Minutes of PDAF Executive Committee held on Tuesday, 25th November 2008 in the Spa Meeting Room, The Gwalia, Llandrindod Wells.
Present -
Betty Rae Watkins (Chair) (BRW) Margaret Richards, PDAF Co-ordinator (MAR) Ruth Parry Wright, Radnorshire Women’s Aid (RPW) Sara Humphreys, Tai Hafan (SH) Louisa Kerr, Community Safety Manager (LK) Pauline Galluccio, Powys LHB (PG) C/Insp Chris Curtis, Dyfed-Powys Police (CC) Ceri Wood, Brecknock Women’s Aid (CW)
Apologies were received from - Mike Ritchie, Victim Support Powys (MR)
1 Welcome and Apologies
The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and took members through the Agenda.
2 Minutes of PDAF Executive 30.09.08
The Minutes were approved as a true and accurate account.
3 Matters Arising
Item 3 MAR reported that she had now had a response from Alan Campbell MP who stated that the funding for MARAC and IDVA was only ever intended to kick start the projects and that longer term funding would need to be mainstreamed locally. A discussion ensued regarding the possible sources of funding for the continuity of the IDVA service beyond March 2009. LK had forwarded to MAR the CRASB template in order to apply for funding from that budget. MAR to write to Chief Executives of Police, CPS, and Health and to other Forum member organizations, requesting funding donations.
Item 4 Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA)
The IDVA, Joyce Hughes, is now in post and receiving referrals. The next Steering Group meeting is on 27th November 2008.
Item 5 MARAC
The CAADA report on the training event has now been received and distributed. Some of the actions recommended had already been implemented such as Minute taking and security measures for the documentation. A referral from Tai Hafan had been rejected during a recent MARAC meeting but had been discussed afterwards and this had proved very positive. It was questioned why agency referrals were accepted in other areas within the Dyfed-Powys region but not in Powys. PG stated that health professionals in minor injuries departments and other areas were now asking the questions contained in the Risk Assessment. If the RA resulted in the woman being assessed as very high risk how could she be brought to the MARAC? At present a referral would need to be made to the PPU and would result in a Police visit in order that they conduct their own RA. This may not be acceptable or appropriate for some women. CC explained that there were indeed some inconsistencies between the areas but that it would not be beneficial to change the existing system before the outcome of the review being undertaken by Insp. Owain Richards. SH asked whether it would be possible for the IDVA to refer cases to the MARAC in the interim.
Action CC to speak with Owain to ascertain when the review would be completed.
Item 6 Lottery Bid
MAR had recently been on a course regarding Big Lottery Bid applications and in consequence there was a lot of work to be done to complete the paperwork.
Item 7 Project Funding
LK asked if there were any bids being prepared. MAR stated she had several ideas but had not managed to formulate bids as yet. In the CAADA report there had been a recommendation for research into video recording equipment to negate the significant traveling time and expense incurred by people attending MARAC. A similar idea regarding SDVCs had also been put forward by Chris Jones, who had been tasked with researching and developing a multi agency DA policy for Dyfed-Powys,.
4 Forum Structure
Two models for the structure of the Forum were put forward. It was agreed to take the two models to the main Forum meeting for members to vote on. A third model to be drawn up depicting the structure as it exists, this also to be circulated to offer all alternatives.
Action MAR to produce three models and circulate prior to the main Forum meeting.
5 Co-ordinators Report
The Report had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. CW asked for an update on the training sessions. MAR reported that the first session in Ystradgynlais had gone well and had been well received. There were a couple of other subjects that need to be covered, time permitting. Elder Abuse and Male victims were suggestions of additional focus. The next session will be in Welshpool in January with MFCC delivering the section on Services.
6 Budget
The budget had been circulated prior to the meeting and there were no questions arising.
7 Any Other Business
Street Lighting LK reported that there had been a huge response to the street lighting initiative. There was now going to be a multi-agency review which would be citizen focused. The concerns of the Womens Aid organizations had been noted.
Body Cams CC reported that Police officers in Powys would be wearing bodycams over the Christmas period and this would enable officers attending domestic abuse incidents to record first hand evidence of the circumstances, injuries, demeanor, etc. In some circumstances this would enable the Police to pursue a prosecution even if the victim withdrew her consent.
PDAF Telephone SH asked whether the original PDAF telephone number could be reinstated as this number was on many items given out, such as the mousemats and contact cards. It was also difficult to leave a message for the co-ordinator as the present number went to fax rather than give an option for a message.
Homelessness Plan MAR asked if a response was expected from the PDAF. It was agreed that as many responses as possible was beneficial, therefore MAR should draw up a reply to the consultation.
Action MAR to complete response.
Next Executive Committee Meeting 2 pm, 26th January 2009, Spa Meeting Room, The Gwalia subject to Forum restructure.
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