Issue - meetings

Resources Portfolio

To consider report LDS/181 of the Head of Governance, People and Performance, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 5 September 2022.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)             approves the proposed EDI Statement 2022-2026 (appendix A of report LDS/181)

b)             approves the proposed EDI Action Plan 2022-2023 (appendix B of report LDS/181)

c)              approves the proposed Equality Impact Assessment template (EIA), (appendix C) together with the proposed guidance notes (appendix D of report LDS/181).

d)             delegates authority to the Head of Governance, People and Performance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to make minor amendments to the EDI Strategy, EDI Action Plan and EIA as further changes to legislation and statutory guidance are introduced and following an annual review of the action plan. (Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).

Reasons for the Recommendations

The new approach and documents will:

·       Refresh the Council’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) approach.  

·       Ensure better communication with regards to the Council’s EDI approach to employees, Councillors and to the local community.

·       Ensure that the Council is undertaking the steps necessary to comply with the Equality Act 2010.

·       Ensure that the Council factors in EDI when initiating new projects and when making important decisions.

The Cabinet Member for Resources presented report LDS/181 of the Head of Governance, People & Performance which sought approval of the Council’s refreshed and updated Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) approach, including a revised statement and action plan.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report as detailed in OSC/304 to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 5 September 2022, which included:

·       Comments that the report and appendices were interesting and thorough.

·       A wish to ensure detailed training is provided for councillors and officers to supplement the EDI documents.  Whilst it would be ideal to hire specialist external trainers, the additional cost of this was recognised.

·       Discussion of various inclusion matters such as assistance dogs, hearing loops, and suitable parking.

Councillors C Mullins and Jones spoke as part of the discussion on the report.  There was agreement that the updated approach demonstrated the Council’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.  It was considered essential to support the approach with training for councillors and officers on a range of EDI matters.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)      approves the proposed EDI Statement 2022-2026 (appendix A of report LDS/181)

b)      approves the proposed EDI Action Plan 2022-2023 (appendix B of report LDS/181)

c)       approves the proposed Equality Impact Assessment template (EIA), (appendix C) together with the proposed guidance notes (appendix D of report LDS/181).

d)      delegates authority to the Head of Governance, People and Performance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to make minor amendments to the EDI Strategy, EDI Action Plan and EIA as further changes to legislation and statutory guidance are introduced and following an annual review of the action plan. (Generic Delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).

Reasons for the Recommendations

The new approach and documents will:

·       Refresh the Council’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) approach.  

·       Ensure better communication with regards to the Council’s EDI approach to employees, Councillors and to the local community.

·       Ensure that the Council is undertaking the steps necessary to comply with the Equality Act 2010.

·       Ensure that the Council factors in EDI when initiating new projects and when making important decisions.

To consider report LDS/181 of the Head of Governance, People and Performance. 

The Commission considered report LDS/181 of the Head of Governance, People and Performance. The report sought approval for the refreshed and updated Council's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) approach, including a revised statement and action plan.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Resources and the Head of Governance, People and Performance, the following comments were made:

·       Clarification sought as to the training to be offered for Councillors. It was acknowledged the training programme for officers and Councillors was currently being devised. It was identified that the training would need to be tailored for the range of roles which employees fulfil e.g. some roles are more public facing or work with particular vulnerable groups. Similarly, a specific course will be designed for councillors. This will be a starting point to cover the legal duty, the protected characteristics and to build awareness around this complex and developing field. It was confirmed that training would look to help employees and councillors to understand and identify unconscious biases which might potentially influence behaviour and decision making. External trainers will be considered subject to cost and considering that there is a large staff complement to train.  

·       Confirmation was provided that no feedback had been received from UNISON.

·       Support for the work in Community Services with regards to the outreach work and identifying community champions.  It was hoped this would provide better services and reduce barriers to participation, increasing access to health and wellbeing. The key was having EDI in mind when embarking on new projects or significant decisions.

·       Concerns were expressed over equality and access when vehicles park on footpaths.  It was noted that this was an enforcement issue and that if it was within the Council’s powers, it could act. All concerns and incidents should be reported directly to the Head of Community Services.

·       Clarification sought as to whether assistance dogs would be permitted within not just the new Town Hall, but also the leased offices, as currently assistance dogs were allowed in the current building.  Whilst it was anticipated assistance dogs would be permitted in the Council’s area, further discussion would be required for the leased offices.  It was also confirmed induction loops were to be fitted in the new Town Hall.

RESOLVED

That the Commission noted the report and requested that the views expressed during the debate, were fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.