Decision details

Following a review of the existing equality scheme, which was adopted in 2015, the Portfolio Holder for Families and Communities will be asked to approve the adoption of an updated equality scheme and commits to reviewing and updating the scheme, as required, to reflect any legislative or societal changes.

Resolved:

That an updated equality scheme (Appendix C to Report number: CAB/WS/21/001) be adopted, and the Portfolio Holder for Families and Communities be committed to reviewing and updating the scheme, as required, to reflect any legislative or societal changes.

It is good practice to review the Council’s compliance periodically as legislation, guidance and case law have changed since the equality scheme was written in 2015, in particular around gender pay gap reporting.

A health check carried out by officers confirmed that the Council is complying with its duties under equalities legislation, and that few changes were needed to the equality scheme. It also identified a small number of technical changes that were needed to ensure the scheme remained current.

The Portfolio Holder for Families and Communities has considered the updated scheme, is satisfied with the changes proposed, and has made the decision to adopt the updated scheme whilst committing to making future amendments to reflect legislative and societal changes, as required.

An alternative option considered and rejected was to continue the use of the current equality scheme dated for 2015 to 2020. This was not agreed as the previous approval only covered the period to 2020, and there are updates to legislation and information referred to, such as objectives of the West Suffolk Strategic Framework (2020 to 2024).