Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and described the fire evacuation procedure.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny meeting held on 12 January 2026 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Chair provided an update on items discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 28 January 2026, which included:

•         An update from the Executive Member for Public Health.

•         Final Report of the Community Cohesion review.

•         Artificial Intelligence Update

At the request of the Panel, a Representative from the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) attended the meeting to provide an overview of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as a key priority within the Police and Crime Plan.

The Panel heard that tackling VAWG was a central priority for the PCC and that this work was underpinned by a focus on prevention and education, improving justice outcomes for victims, and holding perpetrators to account. It was explained that this included working with Criminal Justice System partners through Local Criminal Justice Board arrangements to understand and address challenges relating to reporting, victim experience within the justice system, and limitations within policing powers, charging decisions, and judicial processes which affected conviction rates and outcomes for victims.  Members were given an overview of the 10-year Tees-wide Tackling Domestic Abuse Perpetration Strategy

Members were advised that improving safety for women and girls was one of the core priorities within the Police and Crime Plan with the following measures noted:

•         Use of preventative and protective orders

•         Recorded VAWG offences

•         Use of disclosure schemes

•         Arrest rates and positive outcome rates

Performance information was presented which showed that VAWG offences accounted for a significant proportion of recorded crime in Cleveland (22.5% of total recorded crime, 12 months to September 2025) It was noted that overall VAWG offences had reduced over the reporting period (an 8.16% reduction, -1,402 offences compared to the previous year).

During the reporting period, VAWG crimes linked to domestic abuse decreased by 4.47% (–403 crimes), while sexual‑violence‑related VAWG offences increased by 16.22% (+282 crimes).  Policing outcomes showed gradual improvement, with arrest rates increasing year‑on‑year between September 2023 and September 2025, including a 2.0‑point rise in the most recent 12‑month period.

In the 12 months to September 2025, the force received 2,566 Clare’s Law applications, representing a 12% increase on the previous year. 35.5% of applications resulted in a disclosure, reflecting ongoing preventative activity.

Voluntary and community sector services continued to manage high demand and increasing case complexity. In the same 12‑month period, services received:

•          723 referrals to the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service (5.5% increase)

•          8,518 referrals to the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate Service (0.2% increase)

•          34 referrals to the Independent Stalking Advocacy Service (3% increase)

Members were also provided with an overview of the PCC’s commissioning activity to support victims and vulnerable people, including both Middlesbrough‑specific and Cleveland‑wide services. This included advocacy, crisis intervention, specialist support for different cohorts, and targeted services for children and young people affected by abuse and exploitation.

The Panel was further advised of work underway to tackle perpetrators, including the development of a Tees‑wide multi‑agency Tackling Domestic Abuse Perpetration Strategy. It was explained that this strategy focused on addressing harmful behaviours, strengthening accountability, and improving workforce capability through a number of key workstreams, including data and insights, communications and engagement, workforce literacy and practice, and ‘intervene/disrupt/deter’ activity.

The presentation prompted wide-ranging discussion,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/5

At the request of the Panel at its previous meeting, the Panel received a presentation from the Council’s Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead, who provided an overview of White Ribbon and the requirements for White Ribbon accreditation.

Members were advised that the White Ribbon was an international prevention campaign focussed on engaging men and boys to challenge attitudes, behaviours and systems that underpinned violence against women and girls.  The presentation outlined the preventive and intersectional ethos of the White Ribbon, emphasising cultural change, allyship and shared responsibility in addressing harmful gender norms and expressions of masculinity.

The Panel heard that White Ribbon accreditation would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to preventing violence against women and girls through transformational culture change across its workforce, systems and communities and would support alignment with the government’s VAWG strategy.  Members were advised that accreditation required the development and delivery of a three-year action plan, supported by senior leadership, a steering group and a network of trained ambassadors and champions.

The steps required prior to application were outlined, including the appointment of a lead contact and strategic lead, establishment of a steering group and registration of ambassadors and champions.  It was stated that the Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead or the Domestic Abuse Coordinator would act as the lead contact for the accreditation process, and that the Chief Executive had recently expressed an interest in acting as the Strategic Lead.

Members were informed that White Ribbon provided a local authority action plan template covering strategic leadership, engaging men and boys, changing culture and raising awareness and that accreditation was intended to be a long-term commitment rather than a one-off exercise.  Members were also advised that, subject to White Ribbon’s approval of the local authority’s action plan, accreditation would be awarded for a three-year period, the associated accreditation fee of £995 was also noted.

A member queried whether Middlesbrough Council had previously held White Ribbon accreditation.  It was advised that the local authority had previously been accredited for a three-year period; however, the accreditation had lapsed due to capacity issues, including staff sickness, and the authority had not reapplied within the required timescales.  The member further queried how progress had been measured previously.  It was noted that evaluation arrangements had been limited and could have been stronger, and that consideration would be given to developing clearer key performance indicators as part of any new action plan submitted.

A member asked how many neighbouring local authorities currently held White Ribbon accreditation.  The Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead advised that there were none locally and undertook to provide members with a list of accredited local authorities.  The member further queried the relatively low uptake of accreditation, and it was suggested that this was likely linked to capacity constraints as not all local authorities had a dedicated Domestic Abuse Strategic Lead.  It was noted that Middlesbrough now had an opportunity to progress this work further with a Domestic Abuse Coordinator in post.

A member commented that it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/6

It was agreed that, following consideration of the further evidence, members would now develop Terms of Reference for the Violence Against Women and Girls review, focussing on education, prevention and approaches to perpetrators.  Suggested Terms of Reference should be submitted to the Democratic Services Officer, with formal consideration scheduled for the meeting on 13 April 2026.

The Final Draft Report of the Healthy Placemaking with a Focus on Childhood Obesity review was presented to the Panel.

Agreed that:

•         Any additional comments or suggested amendments should be submitted to the Democratic Services Officer by no later than7 March;

•         The final report, incorporating any agreed amendments, would be authorised by the Chair; and

•         The final report would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting on 18 March.

The next meeting of the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel had been scheduled for Monday, 13 April 2025 at 4.00 pm in the Mandela Room, Town Hall.

None.