Modern Slavery Act Statement

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils (The councils) are recommended, pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to produce a modern slavery and human trafficking statement.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 defines the offence of slavery as:

• A person holds another person in slavery or servitude and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is held in slavery or servitude, or
• The person requires another person to perform forced or compulsory labour, and the circumstances are such that the person knows or ought to know that the other person is being required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
• Modern slavery encompasses; Human trafficking, slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour, however this is not an exhaustive list of all modern slavery offences.

Human Trafficking is defined as:

• “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” Article 4(a) of the council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
• The Modern Slavery Act 2015 states that a person commits an offence (of Human Trafficking) if the person arranges, or facilitates another person (“V”), with a view to V being exploited. 
• a person is exploited if one or more of the following apply in relation to the person - slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

What are we doing?

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. As part of Local Government, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.

In addition to our responsibility as employers, we also acknowledge that we have a duty as a ‘first responder.’ The statutory guidance for a first responder requires that as local authorities we:

• Identify potential victims and recognise the indicators of modern slavery.
• Gather information to understand what has happened to them.
• Refer victims into the National Referral mechanism (NRM), or via the modern slavery portal should no consent be given. Modern Slavery Portal)
• Provide a point of contact for the competent authorities to assist with the reasonable grounds and conclusive grounds decisions and to request a reconsideration.

It is important to note that the duty to refer still applies, even when the local authority is not directly supporting a victim of modern slavery.

Malvern Hills District Council has a five-year plan (2024/25-29/30) which identifies three strategic priorities: Our Health and Wellbeing, Our Economy, and Our Environment. Preventing slavery and tackling human trafficking will be tackled in the implementation of our five-year plan through its embedding into the council’s everyday safeguarding responsibilities and through corporate practises. 

Wychavon District Council’s Strategic Plan – We are Wychavon (2024-2028) also identifies three priorities: People, Place and Environment. Key points that cover the prevention of slavery and tackling human trafficking include but are not limited to: Growing our local economy, revitalising town centres, and Improving health and wellbeing. 

The councils, put personal integrity, honesty, and respect for others along with recognising the diversity and equality of individuals at the core of our overall values. Through the above, we firmly put community leadership at the heart of everything we do and therefore are committed to the various elements supporting this overall vision which include combating slavery and human trafficking.

Partnership Working

The councils both recognise that in combatting Modern Slavery we must also work in partnership with other key agencies to; identify victims, provide the correct level of appropriate support, disrupt future criminal activity, and prevent further instances from occurring. 

Organisational Structure:

This statement covers the full activities of The Councils and their organisational structures recognising the sharing of services across both councils. 

We ensure that all staff are treated fairly in line with HR policies and procedures. 

We are absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities and to ensure our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Our Supply Chains:

We purchase goods and services under robust contract procedure rules which include a commitment to ethical purchasing and equality and diversity in procurement.

We expect all suppliers to adhere to the same principles and would always aim to ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of its business.

We recognise that we all have a responsibility to be alert to the risks, however small, in our business and in the wider supply chain.

We have identified the Director of Communities and Housing as the single point of contact for council officers to report any concerns or suspicions that may arise as they conduct their day-to-day activities.

The Director of Housing and Communities also has a duty to report relevant matters to the Home Office.

To date we have not identified or been notified of any slavery or human trafficking activities in our supply chain or in any part of the business.

If we did become aware of such issues, we would act immediately.

Although we have robust processes in place we remain committed to improving all aspects of its business and further actions proposed include:

• The provision of awareness through communication and training – to both officers and elected members.
• Ensuring contract specifications include a commitment from suppliers to support the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
• Not awarding contracts where suppliers do not demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in their own business or supply chains.
• An on-going commitment and expectations from officers to be included in future revisions to our contract procedure rules and financial regulations.
• Protection of whistle blowers.

This Statement is to be reviewed on an annual basis. The next review is due in January 2026

Cllr John Gallagher (Leader of Malvern Hills District Council)

Cllr Chris Day (leader of Wychavon District Council)

Vic Allison (Chief Executive of Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils)