims of modern slavery and trafficking.

·         The work on the response plan leading to Swindon Borough Council being invited to the London Mayor’s office to present the work to London Boroughs as best practice.  Swindon Borough Council were the only non-London Borough in attendance.

·         During police operations to support victims of slavery and trafficking through the National Referral Mechanism, Swindon Borough Council coordinating the response of partners, including charities, and provide infrastructure to enable that support. This is done through the Community Safety Team.

·         The Council has run weeks of action such as high quality media campaigns to raise the public’s awareness regarding modern slavery and related issues.

·         Training around sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, adults and children is also undertaken by relevant staff.

The Council requests that the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member keep this matter under review to ensure that we continue to be compliant.”

          With the agreement of the Council and the mover and seconder of the Motion, the Motion was amended to read:

“This Council:

·         Notes that Police Forces in the South West saw a 5% increase in reporting of modern day slavery in 2017 and the Global Slavery Index has estimated there are 136,000 victims of modern day slavery in the UK. 

·      Recognises the role it can play in proactively preventing modern day.  

·     Requests the Cabinet Member bring a report to Cabinet which includes consideration of:

1.  Training our procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

2.   Requiring contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance.

3.   Challenging any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

4.   Highlighting to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

5.   Publicising its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

6.   Requiring its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

7.   Reviewing its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

8.   Highlighting for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

9.   Referring for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

10.  Reporting publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.”

          The amended Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.