PURPOSE OF REPORT

1 To present to Members the 2020/21 Modern Slavery Statement for North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority as attached at appendix 1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2 This statement is the Authority’s first Modern Slavery Statement and sets out the arrangements for the 2020/21 financial year. This confirms the Authority’s commitment to ensure it does not actively encourage nor support slavery or human trafficking.

RECOMMENDATION

3 Members are asked to approve the 2020/21 Modern Slavery Statement and note the actions taken.

BACKGROUND

4 The Modern Slavery Act came into force in 2015 and requires commercial companies with a turnover in excess of £36m to produce an annual statement. As a public body, it is good practice for North Wales Fire and Authority (the Authority) to produce and publish a Modern Slavery Statement outlining potential modern slavery risks and detailing plans in place to mitigate these risks.

INFORMATION

5 The statement contained within appendix 1 is the Authority’s first Modern Slavery Statement and sets out actions and activities during the 2020/21 financial year to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

6 The statement sets out the Authority’s commitment to ensure it does not actively encourage nor support slavery or human trafficking within the organisation’s workforce, within supply chains or as part of the service delivery activities.

IMPLICATIONS

Wellbeing Objectives The arrangements in place align to the wellbeing objectives and goals and support our global responsibilities.
Budget Not applicable.
Legal The Statement provides assurances that the Authority is acting within the principles of the Modern Slavery Act (2015).
Staffing Not applicable.
Equalities/Human Rights/
Welsh Language Robust arrangement to prevent and detect occurrences of human trafficking or slavery support the organisation’s equality and diversity agenda.
Risks The framework described within the Statement support the risk management in relation to modern slavery.