City in shake-up over tackling abuse and people trafficking
CITY chiefs will take over people trafficking awareness and domestic abuse services as part of a major shake-up.
Glasgow City Council has already assumed responsibility for social care and facilities management duties formerly run by Cordia in a bid to make services more efficient.
And the authority is expected to complete a takeover of Community Safety Glasgow (CSG) by March next year.
Officers have been locked in talks with Scottish Government chiefs to ensure continued funding for the Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) and the ASSIST domestic abuse service.
Michelle Ferns, the city convener for workforce, said: “The city administration committee agreed to terminate the CSG service level agreements that it had in place, which accounted for around 74 per cent of CSG’s income. Around 13 per cent of the remaining income of CSG and its subsidiaries relates to Scottish Government grant for ASSIST and TARA projects, and around 13 per cent comes from third parties via contracts or other funding.
“The CSG board decided that the company did not have a viable future and that the company should be wound up. However, the board also considered that the remaining CSG services should continue to be delivered and has now formally asked the council to take on the remainder of these services subject to Scottish Government approval in relation to TARA and ASSIST funding.
“Discussions have since taken place with the Scottish Government who have confirmed that the continuity of TARA and ASSIST services is a key priority for them, and they have agreed to continue funding these services under the current grant conditions.
“They have also confirmed that they are happy to route the funding via the council rather than CSG and will make appropriate arrangements for this.”
Elaine Galletly, the city’s head of legal services, added: “The Scottish Government gives grant funding for periods of time. That’s something that CSG has been dealing with and that will transfer to council. There has been no indication that there will be a reduction in funding.”
TARA was set up in 2004 to support trafficking survivors and to help identify women who may have been trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.
ASSIST was set up in the same year to help support victims of domestic abuse by reducing risk and supporting increased safety measures.
By March next year, 6,500 Cordia and CSG workers will be under the employment of Glasgow City Council.
The moves are being made by the SNP administration after an agreement was reached in April.