Cheshire East needs to review its domestic abuse strategy 'at pace' and scrutinise it at committee so the council can be assured vulnerable children are being safeguarded, a councillor has said.

The council has come under fire recently from domestic abuse survivors, the public, and some councillors for removing its funding from the charity MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse).

Cllr Jos Saunders (Poynton, Con) told Thursday's (March 20) meeting of the corporate policy committee, she thought the rag-rating for the domestic abuse strategy, which the council had put at amber – meaning it was considered to be mainly on track with minor issues – should instead be downgraded to red, meaning it is off track, with major issues.

"As we know, Cheshire Without Abuse, have had their contract ended. It was not scrutinised at the children and families committee," said Cllr Saunders.

"We were told in November 2023, that the strategy was going to be refreshed, which is what this refers to, and it says the draft strategy will form the basis of the whole service review to be conducted this year.

"However, we have had a really highly critical report on our children who are at risk of exploitation, whether it be sexual, financial, criminal.

"These are the very children who, many of them will be in these households who are at risk of domestic violence and domestic abuse.

"So, I think this should be rag-rated red.

"We need to be looking at this review at pace and delivering the necessary changes.

"And I would certainly hope that it will come back to the children and families committee for adequate scrutiny so we can be assured that these children are being safeguarded in the necessary way."

Council leader Nick Mannion (Macclesfield, Lab) said he had repeatedly asked questions about the service provision and delivery and had received 'categoric assurances' that the council's provision of 24/7, 365 days a year, continues and is ongoing.

He added: "But I will say that there has been a lot of… opinion around the ending of the twice extended externally funding contract to a particular not-for-profit organisation.

"But the reality and the reassurance I can offer and I've received… is that the council's offer and delivery of services to those at risk of suffering from domestic violence is undiminished and will continue to do so, and the incoming strategy will continue to develop, improve that and build on best practice."