Issue - meetings

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Y Gagen)

Councillor Yvonne Gagen introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources, which presented the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and the Equality Objectives for the period 2022 to 2026.

The minute of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 24 February 2022 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details set out in the report before it and the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED:   A.   That the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for the Council and the Equality Objectives 2022-2026, be approved.

B.   That the Equality Objectives form part of the relevant Head of Service, Service Action Plan targets.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 1621 to 1651 of the Book of Reports, which presented the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and the Equality Objectives for the period 2022 to 2026.

The Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager outlined the report and explained that as a Public Sector organisation, the Council has a public sector equality duty (PSED) in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.  She informed that the Equality Objectives should be refreshed at least every four years and that a new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy has been developed.  Once adopted, the Equality Objectives will then form part of the Service Action Plans for the relevant Head of Service to be monitored and delivered.  She informed that progress against the objectives will be presented quarterly to CMT and Cabinet.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·         Strengthening Older Persons Champion role/ emphasis and recognition of enabling access to services

·         Engaging and supporting young people

·         Council approach to Equality Impact Assessments

·         That the Strategy was an excellent document and a step change improvement from previous versions

RESOLVED: That the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for the Council, and the Equality Objectives 2022-2026 be considered and noted and that the report be presented to Cabinet for their consideration.