Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Corporate Manager, Capital Programme and Assets, introduced the report which presented the Council’s draft equality objectives and Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 for endorsement prior to formal consultation.

All devolved public authorities in Wales were required by the Equality Act 2010

(Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011 to publish equality objectives and a

Strategic Equality Plan every four years.

Engagement must take place with people with protected characteristics when

setting equality objectives and preparing and reviewing the Strategic Equality Plan.  The aim of the Strategic Equality Plan was to reduce inequalities and ensure the

delivery of positive outcomes for people with protected characteristics.

The Strategic Equality Plan for the period 2024-28 must be finalised and published by 1st April 2024.

The proposed equality objectives for 2024-28 were:

·         Improve health, well-being and social care outcomes, including outcomes for older people and disabled people

·         Reduce gaps in educational attainment between protected groups and implement strategies to improve well-being

·         Ensure equal pay within the workplace by having fair, open and transparent grading and salary strategies in place

·         Improve personal safety for all protected groups

·         Increase access to services and decision making for all protected groups

·         Improve living standards of people with different protected characteristics

·         Reduce the impact of poverty and embed the Socio-economic Duty within the organisation

Consultation would begin in January for a period of six weeks following which a report would be submitted to Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.

When considered at Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee it was noted that the email address within the document was incorrect.  That would be rectified prior to the consultation commencing.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the draft Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 be approved before wider consultation with stakeholders, members of the public, and employees; and

(b)       That the draft Strategic Equality Plan 2024-28 be presented to Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their consideration and review.