Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Communities and Environment presenting the findings and recommendations from the Independent Review of the Managed Approach to on-street sex working in Leeds. The Board is receiving this report in order to ask officers to proceed with considering the report’s key findings and recommendations.

The Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report providing the findings and recommendations from the Independent Review (IR) of the Managed Approach to on-street sex working in Leeds, which had been undertaken by the University of Huddersfield following an associated procurement exercise. The Independent Review document was appended to the submitted report for Members’ consideration.

The Chief Officer, Safer Leeds provided Members with an overview of the Managed Approach together with details of the procurement exercise from which the University of Huddersfield was identified as the organisation to undertake the IR.

Following this, Professor Jason Roach of the University of Huddersfield presented to the Board the key findings and recommendations arising from the IR for the Council and other partner agencies to consider, and also provided details of the methodology used to conduct the review, including the methods used to engage a range of stakeholders and to source relevant information and data.

Responding to Members’ comments and questions, the Board received further information regarding:-

·  The ‘Listening Well’ community events, with it being noted that the IR team had attended a number of those events and these had therefore contributed to the IR, however, it was noted that the overall outcomes from those sessions were still awaited;

·  Members received further detail regarding the approach used to manage on-street sex working together with related issues in other areas/cities;

·  The communications strategy in relation to the Managed Approach and also with regard to the wider promotion of Holbeck as an area and its  communities;

·  The size and spread of the cohort engaged as part of the Independent Review, the actions which had been taken to try and widen involvement from that cohort and the challenges which had been encountered;

·  The role of the Safer Leeds Executive partnership in considering any changes to the Managed Approach, with it being noted that any actions would require involvement by a number of partners/agencies. Also, it was noted that Executive Board would be kept informed and consulted on any key changes proposed in responding to the recommendations of the IR;

·  The extensive work being undertaken to address the issues associated with on-street sex working, to support those involved in it and also to liaise and work with members of the local community on such matters.

With regard to a specific enquiry regarding the communication process with the local community, the Board was advised that there was nothing to suggest that local residents had been advised that certain services, with specific reference to litter patrols and additional policing, would be withdrawn, should the Managed Approach be stopped.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked Professor Roach for his attendance at the meeting, and also for the comprehensive work that he and his team at the University of Huddersfield had undertaken when carrying out the Independent Review. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Managed Approach Independent Review, as appended to the submitted report, be received, and that its key findings and recommendations, be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities and Environment, and where appropriate partner representatives, will be responsible for considering the recommendations and implementing any changes proposed, reporting such matters to the Safer Leeds Executive Partnership;

(c)  That Members of the Executive Board be kept informed and updated on any key changes proposed arising from the independent review.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)