Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 9, 2025

Purpose: This reports requests Cabinet’s approval of the Council’s proposed ten-year Newham Sex Work Strategy 2025-2035 (appendix A) and the accompanying first year action plan (appendix B).   The strategy and accompanying annual action plan provide a framework for a public health approach to addressing the impact of sex work in Newham, which acknowledges that an effective response requires a multi-agency whole community approach.  The strategy builds upon work carried out to date by the Council and its partners and provides the framework and shift required to adopt a Public Health whole borough community response to sex work.   Cabinet is recommended to agree: •  That the Council adopts the Newham Sex Work Strategy 2025-2035 and accompanying Newham Sex Work Strategy Action Plan and their content, noting that the final versions will be enhanced into accessible and visually appealing documents for residents and professionals.    •  Approve the use of five high level outcomes which will be used to measure the effectiveness of the strategy and action plan on a quarterly basis. o  Crime - A reduction in total notifiable offences in the five wards with the highest levels of offences.  These wards will be reviewed annually. o  Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Reports - A reduction in reports of ASB in the five wards with the highest levels of offences.  These wards will be reviewed annually. o  Perceptions of Safety on estates – Following an initial benchmarking exercise of perceptions of safety on the part of both residents and sex workers there will be an annual measurement of changes in perception  o  Numbers of sex workers engaging with the Alessia Project and other service areas o  Outcomes of engagement with the Alessia Project across a validated tool with measures taken at commencement, during and at the end of engagement.

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:   i)  That the Council adopts the Newham Sex Work Strategy 2025-2035 and accompanying Newham Sex Work Strategy Action Plan and their content, noting that the final versions will be enhanced into accessible and visually appealing documents for residents and professionals. ii)  To approve the use of five high level outcomes which will be used to measure the effectiveness of the strategy and action plan on a quarterly basis.  · Crime - A reduction in total notifiable offences in the five wards with the highest levels of offences. These wards will be reviewed annually. · Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Reports - A reduction in reports of ASB in the five wards with the highest levels of offences. These wards will be reviewed annually. · Perceptions of Safety on estates – Following an initial benchmarking exercise of perceptions of safety on the part of both residents and sex workers there will be an annual measurement of changes in perception · Numbers of sex workers engaging with the Alessia Project and other service areas · Outcomes of engagement with the Alessia Project across a validated tool with measures taken at commencement, during and at the end of engagement.   Alternatives Considered   N/A