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Modern slavery and human trafficking statement 2023 to 2024

On this page:

  1. Introduction
  2. Definition
  3. Organisation structure and supply chains
  4. Supply chains and due diligence
  5. Our approach
  6. Blackpool Council wholly owned companies
  7. Training and awareness
  8. Key performance indicators
  9. Next steps for 2023/24
  10. Review
  11. Approval of this statement

Introduction

We are pleased to present Blackpool Council’s third annual published modern slavery and human trafficking statement, covering the period of 2023/24.

Over the past 12 months we have:

This statement sets out the measures taken by the council to understand all potential modern slavery and human trafficking risks related to its business, and the steps put in place aimed at ensuring that there is none in our own business and supply chains. We regard modern slavery and human trafficking as such important challenges that this statement helps to address. This statement will be reviewed and updated as required. In the course of developing this statement, we have considered the potential links and impacts on people affected or vulnerable to these issues who share characteristics protected by the Equality Act. Evidence suggests that ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected. Where possible, we will use data and evidence on the links between these equality issues to inform and suggest future operational policy development.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 consolidates slavery and trafficking offences, introduces tougher penalties and sentencing rules and provides more support for victims. Blackpool Council fully supports the implementation of the act. We stand firmly against any exploitation of people, and are committed to protecting the most vulnerable people in Blackpool.

Definition

Modern slavery includes:

  • Forced labour- Victims are forced to work against their will, often for very long hours for little or no pay in dire conditions under verbal or physical threats of violence
  • Debt bondage – Victims are forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to
  • Sexual exploitation - Victims are forced to perform non-consensual or abusive sexual acts against their will, such as prostitution, escort work and pornography. Adults are coerced under threat
  • Criminal exploitation - Often controlled and maltreated, victims are forced into crimes such as cannabis cultivation or pick pocketing against their will
  • Domestic servitude - Victims are forced to carry out housework and domestic chores in private households with little or no pay, restricted movement, very limited or no free time and minimal privacy, often sleeping where they work

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, harbouring or transporting people into one of the above situations.

Organisation structure and supply chains

Blackpool Council is a Lancashire unitary local authority, with a jurisdiction of approximately 35km² and a population of approximately 141,300. The council is comprised of 42 elected members (councillors). There are 2 councillors for each of the 21 wards, serving for a period of 4 years.

The council has two main priorities for the town:

  • Priority one – Communities: Creating stronger communities and increasing resilience
  • Priority two – Economy: Maximising growth and opportunity across Blackpool

Our vision for Blackpool is:

  • Retaining our position as the UK’s number one family resort, with a thriving economy that supports a happy and healthy community who are proud of this unique town.

Supply chains and due diligence

Blackpool Council is responsible for providing a wide range of statutory and regulatory services for Blackpool’s residents, businesses, visitors and partners. Our services are delivered both directly by the council and through external contractors. There are just under 1,000 live contracts held on the contract register and last year the council spent around £283million with third party organisations.

The council recognises its responsibility to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking within its supply chain. The council makes clear to our suppliers and potential, future suppliers that they are required to provide confirmation that they are compliant with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. They are also required to confirm their subcontractors and suppliers comply with the act.

Procurement professionals have critical influence over, and visibility of, supply chain decision-making, particularly in terms of the level of due diligence that is done and the manner in which suppliers and their tenders are evaluated and assessed. A risk based approach, in line with guidance is adopted in respect of due diligence.

Our approach

As part of local government, the council recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to combating and preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities, and to ensuring our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

The council has approved and operates a number of policies and practices which either contribute to minimising the risk of slavery and human trafficking in our businesses and supply chains, or which help to establish an organisational culture which is aware of and acts on the issues involved:

Please note: In September 2023 the Pan Lancashire Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) ceased to exist and partnership arrangements for safeguarding children in Blackpool became the ‘Blackpool Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangements’ or MASA.

When these policies are reviewed, the council will consider whether further measures to strengthen their direct impact on modern slavery and trafficking is necessary.

Blackpool Council wholly owned companies

Blackpool Council wholly owns the following seven companies, which also provide services to a wide range of individuals who live and work in the town:

Although the council’s wholly owned companies do not meet the requirement to have their own separate statement, they are covered under the council’s statement. The council proactively engages with the wholly owned companies to advise them on the implications for their business, discuss activity and share training materials. We recognise that each of the council’s wholly owned companies faces unique challenges in this area due to their diversity, and that each company has adapted its approach to address these challenges.

The wholly owned companies have the discretion to take actions such as:

  • Ensuring procedures are in place to raise the alarm about potential safeguarding concerns around adults and children potentially in a modern slavery situation, should this arise and that staff are aware of these
  • Conduct due diligence on suppliers and contractors to ensure that they are not involved in human trafficking or modern slavery, and that they also have their own statements or policies in place
  • Identifying areas in operations where human trafficking and modern slavery may occur to understand the risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate risks
  • Prepare their own statement or policy to further demonstrate their commitment to this cause

Training and awareness

  • Modern slavery and human trafficking training e-learning iPool module: The council has a programme of multi-agency training available for all relevant employees and members, including safeguarding awareness training and a modern slavery and human trafficking training e-learning iPool module. This 75 minute e-learning module has been developed to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking, and to help staff recognise their role in identifying and reporting concerns. Training enables officers in community- facing and regulatory roles to look out for, identify and report incidents of abuse and neglect, including modern slavery and trafficking to the relevant agencies
  • Modern slavery and human trafficking toolbox talk: The council has developed a toolbox talk (aimed at ‘front-line’ staff) specifically designed for brief awareness raising on modern slavery and human trafficking. The training is intended to be shorter and less formal that traditional online training modules, allowing for quicker and more regular delivery. The toolbox talk serves as a valuable tool to provide employees with essential information related to modern slavery and human trafficking

Key performance indicators

Number of modern slavery and human trafficking iPool module completions:

  • 229 people have completed our modern slavery iPool course
  • 217 of those were Blackpool Council employees
  • 8 were agency workers
  • 4 from external agencies such as voluntary sector and residential care

As of summer 2024, 7.03% of employees have completed the module.

Number of duty to notify (DTN) and national referral mechanism (NRM) referrals (latest data available to December 2023):

There have been 30 DTN referrals and NRM referrals recorded in the calendar year 2023 (Jan to December). 12 of those were for children under 18.

The NRM’s have covered all exploitation types, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour exploitation, and county lines.

(NB: National referral mechanism is the framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery, and ensuring they receive the appropriate support).

Next steps for 2024/25

  • A modern slavery risk assessment is currently being developed by the risk and resilience team in audit and risk services, and will be introduced before the end of 2024. This will then be subject to regular review and revision
  • The organisational and workforce development team are revising the child sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation mandatory staff training modules. They will be adding in additional content on modern slavery. In future, all new staff will complete this revised module, thereby increasing knowledge and awareness of modern slavery, trafficking and awareness of the signs and issues surrounding it. This newly revised element should be available from early 2025
  • Use the outcome of the LGA maturity matrix to implement improvements to policy and procedure. This will focus on areas we feel we can improve on – for example, in how we improve checks, awareness and verify appropriate action by our supply chain, and also how we build in positive modern slavery action into our contracting

Review

We will review and update this statement on an annual basis. The 2023/24 statement will be approved and published in the autumn of 2025.

Approval

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The statement covers the full activities of Blackpool Council and its wholly owned companies and relates to the 2023/24 financial year. This statement has been approved by the chief executive of Blackpool Council on 30 September 2024.

Signed for and on behalf of Blackpool Council:

Neil Jack
Chief executive

Councillor Lynn Williams
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Arts and Culture