The Public Health & Community Safety Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council is scheduled to discuss a range of important topics, including updates on the Prevent programme, the recommissioning of vital support services for domestic abuse survivors and those struggling with drug and alcohol issues, and the Fire and Rescue Service's response to the summer heatwaves. The panel will also review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Prevent Update

The panel will receive an update on Hertfordshire's Prevent programme, which aims to counter terrorism at a local level by supporting individuals susceptible to radicalisation. The report indicates that Hertfordshire's Prevent delivery is exceeding expectations across all seven assessed areas, with particular strengths in training, reducing permissive environments, and communications and community engagement. The report also details recommendations from the Southport Inquiry Phase 1, which examined the attack at a children's dance club in Southport in July 2024. The inquiry identified systemic failures in risk ownership, information sharing, understanding of autism, oversight of online activity, and parental responsibility. Recommendations from the inquiry, which the government has agreed to implement, will be discussed in relation to Prevent and counter-terrorism policing.

Recommissioning of Specialist Domestic Abuse Support within Safe Accommodation

This report outlines the council's statutory duty, under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021¹, to commission support services for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their children living in safe accommodation. The current contract, delivered by Safer Places and partners, is due to end in June 2027. A comprehensive review has identified opportunities to strengthen provision, particularly for LGBTQ+ survivors, those with No Recourse to Public Funds, and individuals experiencing multiple disadvantages. The proposed recommissioned service aims to increase capacity, expand specialist provision, enhance support for children and resettlement, and contribute to Hertfordshire's Whole Housing Approach². The report details a proposed countywide model and a procurement timetable, with the new service expected to go live in July 2027.

Recommissioning of Hertfordshire Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services

The panel will consider the recommissioning of Hertfordshire's drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services. Two separate commissioning processes are proposed: the All-Age Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service, which provides clinical and psychosocial interventions, and the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, which offers community-based peer support. The report recommends a Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime³ for the treatment service, as the current provider, Change Grow Live (CGL), is delivering effectively. For the recovery service, an open competitive process is proposed to implement a redesigned model with stronger community recovery infrastructure and lived-experience leadership. This approach aims to support the Hertfordshire Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2025-2030⁴ and national priorities.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service's Response to the Summer Heatwaves 2026

This report provides an overview of the exceptional operational demand experienced by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) during the summer 2026 heatwaves. The Service attended 17% more incidents than in the previous year, with a 99% increase in calls to Fire Control and 159 wildfires attended. The report details the significant contribution of staff across the Service, including on-call firefighters, in maintaining operational response and supporting national resilience requests. It also outlines the financial and organisational pressures arising from this demand and the learning being taken forward to strengthen preparedness for future extreme weather events, including a planned preparedness plan for summer 2027.

Cabinet Panel Work Programme 2026/27

The panel will be invited to consider and approve its work programme for 2026/27. This programme reflects the panel's remit and will be reviewed and updated at each meeting to ensure it remains balanced and responsive to issues affecting Hertfordshire and its residents. The proposed work programme includes items such as updates from the Chief Constable, reports on the Public Health Investment Programme, and the Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant Board Annual Report.