Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain which set out the City Corporation’s Modern Slavery Statement developed in response to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

It was noted that, given the remit of the Establishment Committee, the report was for approval rather than for information, ahead of submission to the Policy & Resources Committee, the Police Committee and the Court of Common Council. All other named committees within the report would receive it for information.

In noting that the Bill was currently progressing through the House of Lords and an extension to the scope of the existing Act to public sector authorities was anticipated, publication of the Statement could therefore be viewed as a way of future proofing the City Corporation’s approach.  However, some Members commented that given that the statement was ethically just, rather than simply a future proofing exercise, this important aspect should be referenced in the report ahead of submission to other committees.

In terms of wider environmental, ethical and social issues, it was acknowledged that there was a broad range of issues that warranted consideration within a corporate context, as highlighted by the City Corporation’s innovative social investment agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

a)    endorse publication of a voluntary Modern Slavery Statement by the City Corporation;

b)    endorse the version submitted, including the Modern Slavery Policy contained within and continuous improvement plans detailed throughout, subject to the inclusion of the ethical importance of publication of such a Statement.