This report update Members on the new Domestic Abuse Act and the new duties for local authorities including TMBC.  It also makes a recommendation on the use of the new burdens funding attached to the new legislation.

(Joint report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive)

The report provided an update on the new Domestic Abuse Act and the new duties for local authorities, including Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.  There was also a recommendation on the use of the new burdens funding attached to this legislation.

Reference was made to the requirement to appoint a multi-agency Local Partnership Board to support local authorities in performing certain specified functions and assessing the need for accommodation based support for all victims and their children, including cross border support.   Kent County Council would be responsible for establishing the Local Partnership Board and undertaking a needs assessment across the county.  The Borough Council were required to co-operate as far as was reasonably practicable and would have two representatives on the Local Partnership Board.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)             appropriate expenditure of the allocated new burdens funding (£34,242) be authorised by the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Cabinet Member for Community Services, once the domestic abuse needs assessment had been completed across Kent and further information was known.

(Decision Notice D210056MEM)

The report provided an update on the new Domestic Abuse Act and the new duties for local authorities, including Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.  There was also a recommendation on the use of the new burdens funding attached to this legislation.

Reference was made to the requirement to appoint a multi-agency Local Partnership Board to support local authorities in performing certain specified functions and assessing the need for accommodation based support for all victims and their children, including cross border support.   Kent County Council would be responsible for establishing the Local Partnership Board and undertaking a needs assessment across the county.  The Borough Council were required to co-operate as far as was reasonably practicable and would have two representatives on the Local Partnership Board.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             appropriate expenditure of the allocated new burdens funding (£34,242) be authorised by the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Cabinet Member for Community Services, once the domestic abuse needs assessment had been completed across Kent and further information was known.