Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the report and explained that the Council published its equality objectives and four year Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) in April 2020, to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duties (PSED) as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The aim of the equality objectives was to address the most significant issues and areas of inequality that faced people with protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation).

The Equality Act 2010 specific duties for Wales required an annual report be published by 31^st March each year outlining progress on meeting the PSED and achieving the equality objectives.  The report highlighted the Council’s progress in implementing the SEP and meeting equality objectives during 2020/2021.

            The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that this was the first annual report which specifically outlined progress towards fulfilling each of the Council’s equality objectives and included specified employment information, including information on training and pay.  The Policy Development Officer – Equalities explained that the the progress made to meet each of the seven equality objectives was outlined in the appendix to the report.  In addition, areas of achievement in meeting the equality duties during 2020/21 were outlined in the covering report.  

            In response to a question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Officer (Governance) explained that the Council worked by aiming to encourage employees to provide information such as gender, but it had to be recognised that people had different levels of comfort in relation to providing such information. 

            Councillor Johnson welcomed the report, in particular the section in relation to procurement detailed in the appendix.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress made during the year to meet statutory duties in relation to equalities be noted; and

(b)       That the progress made against the Strategic Equality Plan 2020/2021, prior to publication of the annual report on the Council’s website, be endorsed.