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To approve the inclusion of a new Section 4.5:
Domestic Abuse within the Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, as set out
in the updated document. The section formalises Arun District
Council’s approach to responding to domestic abuse in line
with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, regulatory expectations,
safeguarding duties and good practice.

The updated policy, incorporating Section 4.5, is approved under
delegated authority for immediate operational use.

Reasons for the decision

Section 4.5 strengthens the Council’s
policy framework by explicitly setting out how domestic abuse will
be responded to as a high-risk form of anti-social behaviour.

The addition brings the policy fully in line with:

• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
• Regulator of Social Housing Neighbourhood & Community
Standard (2024)
• Housing Ombudsman expectations around domestic abuse and
victim-centred practice

The wording is required to ensure clarity for victims, staff and
partners, and to support consistent and lawful
decision-making.

The Group Head of Housing, Wellbeing & Communities (Richard
Tomkinson) would ordinarily approve domestic-abuse-related
sections; however, due to his absence, the decision is required to
ensure the updated policy can be implemented without delay.
Deferring approval would create avoidable risk given the statutory
and safeguarding nature of domestic abuse responsibilities.

Alternative options considered

• Delay approval until the return of the
Group Head: Rejected — this would postpone implementation of
a statutory-relevant policy update and create operational and
safeguarding gaps.
• Issue the policy update without formal delegated approval:
Rejected — this would not meet governance or audit
requirements and would weaken policy assurance.