94 BCa/18/51 MODERN SLAVERY POLICY PDF 127 KB
Cabinet Member for Finance
Additional documents:
Decision:
Decisions Made by Cabinet:
1.1 That the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Policy on Modern Slavery be adopted.
Reason for Decision: To enhance the Council’s commitment to operate ethically and to contribute to the elimination of modern slavery.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
The Cabinet has the option not to implement a policy on modern slavery and to continue with its current practice of ensuring the Council’s commissioning and procurement practices do not support modern slavery without a formal policy in place.
Though the Modern Slavery Act 2015 does not specifically require Local Authorities to comply, the Public Sector has an important role to play in the elimination of modern slavery and the adoption of a formal Policy on Modern Slavery by the Cabinet will enable Babergh (working jointly with Mid Suffolk) to provide a positive contribution to this effort.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
94.2 In his introductory speech, Councillor Ward stated that the proposed policy detailed the Council’s commitment to eliminate modern slavery and contribute positively to ensure that its suppliers of goods, works and services do no use slavery in any form. The Policy would not only enable the Council to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 but also the Modern Slavery (Transparency in Supply Chains) Bill, which would require two things of the Council. Firstly, to publish a Section 54 statement as specified in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and secondly the Council would need to comply with the amendment to Regulation 57 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
94.3 Councillor Ward emphasised that the Council was already ensuring that their commissioning and procurement practices did not support slavery, the implementation of the Policy would formalise practices that were already in place. and the Council would only need to make minor changes to its terms and conditions to meet any future legal requirements.
By a unanimous vote
It was Resolved:-
That the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Policy on Modern Slavery be adopted.
Reason:
To enhance the Council’s commitment to operate ethically and to contribute to the elimination of modern slavery.