Issue - meetings

Report No:   CAB/SE/15/009

Cabinet Member: Sara Mildmay-White       Lead Officer: Davina Howes

RESOLVED:

That the West Suffolk Equality Scheme 2015-2020 at Appendix 1 to Report No: CAB/SE/15/009 and the Equality Guidance and Forms at Appendix 2, be approved.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/15/009 (previously circulated) which sought approval for the West Suffolk Equality Scheme 2015-2020.

Councillor Mrs Mildmay-White, Portfolio Holder with the responsibility for equality and diversity, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet. She explained that both St Edmundsbury Borough and Forest Heath District Councils’ existing schemes were due to be updated and the opportunity had been taken to develop one single scheme for West Suffolk.  This scheme, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, had been produced having regard to The Equalities Act 2010, the Public Sector Equalities Duty and the guidance provided by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. It set out how the Council would manage and monitor equality, as an employer, as a service provider and in its role as local authority.

Appendix 2 provided a template and guidance which set out a two stage approach. The first stage involved completing an equality screening assessment.  The second stage of a full Equality Impact Assessment was a natural progression from the screening stage if there remained significant uncertainties about the levels of impact on one or more of the identified diversity groups.

A discussion was held on appropriate training for staff and Members on equality and diversity issues.  The Cabinet was informed that together with an e-learning package which was available for staff and councillors to complete, new and re-elected Members would be encouraged to attend a Member Development Session on this issue, as part of the forthcoming post-election induction programme.  

RESOLVED:

That the West Suffolk Equality Scheme 2015-2020 at Appendix 1 to Report No: CAB/SE/15/009 and the Equality Guidance and Forms at Appendix 2, be approved.