Agenda item

Members to receive a report providing an update on the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Intervention Programme, the options for funding and the long term sustainability of the programme

The Police and Crime Panel received an update report on the Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Intervention Programme located at the Jenkins Centre in Leicester, the options for funding and the long-term sustainability of the programme.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) briefly introduced the report.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer advised the current service provision was contracted until 31^st March 2023. In January 2023 the Home Office released a round of funding for the period from 1^st Aril 2023 to 31^st March 2025 and the OPCC had submitted a bid for one round of funding to maintain the work undertaken at the Jenkins Centre.

Members discussed the report noting that the OPCC were internally reviewing the current service provision and providing an evaluation to the Home Office and enquired when that was likely to be complete. The Acting CEO replied that the evaluation should be completed by mid-March 2023 and would be in line with the objectives of the contract to reflect on the number of victims supported with both the Partner Support Service and the wider Victim Service pathways.

The Chair requested a copy of the evaluation be provided to the next panel meeting in June 2023.

Members enquired what the position would be if funding from the Home Office was not received. The Acting Chief Executive Officer referred to option 2 that the Jenkins Centre be funded locally and option 3 the Jenkins Centre closes, as set out in the report.

The Chair expressed concern about reliance on match funding from the Community Safety Partnerships since their budgets had already been set and they would not be able to reattribute their funds in this financial year.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer advised there was not yet a full plan around local funding as they had committed to seeking the money from the Home Office and had approached the matter on basis that would be satisfied.

The Chair was dissatisfied with the situation as this programme had made a significant impact and commented that there should have been a proper contingency plan in the event of the funding coming to an end from Home Office.

Members commented that the CSP’s had all signed up to the Domestic Abuse Partnership, and this was a perfect example where the panel should be seeing some information and data sets as the OPCC would have spent considerable time preparing report data and they should be able to show the strands coming together and show the programme having some impact but that had not been provided.

The Chair noted that the city was committed to continue to fund their element of the Jenkins Centre although funding had already been reduced throughout the city too.

Members were concerned that this was an important programme as so much of the work was deliberately targeted on the perpetrators, that was why this was a fundamental programme and therefore unsatisfactory to be at risk.

The Chair expressed her disappointment that the report provided insufficient information about alternative funding options and showed a lack of planning.

The PCC indicated that the OPCC should receive the Home Office response to the bid by 17^th March 2023, if that was unsuccessful then the PCC would explore option 2 further.

Members commented that the Jenkins Centre had been discussed elsewhere so once PCC had confirmation of funding or not the panel were keen to know what the immediate action would be and to receive a written statement.

The PCC undertook to provide the panel with a short-written statement notifying the outcome of Home Office bid on 17^th March 2023 and the immediate action to be taken thereafter.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the PCC provide to panel members a short-written statement notifying the outcome of the Home Office bid and immediate action to be taken thereafter.

3.    That a copy of the evaluation of the service be provided to the next panel meeting in June 2023.