Agenda item

Equality and Diversity

To seek approval to the updated Equality and Diversity Policy for the Authority; and the Corporate Equality Objectives for the period April 2021 to March 2022.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to the Authority’s updated Equality and

Diversity Policy and Corporate Equality Objectives for the period April 2021 to March

2022.

The Authority’s Equality and Diversity Policy set out its commitment to achieving the main aim of the Equality Act 2010 and how it would seek to demonstrate due regard to these aims in the way the Authority exercised its functions.

The Policy had originally been agreed in 2017 and in line with good practice was reviewed every two years in consultation with internal and external groups and individuals. As a review of the Policy had been due, the opportunity had also been taken to review the Corporate Equality Objectives. These objectives enabled the Authority to identify and publish the priority issues (in terms of policy making, service delivery and employment) it needed to address in order to better achieve the aims of the Act.

 

The report set out the findings from the equality policy consultation and the review of the Authority’s Corporate Equality Objectives and actions.

The feedback received had been positive and informed the proposed amendments made to the Policy, or, to the new actions underpinning the Authority’s Corporate Equality Objectives. Many respondents had stated their approval of the Policy and emphasised the importance of ensuring it was put into practice. The respondents had recognised the need to demonstrate due regard to all protected characteristics and a desire to continuing developing a better community for all.  In light of the feedback received, Cabinet was asked to approve the amendments (highlighted in yellow) in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Authority’s current Corporate Equality Objectives had been agreed by Cabinet in January 2019, and as the Equality Objectives were reviewed every two years, it was timely to undertake that review alongside the review of the Policy.

The Authority’s current Equality Objectives, including key actions from 2019/20, progress to date in achieving those actions, together with a refreshed set of actions for 2021/22 were set out in the report alongside a new additional Equality Objective -  Improve engagement with North Tyneside’s diverse communities.

 

Robin Fry referred to various connections the voluntary sector had with diverse communities and offered to assist the Authority in its engagement activites.

 

Cabinet considered the following decision options:

 

The following decision options are available for consideration by Cabinet:

 

Option 1: To approve the proposed amendments to the Equality and Diversity Policy, and to the Corporate Equality Objectives and actions.

 

Option 2: To approve the proposed amendments to the Equality and Diversity Policy, but not to the Corporate Equality Objectives and actions.

 

Option 3: To approve the amendments to Corporate Equality Objectives and actions, but not to the Equality and Diversity Policy.

 

Option 4: Not to approve the amendments to the Equality and Diversity Policy or Corporate Equality Objectives and actions.

 

Option 5: To request changes to the Equality and Diversity Policy or Corporate Equality Objectives and actions, prior to further consideration by Cabinet.

 

Resolved that approval be given to (1) the Equality and Diversity Policy for the Authority; and (2) the Corporate Equality Objectives for the Authority for the period April 2021 to March 2022.

 

(Reasons for decision: The Authority’s approach to equality and diversity underpins all of its decision-making including key plans and policies.  Approval of the recommended option will ensure that the Authority has a current Equality and Diversity Policy that reflects both current legislation and the context within which the Authority is operating.

 

The proposed Corporate Equality Objectives and actions will enable implementation of the Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure compliance with the public sector equality duty.)

Supporting documents: