Bath & North East Somerset Council is set to get tough with its suppliers to ensure they are doing everything they can to prevent modern slavery.
The council already requires companies bidding for contracts to confirm they meet the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Those that can’t are excluded from tendering for work.
However, a report to the council’s cabinet next Thursday recommends further action over the coming year, including carrying out additional auditing and monitoring of suppliers to ensure its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
The report says the council should engage directly with current key suppliers to find out what they are doing to eliminate modern slavery in their own supply-chains.
It also recommends expanding the questionnaire in tender documents to include specific questions relating to suppliers’ supply chains, how susceptible they are to modern slavery and the due diligence processes they will adopt to prevent it.
The council should also update its code of conduct for suppliers to include a section on modern slavery which outlines the standards it expects contractors to meet, with the power to terminate contracts if these are not met, according to the report.
Modern slavery, an umbrella term which encompasses human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced labour, is often a hidden crime involving one person denying another person their freedom. It often involves people working in jobs such as cleaning, catering, security, care work and the construction industry.
From last month all public sector organisations, including local councils, have had to develop an annual modern slavery statement. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s strategic procurement team have been working with colleagues from the equalities team and trading standards to develop and coordinate the council’s approach.
Council deputy leader and cabinet member for resources & economic development, Cllr Richard Samuel, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council abhors modern slavery in all its forms and is committed to putting in place processes to prevent and eradicate it.
“Our modern slavery statement sets out the steps we’ve taken to date aimed at making sure that our services, businesses and supply chains do not have links to modern slavery.
“It also outlines the additional actions we plan to take over the coming year to further mitigate the risks in our supply chains.”
The report emphasises the need to share learning on modern slavery with partners and keep them informed of any suppliers or contractors where the council has concerns.
