Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Policy, Communications and Community Engagement.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 24 November 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The Policy Officer (M P-J) presented the report which sought approval of the Equality and Diversity Policy.

Members were advised that an Equality and Diversity Task and Finish Group had been set up with the key aims to help shape and form the new Equality and Diversity Policy. The next step would be to develop a detailed implementation plan. 

In response to Members’ questions, the Policy Officer stated that work would now be undertaken on the implementation plan and there would be an Annual report to update Members on the Council’s performance with regards to the policy. Whilst no response had been received from the Devon and Cornwall Police Equality Reference Group it was hoped that they and other consultation groups would feed into the implementation of the policy which would also be kept under regular review. 

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods stated that the Task and Finish Group had identified that future work included identifying a Senior Management Equality Champion.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 24 November 2016 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED to Council:-

(1)       the Equality and Diversity policy be adopted; and

(2)       that delegated authority be given Corporate Manager Legal Services and Human Resources in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Equality and Diversity, to make any further amendments to the policy, and the Constitution be amended accordingly.

To consider the report of Corporate Manager, Policy, Communications and Community Engagement.

The Policy Officer (M P-J) presented the report which sought approval of the Equality and Diversity policy.

Members were advised that an Equality and Diversity Task and Finish group had been set up with the key aims to help shape and form the new Equality and Diversity Policy; review and raise the profile of the Equality Impact Assessment in line with the new policy; and to look at what staff training was required and the best way of delivering that. The next step would be to develop a detailed implementation plan. 

Members thanked officers for their work on the policy.

In response to Member’s questions, the Policy Officer stated that the policy would be kept under regular review and that feedback from communities during implementation would be incorporated into the policy. The policy would apply to Contractors and training and awareness for existing contractors would be incorporated into the implementation plan.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee noted the report and requested Executive notes and Council note, and approves:-

(1)       the adoption of the Equality and Diversity policy; and

(2)       that delegated authority be given to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Equality and Diversity, and Corporate Manager Legal Services and Human Resources for making any further amendments to the policy, and the Constitution be amended accordingly.