Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2024/25

This annual statement sets out how Uttlesford District Council aims to understand and address all potential modern slavery and human trafficking risks related to its business functions and activities.

Definition of Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery (and Human Trafficking) involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people who, with the threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, abuse of power or deception are exploited for the purposes of prostitution, forced labour, slavery, forced criminality or other similar practices. Victims are trafficked all over the world, including in and around the UK.

Commitment

The council is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in all its activities, and to ensuring its supply chains are also free of this. The publication of this Annual Statement is part of that commitment and highlights activities undertaken to address this. The publication of this Annual Statement is part of that commitment and highlights activities undertaken to address this.

Uttlesford District Council as a public sector organisation, an employer and a community leader is committed to undertaking a preventative approach to modern slavery and human trafficking within its corporate responsibilities and activities.

Organisational Structure and Supply Chain

Uttlesford is a thriving, predominantly rural district in north-west Essex close to both London and Cambridge, Uttlesford is well served by major road, rail and air links. The M11 runs through the district and Stansted Airport is located within its boundaries. To the south is the A120 and a number of settlements are connected served by the Cambridge to London railway line. However, due to its rural nature there are accessibility issues for some without private transport, especially in outlying villages.

Uttlesford District Council has 39 members covering 22 wards and employs approximately 330 staff delivering a wide range of services for residents and businesses such as bin collections, providing council housing, deciding on planning, collecting Council Tax and business rates, supporting the economy and local businesses, restaurant inspections and running the Saffron Walden Museum. Uttlesford District Council does not deliver Children or Adult social care.

There are fewer younger people in the district (those aged 15 to 39) than in England as a whole and an above average number of people aged 45 to 79.

Economically the district is comparatively buoyant with an employment rate of 80.7% (Oct 2022-Sep 2023) and a total of 5,630 businesses operating within the borders. Of these over 90% (UK Business Counts 2023) are classified as micro operations employing fewer than 10 people.

Uttlesford District Council's procurement service is delivered by Chelmsford City Council under a shared service agreement. Uttlesford District Council has aligned their processes and policies with Chelmsford City Council regarding managing the risks of Modern Slavery.

All suppliers taking part in Uttlesford District Council's procurement processes must state whether they are a relevant commercial organisation, as defined by section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("the Act"). If they are, they are required to confirm their compliance with the annual reporting requirements contained within Section 54 of the Act. Failure to meet these requirements is treated as grounds for mandatory exclusion.

The above approach, adopted by Uttlesford District Council, is in line with that developed by Crown Commercial Services, the executive agency and trading fund of the Cabinet Office of the UK Government and is utilised nationally across the public sector.

Uttlesford District Council has an expectation that any organisation with which it works, commissions or procures goods or services from, operates appropriate policies and practices in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our Responsibilities

Uttlesford District Council has a corporate crosscutting role as an employer, community leader and procurer with responsibility to safeguard people within its communities across all our operations.

Uttlesford District Council works with Essex Police and other enforcement agencies as appropriate to share intelligence and work collaboratively to address issues relating to modern slavery or human trafficking.

Our Policies

As a Council, there are a wide range of policies and processes in place that reflect our commitment both directly and indirectly to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in all our activities.

All policies are subject to a robust assurance process and are subject to staff and union consultation. Councillors, senior officers and partner organisations may also be invited to comment.

Relevant Policies:

• Employee Code of Conduct
• Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Safer Recruitment Policy
• Domestic Abuse Workplace Policy
• Contract Procedure Rules (PDF) [552KB]

Multi-Agency Arrangements

The Essex Safeguarding Adults Board (ESAB) is a statutory organisation that is committed to protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It collaborates with wider strategic partnerships in Essex to ensure that where safeguarding responsibilities spread across the organisation, there is a clear understanding of where responsibility lies or ensuring a robust joined-up approach is employed.

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) is a statutory body which acts as a mechanism for agreeing how relevant organisations in Essex co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

As part of the Council's commitment to robust safeguarding provision a council representative attends all meetings of the ESAB and ESCB. Safeguarding Audits are completed annually, whereby we set out evidence of how we actively incorporate Safeguarding into our work plans, policies, and training.

Management Responsibilities

The Council has responsibilities to its workforce, this includes employee health, safety and welfare.

As part of the Council's commitment to the welfare of its workforce, any employee can raise concerns and have assurance from the Council that their concerns will be taken seriously.

The Council has an Employee Assistance program for all staff, which provides confidential support and advice for work and personal matters, and this would also include support for victims of crime. Employees have access to a 24-hour confidential support network, 365 days per year.

Training and Awareness Raising

To meet its statutory safeguarding responsibilities, the Council offers a wide and extensive training programme to staff across all services.

During 2023/24 Safeguarding mandatory training sessions were delivered by the Council to all members of staff and elected members. The attendance levels are reported as a Corporate Core Indicator to Cabinet on a quarterly basis

All members of the Procurement Team at Chelmsford City Council have successfully passed the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply - Ethical Procurement Test.

If any members or employees witness or suspect modern slavery or human trafficking is taking place, they should follow the internal safeguarding reporting process.

In line with statutory responsibilities and related guidance for local authorities it may be required to notify the Home Office of a potential victim of modern slavery or human trafficking or make appropriate referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for all children and consenting adults.

Due Diligence

Uttlesford District Council is committed to and understands the vital role that procurement plays in this function. This includes due consideration and recognition of its duty when sourcing goods and services to ensure that effective employment practices are in place within the supply chain and that modern slavery and human trafficking practices will not be tolerated.

The contract rules require collaboration with the Procurement Team for high value and high risk procurements to ensure, before awarding any contracts to prospective bidders, the Council meets its legal obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and the Contract Procedure Rules 2015.

Performance

Uttlesford District Council have made no referrals to date to the NRM.

Declaration

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Uttlesford District Council slavery and human trafficking statement for the term of the financial period.

Peter Holt, Chief Executive
Councillor Petrina Lees, Leader of the Council

Dated: 13 June 2024