Havering Council Agrees Strengthened Violence Against Women And Girls Strategy Following Scrutiny Recommendations.

Following pre-decision scrutiny by a cross-party committee the previous week, the Cabinet of Havering Council agreed it’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy on Wednesday 9 April.

Member Champion for Equality and Diversity, Councillor Jane Keane, who also sits on the Licensing Committee, was pleased to see that the Cabinet agreed with a recommendation from Scrutiny that Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training become part of the training for members sitting on Licensing, “recent news reports regarding the issues that people have faced using the ‘Ask Angela’ program highlight the need to avoid complacency in tackling this issue. It was good to speak to officers at Scrutiny to see their appetite for tackling this issue, and it was encouraging to see Cabinet accept the recommendation in agreeing the Strategy”.

Labour Group leader, Councillor Keith Darvill was also pleased to see a second recommendation accepted, that new and returning councillors after the 2026 local elections will receive training specific to the issue, “Councillors have a responsibility to their residents, especially as we are often approached at times of crisis for support. Anything that helps us to support our residents is to be welcomed”.

Opposition Group leaders took the opportunity to raise several points at the Cabinet meeting, including the need for ongoing monitoring of the Strategy, and the rapid spread of ideas and narratives on social media needing to be clearly understood. 

Councillor Jane Keane and Keith Darvill.

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