TWO local authorities look set to pool nearly £650,000 to create a single domestic abuse refuge and accommodation-based service.

North Yorkshire County and City of York councils are due to approve commissioning a single specialist service to providing housing and enable victims and their families to make informed choices about their safety, health, housing and any other identified needs.

The refuge service provides short-term accommodation with support to females fleeing domestic abuse. Dependent male children up to the age of 16 can be accommodated with their families.

An officers’ report to the North Yorkshire council’s health and adult services executive members committee states while domestic abuse is an issue that cuts across local authorities, policing and health agendas, the complex nature of domestic abuse means that it cannot be addressed by one agency alone, so to tackle it effectively “we need a true multi-agency approach”.

The report states: “A partnership that is overseen by strong local leadership and underpinned by effective commissioning will allow victims to access the right services at the right time.

“Although there are no specific savings identified for this service there are likely to be efficiencies by having one lot across North Yorkshire and York and tender submissions may come in below budget as potential providers will be challenged on service costs by going through a competitive process.”