Support for (or hostility to) women

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On women, the published record of these Reform-led county and unitary councils runs along two separate tracks: the gender make-up of the cabinets that now govern, and the way each council discharges its duties toward women affected by domestic abuse.[1][2] The composition question is answered straight from each council's own membership lists; the domestic-abuse question turns on whether a council actually decided or merely debated, and several did the latter without the former.[2][3][4]

Key figures

9 councils record a majority-male cabinet or executive in their published membership
Kent County Council
Kent County Council's published Cabinet minutes record a 10-member Cabinet titled with 6 male ('Mr') and 4 female ('Mrs'/'Miss'/'Ms') members throughout the Reform administration: at the 22 July 2025 meeting (two months after Reform took control) the Cabinet comprised Mr B Collins, Mrs B Fordham, Mr M Fraser Moat, Ms L Kemkaran (Leader), Mr P King, Miss D Morton, Mrs C Palmer, Mr P Webb, Mr D Wimble and Mr P Osborne, and the same 6 male/4 female split (with Mr C Hespe replacing Mr Fraser Moat) was still recorded at the 26 March 2026 meeting -- a majority-male Cabinet, 6 of 10.
“PRESENT: Mr B Collins, Mrs B Fordham, Mr M Fraser Moat, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr P King, Miss D Morton, Mrs C Palmer, Mr P Webb, Mr D Wimble and Mr P Osborne” source ↗
Durham County Council
The council's minutes record the full first names of those cabinet members: the Leader is Councillor Andrew Husband, and the Deputy Leader announced on 21 May 2025 was Councillor Darren Grimes; the other portfolio holders named at that meeting and continuing on the Cabinet were Councillor Joe Quinn, Councillor Karen Allison, Councillor Nicola Lyons, Councillor Cathy Hunt, Councillor Stephen Gray, Councillor Tim McGuinness and Councillor Howard Brown, with Councillor Kyle Genner recorded separately as Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood, Environment and Police Relations. By first name, the Cabinet as constituted on 22 April 2026 was seven men (Husband, Grimes, Quinn, Gray, McGuinness, Brown, Genner) and three women (Allison, Lyons, Hunt) — a majority-male Cabinet.
“Councillor A Husband informed Council of the Deputy Leader, Cabinet Members and their Portfolios: Councillor Darren Grimes – Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Policy and Communications Councillor Joe Quinn – Resources, Investments and Assets Councillor Karen Allison – Neighbourhoods and Environment Councillor Nicola Lyons – Stronger Communities and Belonging” source ↗
Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet, as recorded in the attendance list for its 11 May 2026 meeting (the last meeting before the 2026/27 municipal-year Cabinet appointments), comprised nine members: seven men (Councillors George Finch as Chair, Michael Bannister, Dale Bridgewater, Wayne Briggs, Darren Cheshire, Rob Howard and Stephen Shaw) and two women (Councillors Anne-Marie Sonko and Jennifer Warren), a majority-male Cabinet.
“Committee Members Councillor George Finch (Chair) Councillor Michael Bannister Councillor Dale Bridgewater Councillor Wayne Briggs Councillor Darren Cheshire Councillor Rob Howard Councillor Stephen Shaw Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko Councillor Jennifer Warren” source ↗
West Northamptonshire Council
Minutes elsewhere in the corpus refer to five of those nine, Councillor Mark Arnull (the Leader), Councillor Charlie Hastie, Councillor Richard Butler, Councillor Andrew Last and Councillor John Slope, with the pronouns "he"/"his", and to two of them, Councillor Laura Couse and Councillor Kamala Guliyeva, with "she"/"her", so the nine-member Cabinet is majority male as the minutes record it.
“Councillor Arnull advised that he could provide an update on devolution to a future Panel meeting” source ↗
North Northamptonshire Council
On 22 May 2025 North Northamptonshire Council's Annual Council meeting confirmed the Executive appointments and portfolios made by the Leader for 2025/26: Leader Cllr Martin Griffiths plus nine other members (Deputy Leader Cllr Eddie McDonald, and Cllrs Graham Cheatley, Ken Harrington, Elizabeth Wright, Chris McGiffen, Jan O'Hara, Kirk Harrison, Gregory Wilcox and Barry O'Brien). Of the 10 named Executive members, only Cllr Elizabeth Wright has a name conventionally associated with women; the council's published executive arrangements do not separately record members' gender.
“Councillor Elizabeth Wright Children, Education & Families” source ↗
Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire County Council's published Cabinet minutes list its Cabinet membership as ten councillors: Mick Barton (Chairman), Dr John Doddy (Vice-Chairman), Barry Answer, Bert Bingham, Rory Green, Dawn Justice, Stuart Matthews, James Walker-Gurley, Martin Wright and Simon Wright; of the ten names recorded, nine (Barton, Doddy, Answer, Bingham, Green, Matthews, Walker-Gurley, Martin Wright, Simon Wright) are conventionally male first names and one (Dawn Justice) is a conventionally female first name, so the published executive arrangements record a majority-male Cabinet. This membership list was unchanged (bar recorded apologies) as of the most recent Cabinet meeting on 23 April 2026.
“membership COUNCILLORS Mick Barton (Chairman) Dr John Doddy (Vice-Chairman) Barry Answer Bert Bingham Rory Green Dawn Justice Stuart Matthews James Walker-Gurley Martin Wright Simon Wright” source ↗
Lancashire County Council
The minutes of Lancashire County Council's Cabinet meeting of 4 June 2026 record the Cabinet as County Councillor Stephen Atkinson (Leader of the Council, in the Chair) plus eight Cabinet Members: County Councillors Simon Evans, David Dwyer, Warren Goldsworthy, Daniel Matchett, Brian Moore, Tom Pickup, Joshua Roberts, Matthew Salter and Ella Worthington; of these nine named cabinet members, Ella Worthington (appointed Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, welcomed to Cabinet 'in her new capacity') is the only one identified as female, making the cabinet majority-male as recorded.
“County Councillor Simon Evans County Councillor David Dwyer County Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy County Councillor Daniel Matchett County Councillor Brian Moore County Councillor Tom Pickup County Councillor Joshua Roberts County Councillor Matthew Salter County Councillor Ella Worthington” source ↗
Leicestershire County Council
Leicestershire's Cabinet minutes of 26 May 2026 (the first Cabinet meeting following the 13 May 2026 Annual Council meeting at which Mr Dan Harrison was appointed Leader) record nine members with the honorific 'Mr.' present or in attendance (D. Harrison in the Chair, C. Abbott, K. Crook, H. Fowler, A. Hamilton-Gray, P. Harrison, C. Pugsley, M. Squires, and A. Innes CC in attendance) and one member, Dr. J. Bloxham, whose title in the minutes does not itself indicate gender; a further member recorded as an apology, A. Tilbury, also carries 'Mr.'
“PRESENT Mr. D. Harrison CC (in the Chair) Mr. C. Abbott CC Dr. J. Bloxham CC Mr. K. Crook CC Mr. H. Fowler CC Mr. A. Hamilton-Gray CC Mr. P. Harrison CC Mr. C. Pugsley CC Mr. M. Squires CC In attendance Mr. A. Innes CC Apologies Mr. A. Tilbury CC” source ↗
Staffordshire County Council
Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet, as recorded in the attendance and apologies list of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 June 2026, comprised ten named members: Sean Bagguley, Hayley Coles, Robin Hall, Janet Higgins, Nicholas Lakin, Martin Murray (Chairperson), Martin Rogerson and Anthony Screen present, with Peter Mason and Andrew Mynors recorded as apologies. Of these, two are women (Hayley Coles, Janet Higgins) and at least seven are men (Sean Bagguley, Nicholas Lakin, Martin Murray, Martin Rogerson, Anthony Screen, Peter Mason, Andrew Mynors), making it a majority-male Cabinet as the document records it.
“Sean Bagguley Hayley Coles Robin Hall Janet Higgins Nicholas Lakin Martin Murray (Chairperson) Martin Rogerson Anthony Screen” source ↗
Derived from an exhaustive search for “majority-male cabinet / executive (published executive arrangements)”, counted against the corpus as of 2026-06-17.
5 councils recorded a decision to recommission, extend or jointly procure domestic-abuse safe accommodation under their Part 4 duty (Domestic Abuse Act 2021)
Staffordshire County Council
Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet resolved on 20 May 2026 to recommission domestic abuse support in safe accommodation (DASSA), directly awarding contracts under the Procurement Act 2023 to Staffordshire Women's Aid, The Pathway Project and GLOW (Honeycomb charity services) for up to four years (an initial 3-year term from 1 April 2027, with an option to extend by one year). The recommissioning was recorded as continuing the council's duty, under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, to fund support for victims of domestic abuse and their families in safe accommodation.
“Reasons for the Decision – To consider to proposals to recommission domestic abuse support in safe accommodation services under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). Decision – (a) That the proposed recommissioning approach whereby (i) Staffordshire Women’s Aid (ii) The Pathway Project and (iii) GLOW (Honeycomb charity services) are directly awarded contracts under the PA23 for up to four years with an initial 3-year contract period from 1st April 2027 (with an option to extend for an additional one-year period), be approved.” source ↗
North Northamptonshire Council
On 15 July 2025 the Executive resolved (KEY DECISION, item 'Safe Accommodation (Domestic Abuse) Commissioning', introduced by Kerry Purnell, Assistant Director of Communities and Leisure) to authorise a joint procurement with West Northamptonshire Council for safe accommodation (refuge) provision for domestic abuse victims/survivors, replacing the existing grant-funded arrangement; the report gave the council's statutory duty under the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Act as the reason, and recorded that continuing the existing grant arrangement (Option 2) was 'not recommended'.
“KEY DECISION That the Executive: a) Authorised commencement of procurement, jointly with West Northamptonshire Council, for safe accommodation (refuge) provision for victims and survivors of domestic abuse within Northamptonshire.” source ↗
West Northamptonshire Council
West Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet resolved on 16 July 2025 to begin a joint procurement with North Northamptonshire Council for a new Safe Accommodation (refuge) and Support Services contract for domestic abuse victims and survivors, replacing the prior grant-funded arrangement, to meet the council's statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Councillor Thomas Manning presented the report and Councillor Nigel Stansfield proposed the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Andrew Last, and Cabinet agreed them.
“Approved the commencement of a competitive procurement process, jointly with North Northamptonshire Council to tender for a Safe Accommodation (refuge) and Support Services to start 4th April 2026 for a period of 3 (plus 1 plus 1) years.” source ↗
Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to agree the recommendations of a report titled 'Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation', introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety; the substance of the decision was withheld from the public minutes as exempt information.
“11. Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Councillor Dale Bridgewater, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, introduced this item and summarised the exempt report. Resolved That the recommendations be agreed as per the exempt report.” source ↗
Kent County Council
A proposed Leader's Executive Key Decision (26/00039) records approval to extend the Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) contract SC220255 to 31 January 2028, with the decision's stated reasons including the need to 'ensure continued compliance with the Grant conditions and statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021' and to support delivery of the Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029.
“3. APPROVE the extension of Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) contract SC 220255 up until 31 January 2028 (10 months).” source ↗
Derived from an exhaustive search for “domestic-abuse safe-accommodation recommissioning (Part 4, Domestic Abuse Act 2021)”, counted against the corpus as of 2026-05-20.
3 councils recorded a decision to recommission or extend a community-based (non-accommodation) domestic-abuse support service
Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to authorise a competitive tender process to recommission the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service, a countywide community-based counselling and therapy service for child and adult domestic abuse victim-survivors, at a lower contract value than the previous round.
“Authorises the Executive Director for Social Care and Health to commence the procurement process for the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service” source ↗
Kent County Council
A proposed Leader's Executive Key Decision (26/00039, Extension of Domestic Abuse Act Framework and associated services) records that the council agreed to approve extension of the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) — its community-based referral, assessment and triage service for domestic-abuse survivors — to 31 January 2028, while commissioners progress recommissioning of domestic-abuse support services into a single 'Kent Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Service (KIFDAS)'.
“APPROVE the extension of Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) including Referral, Assessment and Triage service and services delivered under contract SS 16041 up until 31 January 2028 (10 months).” source ↗
West Northamptonshire Council
The same 16 July 2025 Cabinet decision recommissioned support for domestic abuse victims and survivors beyond accommodation, explicitly extending to those living in their own homes (a community-based, non-accommodation strand), as part of the jointly procured contract with North Northamptonshire Council, replacing an existing grant-funded arrangement that Cabinet found did not deliver a whole-system model.
“To ensure West Northamptonshire Council fulfil its responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and to provide enhanced support in safe accommodation which includes refuges and support, safe move-on accommodation as well as victims/survivors living in their own homes.” source ↗
Derived from an exhaustive search for “community-based domestic-abuse service recommissioning”, counted against the corpus as of 2026-05-12.

Who governs: reading the gender of the cabinets

How a majority becomes visible differs from council to council, because the minutes disclose members' gender in different ways.[1][5][6] Kent's minutes carry courtesy titles ('Mr', 'Mrs', 'Miss', 'Ms'), so the balance of men and women reads directly off the attendance list.[1] Leicestershire's do the same with 'Mr.' and 'Dr.', though one member's honorific does not itself reveal gender.[5] Where titles are absent the reading rests on other cues: Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and North Northamptonshire are legible mainly through first names, and West Northamptonshire through the 'he' and 'she' used of members elsewhere in the minutes.[7][8][9][6] Two councils stand outside the comparison because their published executive membership is given by initials only. Lincolnshire applies no courtesy title to any member, so its arrangements state no member's gender at all.[10] Derbyshire is recorded the same way, and its minutes confirm gender for only some members through later 'he' and 'she' references, too few to establish a majority-male cabinet from the published membership.[11][12][13][14]

Domestic abuse: the statutory safe-accommodation duty

Every council that acted did so under the same instrument, Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a duty on upper-tier authorities to fund support for victims in safe accommodation.[2][15] The commonest move was to replace a grant-funded arrangement with a procured contract: North and West Northamptonshire ran a single joint procurement for refuge provision, having found the existing grant model did not deliver a whole-system service.[16][17][18] Staffordshire recommissioned by directly awarding contracts to three named women's-aid and support charities under the Procurement Act 2023.[2] Kent extended its existing Safe Accommodation Support Service to January 2028 to keep compliance with the Part 4 duty while a wider recommissioning proceeds.[15] Warwickshire took its safe-accommodation decision on an exempt report, and told Cabinet that the duty, once met from a ring-fenced Section 31 grant, had moved into the council's core budget from April 2025.[19][20] Elsewhere the record stops short of a decision: Leicestershire approved only a twelve-week consultation on a draft strategy, its scrutiny members noting a current shortfall of safe accommodation attributed to the wider lack of housing.[21][22] Lincolnshire's scrutiny committee was told provision had been increased and needs were monitored, and Nottinghamshire's committee only noted a draft strategy, having heard that its duty funding will shrink after local government reorganisation and services be recommissioned from 2029 on a smaller footprint.[23][3]

Community services beyond accommodation

Beyond the safe-accommodation duty councils also fund community-based domestic-abuse and VAWG services, and here the recommissioning came with a value-for-money frame: Warwickshire authorised re-procuring its specialist counselling and therapy service at a lower contract value than the previous round.[24] West Northamptonshire's recommissioning reached explicitly beyond accommodation to victims living in their own homes, and Kent moved its community referral, assessment and triage service toward a single integrated family service.[18][25] Where a council debated rather than decided, the outcome was mixed: Kent's full council put a motion for a broader VAWG strategy, public-awareness campaigns, bystander training and a women's night-time safety charter, and lost it on a recorded vote.[4] Lancashire's full council instead carried a VAWG motion, resolving to continue funding specialist services and to ask the Leader to appoint a member champion, and a scrutiny committee later asked that any public-health underspend be considered for domestic-abuse and community-safety services.[26][27] North Northamptonshire adopted a new Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy for 2026-2030 but recorded no decision on any specific community service under it.[28] Lincolnshire's members were assured that community-commissioned domestic-abuse services would not be reduced by its new crime and disorder strategy, and in Derbyshire a police and crime panel only noted an update on the commissioner's VAWG priority, with no service decision recorded.[29][30]

White Ribbon and the men's-violence pledge

On White Ribbon accreditation, the standing organisational pledge to act on men's violence against women and girls, the two councils that touched it went opposite ways.[31][32] County Durham's domestic-abuse partnership reported that its White Ribbon accreditation had been re-accredited, and an officer confirmed support for the campaign would be increased.[31][33] Kent's commitment to remaining a White Ribbon accredited organisation was part of the same VAWG motion that was lost, and a later cabinet committee left the suggestion to be explored through existing partnership groups rather than recorded as a renewal.[32][34]

References

1. Kent County Council's published Cabinet minutes record a 10-member Cabinet titled with 6 male ('Mr') and 4 female ('Mrs'/'Miss'/'Ms') members throughout the Reform administration: at the 22 July 2025 meeting (two months after Reform took control) the Cabinet comprised Mr B Collins, Mrs B Fordham, Mr M Fraser Moat, Ms L Kemkaran (Leader), Mr P King, Miss D Morton, Mrs C Palmer, Mr P Webb, Mr D Wimble and Mr P Osborne, and the same 6 male/4 female split (with Mr C Hespe replacing Mr Fraser Moat) was still recorded at the 26 March 2026 meeting -- a majority-male Cabinet, 6 of 10.
“PRESENT: Mr B Collins, Mrs B Fordham, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr P King, Miss D Morton, Mrs C Palmer, Mr P Webb, Mr D Wimble, Mr P Osborne and Mr C Hespe” Minutes, 26 March 2026 ↗
“PRESENT: Mr B Collins, Mrs B Fordham, Mr M Fraser Moat, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr P King, Miss D Morton, Mrs C Palmer, Mr P Webb, Mr D Wimble and Mr P Osborne” Minutes, 22 July 2025 ↗
2. Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet resolved on 20 May 2026 to recommission domestic abuse support in safe accommodation (DASSA), directly awarding contracts under the Procurement Act 2023 to Staffordshire Women's Aid, The Pathway Project and GLOW (Honeycomb charity services) for up to four years (an initial 3-year term from 1 April 2027, with an option to extend by one year). The recommissioning was recorded as continuing the council's duty, under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, to fund support for victims of domestic abuse and their families in safe accommodation.
“The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 placed a Duty on Tier 1 Local Authorities to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their families living in safe accommodation settings and grant funding is provided accordingly.” Document, 17 December 2025 ↗
“Reasons for the Decision – To consider to proposals to recommission domestic abuse support in safe accommodation services under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). Decision – (a) That the proposed recommissioning approach whereby (i) Staffordshire Women’s Aid (ii) The Pathway Project and (iii) GLOW (Honeycomb charity services) are directly awarded contracts under the PA23 for up to four years with an initial 3-year contract period from 1st April 2027 (with an option to extend for an additional one-year period), be approved.” Minutes, 20 May 2026 ↗
3. Nottinghamshire County Council's Overview Committee, scrutinising the draft Nottinghamshire Domestic Abuse Strategy (2026-2029) introduced by Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, was told that core funding for the service was provided through the statutory Domestic Abuse Duty, allocated to the Council by population, that this funding would reduce following Local Government Reorganisation because the Council area would be smaller, and that safe-accommodation services would need to be recommissioned from 2029 on the new Council footprint. The Committee's recorded resolution only noted the Strategy and asked for an implementation report after one year; the retrieved minutes do not record Cabinet or full Council making a decision to commission, recommission, reduce or decommission Part 4 safe-accommodation funding.
“Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health introduced the report which provided the draft Nottinghamshire Domestic Abuse Strategy (2026-2029) for consideration and feedback from the Committee.” Document, 12 March 2026 ↗
“Core funding for the service was provided via the Domestic Abuse Duty which was allocated to the Council based on population numbers. This meant that the funding would reduce following LGR as the Council area would be smaller than it was currently. Services would need to be recommissioned from 2029 based on the new Council footprint following LGR.” Document, 12 March 2026 ↗
“RESOLVED 2026/002 1) That the considerations and comments of Overview Committee on the draft Nottinghamshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026-2029 be noted.” Document, 12 March 2026 ↗
4. On 10 July 2025 Kent County Council debated a Motion for Time Limited Debate, moved by Mr Hood and seconded by Mr Jeffery (amended by Mrs Dean and Mr Hook), calling on the Executive to develop 'a broader and comprehensive VAWG Strategy' with public awareness campaigns, bystander training and a Women's Night-Time Safety Charter; the substantive motion (as amended) was put to a vote and lost, 22 for to 41 against (3 abstentions), so the council did not adopt a decision to expand community-based VAWG/domestic-abuse services.
“Following the debate, the Vice-Chairman put the substantive motion (as amended) in paragraph 3 to the vote and the voting was as follows.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Motion Lost.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Mr Hood proposed, and Mr Jeffery seconded the motion that:” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Call on the Executive to develop a broader and comprehensive VAWG Strategy which should include the introduction of public awareness campaigns and bystander training to challenge problematic behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
5. Leicestershire's Cabinet minutes of 26 May 2026 (the first Cabinet meeting following the 13 May 2026 Annual Council meeting at which Mr Dan Harrison was appointed Leader) record nine members with the honorific 'Mr.' present or in attendance (D. Harrison in the Chair, C. Abbott, K. Crook, H. Fowler, A. Hamilton-Gray, P. Harrison, C. Pugsley, M. Squires, and A. Innes CC in attendance) and one member, Dr. J. Bloxham, whose title in the minutes does not itself indicate gender; a further member recorded as an apology, A. Tilbury, also carries 'Mr.'
“PRESENT Mr. D. Harrison CC (in the Chair) Mr. C. Abbott CC Dr. J. Bloxham CC Mr. K. Crook CC Mr. H. Fowler CC Mr. A. Hamilton-Gray CC Mr. P. Harrison CC Mr. C. Pugsley CC Mr. M. Squires CC In attendance Mr. A. Innes CC Apologies Mr. A. Tilbury CC” Minutes, 26 May 2026 ↗
6. Minutes elsewhere in the corpus refer to five of those nine, Councillor Mark Arnull (the Leader), Councillor Charlie Hastie, Councillor Richard Butler, Councillor Andrew Last and Councillor John Slope, with the pronouns "he"/"his", and to two of them, Councillor Laura Couse and Councillor Kamala Guliyeva, with "she"/"her", so the nine-member Cabinet is majority male as the minutes record it.
“Councillor Butler was unfortunately ill when the last HS2 Liaison Group meeting took place but he had been in contact” Minutes, 26 June 2025 ↗
“Councillor Charlie Hastie, speaking in his capacity as a local ward member for Woodford and Weedon” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
“Councillor Arnull advised that he could provide an update on devolution to a future Panel meeting” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
“Councillor John Slope, speaking in his capacity as a local ward member for Moulton” Minutes, 7 May 2026 ↗
“She advised that she had met with the Interim Director of Public Health and the Director of Adult Social Care to form a plan to tackle health inequality” Minutes, 26 June 2025 ↗
“Councillor Kamala Guliyeva advised that she was personally acquainted with one of the appointed individuals” Minutes, 26 March 2026 ↗
“He assured Council that Reform UK was an inclusive political party and no member of any group should feel afraid or worried to come to work.” Minutes, 25 September 2025 ↗
7. The minutes of Lancashire County Council's Cabinet meeting of 4 June 2026 record the Cabinet as County Councillor Stephen Atkinson (Leader of the Council, in the Chair) plus eight Cabinet Members: County Councillors Simon Evans, David Dwyer, Warren Goldsworthy, Daniel Matchett, Brian Moore, Tom Pickup, Joshua Roberts, Matthew Salter and Ella Worthington; of these nine named cabinet members, Ella Worthington (appointed Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, welcomed to Cabinet 'in her new capacity') is the only one identified as female, making the cabinet majority-male as recorded.
“County Councillor Stephen Atkinson Leader of the Council (in the Chair)” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
“The Leader welcomed County Councillor Ella Worthington to Cabinet in her new capacity as the Cabinet Member for Civic Pride.” Minutes, 15 April 2026 ↗
“County Councillor Simon Evans County Councillor David Dwyer County Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy County Councillor Daniel Matchett County Councillor Brian Moore County Councillor Tom Pickup County Councillor Joshua Roberts County Councillor Matthew Salter County Councillor Ella Worthington” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
8. Nottinghamshire County Council's published Cabinet minutes list its Cabinet membership as ten councillors: Mick Barton (Chairman), Dr John Doddy (Vice-Chairman), Barry Answer, Bert Bingham, Rory Green, Dawn Justice, Stuart Matthews, James Walker-Gurley, Martin Wright and Simon Wright; of the ten names recorded, nine (Barton, Doddy, Answer, Bingham, Green, Matthews, Walker-Gurley, Martin Wright, Simon Wright) are conventionally male first names and one (Dawn Justice) is a conventionally female first name, so the published executive arrangements record a majority-male Cabinet. This membership list was unchanged (bar recorded apologies) as of the most recent Cabinet meeting on 23 April 2026.
“minutes Meeting Cabinet Date Thursday 23 April 2026 (commencing at 10.30 am) membership COUNCILLORS Mick Barton (Chairman) Dr John Doddy (Vice-Chairman) - apologies Barry Answer Bert Bingham Rory Green Dawn Justice Stuart Matthews James Walker-Gurley Martin Wright - apologies Simon Wright - apologies” Document, 11 June 2026 ↗
“membership COUNCILLORS Mick Barton (Chairman) Dr John Doddy (Vice-Chairman) Barry Answer Bert Bingham Rory Green Dawn Justice Stuart Matthews James Walker-Gurley Martin Wright Simon Wright” Document, 5 March 2026 ↗
9. On 22 May 2025 North Northamptonshire Council's Annual Council meeting confirmed the Executive appointments and portfolios made by the Leader for 2025/26: Leader Cllr Martin Griffiths plus nine other members (Deputy Leader Cllr Eddie McDonald, and Cllrs Graham Cheatley, Ken Harrington, Elizabeth Wright, Chris McGiffen, Jan O'Hara, Kirk Harrison, Gregory Wilcox and Barry O'Brien). Of the 10 named Executive members, only Cllr Elizabeth Wright has a name conventionally associated with women; the council's published executive arrangements do not separately record members' gender.
“That the Executive appointments and portfolios made by the Leader of the Council for 2025/26 be noted as follows:” Decisions, 22 May 2025 ↗
“Councillor Martin Griffiths Leader/ Big 50, housing, human resources and devolution” Decisions, 22 May 2025 ↗
“Councillor Eddie McDonald Deputy Leader/Adults & Health Partnerships” Decisions, 22 May 2025 ↗
“Councillor Elizabeth Wright Children, Education & Families” Decisions, 22 May 2025 ↗
10. Lincolnshire County Council's Executive (cabinet), as recorded in its published minutes (e.g. 2 December 2025), comprises Leader Councillor S Matthews and eight portfolio-holder Executive Councillors (R A Gibson, Deputy Leader; T C Catton; M S Cheyne; S W Clegg; L M Kelly; A McGonigle; N R Oliver; D Brookes). The minutes name each member by initials only and do not apply a courtesy title such as 'Mrs' to any of them, unlike other Lincolnshire committee minutes in the same corpus which do record some members with that title; the published executive arrangements do not themselves state each member's gender.
“Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Brookes (Executive Councillor for Environment)” Minutes, 2 December 2025 ↗
“PRESENT: COUNCILLOR S MATTHEWS (LEADER OF THE COUNCIL) Councillors R A Gibson (Executive Councillor for Community Engagement) (Deputy Leader), T C Catton (Executive Councillor for Resources), M S Cheyne (Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport), S W Clegg (Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health), L M Kelly (Executive Councillor for Growth), A McGonigle (Executive Councillor for Community Safety) and N R Oliver (Executive Councillor for Children's Services)” Minutes, 2 December 2025 ↗
11. Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet, as recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2026, comprised the Leader (Councillor A Graves, in the Chair) and nine other members: Councillors J Barnes, C Hill, J Lawson, S Mabbott, P Maginnis, P Parkin, D Price, S Reed and C Wood.
“PRESENT Councillor A Graves (in the Chair) Councillors J Barnes, C Hill, J Lawson, S Mabbott, P Maginnis, P Parkin, D Price, S Reed and C Wood.” Minutes, 21 May 2026 ↗
12. Derbyshire's minutes refer to Councillor C Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, with the pronouns 'she'/'her' and record her first name as Charlotte, recording her as female.
“can Councillor Hill confirm that she does know who's dealing with this particular problem within her department? Does she not know or does she just not care?” Minutes, 11 February 2026 ↗
“The policy is there which is now under Charlotte [Hill].” Minutes, 10 December 2025 ↗
13. Derbyshire's minutes refer to Councillor J Lawson with the pronoun 'he', recording him as male.
“Councillor Lawson recently stated publicly that he's concerned about low staff morale” Minutes, 9 July 2025 ↗
14. Derbyshire's minutes refer to the Leader of the Council, Councillor A Graves, with the pronoun 'he', recording him as male.
“Councillor Graves had declared a personal interest as he knew three of the candidates being interviewed.” Minutes, 19 November 2025 ↗
15. A proposed Leader's Executive Key Decision (26/00039) records approval to extend the Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) contract SC220255 to 31 January 2028, with the decision's stated reasons including the need to 'ensure continued compliance with the Grant conditions and statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021' and to support delivery of the Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029.
“3. APPROVE the extension of Safe Accommodation Support Service (SASS) contract SC 220255 up until 31 January 2028 (10 months).” Decisions, 2 July 2026 ↗
“Ensure continued compliance with the Grant conditions and statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021,” Decisions, 2 July 2026 ↗
16. On 15 July 2025 the Executive resolved (KEY DECISION, item 'Safe Accommodation (Domestic Abuse) Commissioning', introduced by Kerry Purnell, Assistant Director of Communities and Leisure) to authorise a joint procurement with West Northamptonshire Council for safe accommodation (refuge) provision for domestic abuse victims/survivors, replacing the existing grant-funded arrangement; the report gave the council's statutory duty under the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Act as the reason, and recorded that continuing the existing grant arrangement (Option 2) was 'not recommended'.
“delivery of a single contract that is targeted at victims/survivors of domestic abuse is a key component in how we deliver on our statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Act.” Decisions, 15 July 2025 ↗
“Option 2- not recommended Council continues to fund the service under the existing grant arrangement.” Decisions, 15 July 2025 ↗
“KEY DECISION That the Executive: a) Authorised commencement of procurement, jointly with West Northamptonshire Council, for safe accommodation (refuge) provision for victims and survivors of domestic abuse within Northamptonshire.” Minutes, 15 July 2025 ↗
“Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities, to take any further decisions and/or actions required to undertake and conclude the procurement, award and enter into a contract for the provision of safe accommodation (refuge) across Northamptonshire.” Decisions, 15 July 2025 ↗
17. West Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet resolved on 16 July 2025 to begin a joint procurement with North Northamptonshire Council for a new Safe Accommodation (refuge) and Support Services contract for domestic abuse victims and survivors, replacing the prior grant-funded arrangement, to meet the council's statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Councillor Thomas Manning presented the report and Councillor Nigel Stansfield proposed the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Andrew Last, and Cabinet agreed them.
“Approved the commencement of a competitive procurement process, jointly with North Northamptonshire Council to tender for a Safe Accommodation (refuge) and Support Services to start 4th April 2026 for a period of 3 (plus 1 plus 1) years.” Decisions, 16 July 2025 ↗
“To ensure West Northamptonshire Council fulfil its responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and to provide enhanced support in safe accommodation which includes refuges and support, safe move-on accommodation as well as victims/survivors living in their own homes.” Decisions, 16 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Nigel Stansfield proposed the recommendations, Councillor Andrew Last seconded. The Cabinet agreed the recommendations.” Minutes, 16 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Thomas Manning presented the report, highlighting its significance in addressing both statutory and moral obligations.” Minutes, 16 July 2025 ↗
18. The same 16 July 2025 Cabinet decision recommissioned support for domestic abuse victims and survivors beyond accommodation, explicitly extending to those living in their own homes (a community-based, non-accommodation strand), as part of the jointly procured contract with North Northamptonshire Council, replacing an existing grant-funded arrangement that Cabinet found did not deliver a whole-system model.
“To ensure West Northamptonshire Council fulfil its responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and to provide enhanced support in safe accommodation which includes refuges and support, safe move-on accommodation as well as victims/survivors living in their own homes.” Decisions, 16 July 2025 ↗
“The existing commissioning arrangements fail to deliver a whole system model of safe accommodation (refuge) and support service for victims/survivors of domestic abuse that addresses demand and need.” Decisions, 16 July 2025 ↗
19. Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to agree the recommendations of a report titled 'Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation', introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety; the substance of the decision was withheld from the public minutes as exempt information.
“11. Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Councillor Dale Bridgewater, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, introduced this item and summarised the exempt report. Resolved That the recommendations be agreed as per the exempt report.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
20. Warwickshire's Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health told Cabinet on 10 July 2025 that the Council's statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 had, to that date, been funded through a Section 31 Safe Accommodation Grant, but that from April 2025 this funding had become part of the Council's core budget, in the same report that recommissioned the associated DASCAT counselling and therapy service at a reduced contract value.
“Councillor Sonko explained the Council’s statutory duties under part four of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and noted that to date funding of the Council’s duties had been through a Section 31 Safe Accommodation Grant but, from April 2025, this had become part of the Council's core funding.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
21. Leicestershire's Cabinet, on 24 March 2026, approved a twelve-week public consultation on a draft Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-2029, with the recorded reasons for decision citing the Council's statutory duty under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to support victims and survivors in safe accommodation; this is a strategy-consultation decision, not itself a recorded decision to commission, recommission, reduce or decommission safe-accommodation funding.
“The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which sought approval to undertake a public and stakeholder consultation on the Leicestershire Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026 -29.” Minutes, 24 March 2026 ↗
“Consultation is required to ensure the Council is meeting its statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including responsibilities relating to support for victims and survivors in safe accommodation.” Minutes, 24 March 2026 ↗
22. Leicestershire's Scrutiny Commission, on 22 April 2026, recorded that members questioned the availability of safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims, noting a current shortfall attributed by officers to the wider lack of housing supply; the Commission resolved only to note the update and pass comments to Cabinet, with no recorded decision to commission, recommission, reduce or decommission safe-accommodation funding.
“members questioned the availability of ‘safe accommodation’ of which there was currently a shortfall. The Director advised that the primary constraint was the wider lack of housing supply across the region.” Minutes, 22 April 2026 ↗
23. At the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee on 31 March 2026, during consideration of the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-28 update, officers told members that domestic abuse safe accommodation provision had been increased and that service needs were continuously monitored.
“Members queried if there were enough safe accommodation units available. Officers noted provision had been increased and service needs were continuously monitored.” Minutes, 31 March 2026 ↗
24. Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to authorise a competitive tender process to recommission the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service, a countywide community-based counselling and therapy service for child and adult domestic abuse victim-survivors, at a lower contract value than the previous round.
“Recommissioning of the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy Service (DASCAT)” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Sonko explained that the Council currently commissioned a countywide counselling and therapy service for children and adult victim survivors of domestic abuse under a contract which would expire on 31 May 2026 and the service needed to be re-procured.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Jonathan Chilvers noted that the service would be recommissioned at a lower value than the last round” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Authorises the Executive Director for Social Care and Health to commence the procurement process for the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
25. A proposed Leader's Executive Key Decision (26/00039, Extension of Domestic Abuse Act Framework and associated services) records that the council agreed to approve extension of the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) — its community-based referral, assessment and triage service for domestic-abuse survivors — to 31 January 2028, while commissioners progress recommissioning of domestic-abuse support services into a single 'Kent Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Service (KIFDAS)'.
“APPROVE the extension of Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (KIDAS) including Referral, Assessment and Triage service and services delivered under contract SS 16041 up until 31 January 2028 (10 months).” Decisions, 2 July 2026 ↗
“Commissioners are progressing the recommissioning of domestic abuse support services and the proposed development of the new Kent Integrated Family Domestic Abuse Service (KIFDAS)” Decisions, 2 July 2026 ↗
26. On 17 July 2025 Lancashire County Council's Full Council carried a Notice of Motion on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), moved by County Councillor Samara Barnes and seconded by County Councillor Gina Dowding, with a friendly amendment from County Councillor Maria Jones; the council resolved to continue funding specialist VAWG services and to ask the Leader to appoint a member champion for VAWG.
“It was moved by County Councillor Samara Barnes and seconded by County Councillor Gina Dowding that:” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“ii. To continue to fund much needed specialist services across Lancashire.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“the substantive Motion was put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
27. On 30 April 2026 the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, after receiving a presentation on domestic abuse as a public health issue, resolved that consideration be given to using any identified Public Health underspend to increase funding for domestic abuse, community safety and related preventative services, and that further consideration be given to additional support for voluntary and third-sector organisations delivering domestic abuse and community safety services.
“Consideration be given to whether any identified Public Health underspend could be used to increase funding to support Domestic Abuse, community safety and related preventative services, consistent with Public Health priorities.” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
“Further consideration be given to additional support for voluntary and third sector organisations delivering Domestic Abuse and community safety services” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
“4. Domestic Abuse - A Public Health Approach” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
28. On 12 May 2026 the Executive resolved (KEY DECISION) to approve the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030 for adoption and implementation, moved by Cllr Greg Wilcox (Executive Member for Communities) and seconded by Cllr Ken Harrington, following an earlier Place & Environment Scrutiny Committee item on 2 April 2026 that recommended the strategy's action plan return for further scrutiny; the decision approves a strategy framework covering prevention, victim support and partnership coordination and does not record a decision to cut, expand or recommission any specific community-based domestic-abuse or sexual-violence service.
“Cllr Ken Harrington seconded the report, drawing on personal experience to emphasise the importance of listening to victims and ensuring concerns were taken seriously.” Minutes, 12 May 2026 ↗
“Recommended that officers present the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy action plan to a future meeting of the Place & Environment Scrutiny Committee for further scrutiny.” Decisions, 2 April 2026 ↗
“KEY DECISION That the Executive: a) Approved the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030 for adoption and implementation by the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership Board, on behalf of the Community Safety Partnership.” Minutes, 12 May 2026 ↗
29. Lincolnshire County Council's Community Safety Scrutiny Committee discussed the Section 17 Crime and Disorder Strategy on 25 November 2025; in response to member questions, officers confirmed that community-commissioned domestic abuse support services would not be reduced as a result of the new strategy, and the Committee resolved to recommend the strategy to the Executive. The strategy was approved by full Council on 19 December 2025.
“THE COUNCIL'S SECTION 17 CRIME AND DISORDER REDUCTION STRATEGY” Document, 20 February 2026 ↗
“services commissioned to support those suffering from domestic abuse. It was explained that such services would not reduce as a result of this strategy” Minutes, 13 January 2026 ↗
“That the recommendations to the Executive as detailed on page 15 of the report be supported” Minutes, 13 January 2026 ↗
30. Derbyshire's corpus records a Police and Crime Panel update on the Police and Crime Commissioner's strategic priority on Violence Against Women and Girls, which the panel resolved only to note; no decision to cut, expand or recommission a community-based domestic-abuse or sexual-violence service is recorded.
“RESOLVED to note the update in relation to progress against the strategic priority, Serious Violence including Violence against Women and Girls.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“The Police and Crime Commissioner updated members about the progress made concerning the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) strategic priority on 'Serious Violence, including Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG)'.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
31. The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group (DASVEG) Annual Report presented to County Durham's Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 8 December 2025 recorded that the council's White Ribbon accreditation had been renewed.
“It was shared that the White Ribbon accreditation had been re-accredited to the authority.” Minutes, 8 December 2025 ↗
32. On 10 July 2025 Kent County Council put to the vote a substantive motion whose resolutions included to 'agree an ongoing commitment to be a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation' and promote White Ribbon Champions among Members; moved by Mr Hood and seconded by Mr Jeffery, the motion was lost 22 votes to 41 with 3 abstentions, so the council did not record a decision to reaffirm White Ribbon accreditation.
“Agree an ongoing commitment to be a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation and agree to promote the opportunities for any Members to serve as a White Ribbon Champion.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Following the debate, the Vice-Chairman put the substantive motion (as amended) in paragraph 3 to the vote and the voting was as follows.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Motion Lost.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Mr Hood proposed, and Mr Jeffery seconded the motion that:” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
33. The same meeting recorded continuing council support for the White Ribbon Campaign, with an officer confirming that support would be increased and that Clare's Law awareness would also be raised, following a suggestion from a councillor that the campaign should be championed by Members.
“Councillor Bowron shared that the profile of Clare’s Law and the White Ribbon Campaign should be championed by Members. The Public Health Strategic Manager noted that support for the White Ribbon Campaign would be increased” Minutes, 8 December 2025 ↗
34. At the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 6 May 2026, in a report noting progress on the Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse Strategy, Members suggested 'extending initiatives such as the White Ribbon campaign'; officers 'agreed to explore them further through existing partnership groups' rather than the council recording a decision to renew or extend accreditation.
“Suggestions included further development of active bystander training and extending initiatives such as the White Ribbon campaign.” Minutes, 6 May 2026 ↗
“Officers acknowledged these suggestions and agreed to explore them further through existing partnership groups.” Minutes, 6 May 2026 ↗