pg. 7

"7. Signatures

Statements analysed in this report continue to lack appropriate signatures. Given the likely robust approval process carried out by Councils before a statement is published, the lack of a signature makes it fall short of the expectations established by the MSA, which is especially unfortunate where a statement is overall highly detailed and fulfils other expectations. A signature elevates the authenticity of a statement and approves the details contained therein.

Still, no guidance has been published as to whom is the appropriate person to sign a Council statement. We maintain our earlier suggestion that ideally the statement would be co-signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, or equivalent position, such as the Chief Operating Officer. A Director or a senior enough Portfolio Holder, for example a cabinet member councillor, could also be considered a relevant person, especially in smaller district councils. In any event, the approval process has to demonstrate that the statement has been discussed and approved at the highest level of governance of the institution and reflects an overall commitment from those in positions of authority. The rationale being that modern slavery awareness and the commitment to combat abuse remain at the core of each organisation.

Signed statements continue to display the signatures of the Chief Executive and/or Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder (of various departments, such as Communities, HR or Equalities). Due to the unique structure of the City of London, a signature from a Town Clerk, a deceptively insignificant sounding title which is in reality a central position combined with the position of the Chief Executive, of course satisfies the requirement. Conversely, a signature from a Town Solicitor may not be adequate.xv Local authorities should always contemplate if the person signing the statement is truly representative of the Council as a whole."