Issue - meetings

To receive and consider report 118/07 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer. 

Introduction and Report Summary

The Council is committed to the principle of equal opportunities and aims to deliver accessible services and employment opportunities which meet the needs of all residents and employees.

To help it achieve this, it has just put together a list of key things that it will do over the next three years to make its services more accessible for residents and its employees.

These areas for action are set out in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008/09 – 2010/11. In accordance with legislation, the Scheme pays particular attention to the needs of disabled people, people from ethnic minorities[1] and women as they may find it more difficult to access local services.

The areas for action have been identified via internal and external consultation and the analysis of Council performance data. They also take into account our relevant statutory duties.

This report summarises the purpose, structure, development and future management of the Equality and Diversity Scheme. It also makes a recommendation for its adoption by the Council’s Executive.

The contact officers for this report are Katharine Doherty (Equalities Officer, 01235 520202) and Tim Sadler (Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer, 01235 520202).

Recommendations

That the Executive adopts the Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008/09 – 2010/11. 

(Time: 4.02pm to 4.07pm)

The Executive received and considered report 118/07 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer which proposed an equality and diversity scheme for 2008/09 to 2010/11.  The Council was committed to the principle of equal opportunities and aimed to deliver accessible services and employment opportunities which met the needs of all residents and employees.  To help it achieve this, a list of key tasks had been compiled for the next three years to make services more accessible for residents and its employees.  These areas for action were set out in a draft Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008/09 – 2010/11.  In accordance with legislation, the scheme paid particular attention to the needs of disabled people, people from ethnic minorities, and women as they might find it more difficult to access local services. 

The areas for action had been identified via internal and external consultation and the analysis of Council performance data.  They also took into account relevant statutory duties.  The report summarised the purpose, structure, development and future management of the Equality and Diversity Scheme and recommended its adoption. 

It was noted that training on equality and diversity had been organised for all Members on 23 January 2008. 

RESOLVED

that the Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008/09 – 2010/11 be adopted.