Your views on the Draft Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

1

09/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197234297

Clerk and RFO for Parish Council

2

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

parish clerk

3

09/08/2022 09:50 AM
ID: 197236101

Parish council clerk

4

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

Former SODC Chairman and Parish Councillor

5

15/08/2022 01:59 AM
ID: 197445832

Interested previous member / part time Casual Resident of Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire. Married local Girl in 1955 at the Long Wittenham Church. Contribute toward Earth Trust, Little Wittenham and eternally thankful to the People of Long Wittenham who opened their Heart’s and Homes to

6

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

Former town and county councillor and current concerned citizen

7

15/08/2022 13:42 PM
ID: 197581868

School Governor

8

15/08/2022 14:28 PM
ID: 197588125

Educator

9

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Voluntary customer representative group

10

15/09/2022 19:09 PM
ID: 199522064

two individuals

1

09/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197234297

Whitchurch-on-Thames Parish Council

2

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

Stoke Row Parish Council

3

09/08/2022 09:50 AM
ID: 197236101

Lewknor Parish Council

4

09/08/2022 15:20 PM
ID: 197262062

Chalgrove Parish Council

5

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

No

6

14/08/2022 14:38 PM
ID: 197540488

Binfield Heath

7

15/08/2022 13:42 PM
ID: 197581868

Barley Hill Primary School

8

16/08/2022 09:52 AM
ID: 197623372

NEPALESE COMMUNITY OXFORDSHIRE (NCO)

9

22/08/2022 12:38 PM
ID: 198062147

Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils

10

27/08/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 198373658

Wantage & District Mobility Group

11

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

Wheatley Parish Council

12

09/09/2022 12:21 PM
ID: 199118779

Beechcroft Developments Ltd

13

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Oxfordshire Transport & Access Group

14

13/09/2022 22:02 PM
ID: 199350649

Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council

15

23/09/2022 10:11 AM
ID: 199680976

Pyrton Parish Council

1

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

Web search for information on policies and planning applications

2

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

Teams meeting. I'm not sure why you are asking me this?

3

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

I contacted a local councillor

4

15/08/2022 12:19 PM
ID: 197578852

Don't know

5

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

Website and email

6

15/08/2022 12:40 PM
ID: 197580699

Too long ago to remember

7

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

And email

8

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Zoom or Meet meetings

9

09/09/2022 19:51 PM
ID: 199143763

via teams meeting online face to face meeting

10

13/09/2022 11:15 AM
ID: 199288392

Either website or app (not 100% sure)

1

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

I was trying to contact the leader of the council and my district councillor - trying to find out who they were and their email addresses required some googling. It's also not easy to understand the different roles/scope of OCC and South Oxon.

2

08/08/2022 20:57 PM
ID: 197218796

General phone number then had to ask for a department

3

09/08/2022 10:40 AM
ID: 197238367

It was impossible to contact the council Waste team to get Biffa to collect my food waste that had not been collected for three weeks. Biffa were claiming they could not find my address again. The are only six properties in the Lane. I contacted my district counsellor. Only then was it collected.

4

09/08/2022 11:26 AM
ID: 197242453

If you know what you are looking for and understand all the council speak access for some people is easier hence my response, down the middle, but for those, especially a growing elderly population, its a real challenge. Too much is couched in terms of government / council jargon and not around the user!

5

09/08/2022 15:04 PM
ID: 197259882

The understanding of my question was not grasped by person I spoke with.
Evidently, no one would be available for several days as they were on annual leave!

6

09/08/2022 15:17 PM
ID: 197261239

Try to have more people answering the phones - we're told that our call is important to you

7

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

The Council has taken a sharp dive in its ability to relate to all parts of local systems (g parish councils) as well as individuals. Commonly since Covid, contact is 'lost' fiollowing onward reference for telephonic communication (where - rasonably enough - the first means of contact by th 'outsider ' is using email address or numbers on-line through the SODC website.

8

12/08/2022 17:04 PM
ID: 197487570

No one gets back to you at all

9

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

I am a disabled person and without any warning whatsoever, on Saturday morning, I received yet another envelope with bold green coloured zig-zag writing on it which totally ruined the peace of my weekend and together with the contents of the envelope, totally aggravated my condition as a stroke survivor with serious aphasias and other associated mental and physical disabilities as well as my diabetes and prostate complications too. The letter boldly accused me of my son Matthew living with me presently and of him earning income which he donated to me. I have lived alone here at my current house for 13 years. Matthew is 20 years old right now and he has never lived with since he was 3 years old,

10

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

Too many queries from your staff.

11

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

Notable lack of cknowledgement of formal response. Only reason I knew the result was my local councillor told someone else wjo copied me in.

12

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

No one answering phone, just ringing out.

13

15/08/2022 14:21 PM
ID: 197588403

Could not get an answer regarding £150 payment on council tax kept being told that a different department was handling this

14

15/08/2022 15:07 PM
ID: 197591350

You get an answer to say some one will do something but you never get an answer to what caused the problem and what would be done about it to prevent it from occurring (Biffa).

15

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

I found it difficult to find a contract and the person responsible for the issue

16

15/08/2022 17:08 PM
ID: 197601404

Trouble with computers

17

15/08/2022 17:37 PM
ID: 197603854

No response

18

15/08/2022 21:21 PM
ID: 197613121

It was easy but the follow up needs to be there.

19

15/08/2022 23:38 PM
ID: 197616471

Basically the person that replied to my email didn't care or empathise

20

16/08/2022 07:31 AM
ID: 197620624

Because your response system is designed to reduce telephone contact with residents and after various A/B responses kept on forcing me back to the website that did not answer my question.

21

16/08/2022 08:24 AM
ID: 197622665

Difficult to find the number and times possible to call

22

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

Getting to the correct person to discuss an issue was difficult as everything went to an outsourced party whom were not customer centric and kept responding from a prepared script on the subject matter

23

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

The member of staff was pleasant and helpful but couldn't answer my query which was about getting advice on poor service from a local contractor who had serviced our boiler. I phoned the CAB who were able to give me advice on the best way to proceed.

24

16/08/2022 11:12 AM
ID: 197634486

No one in the office to answer my calls. Took 3 weeks to answer an urgent email, then I was passed to a Council Tax dept in the north east.

25

16/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197635405

i found it difficult because I felt I didn't ever get a meaningful response.

26

19/08/2022 18:33 PM
ID: 197940528

Pass the buck !

27

23/08/2022 10:32 AM
ID: 198117121

It was easy once I found the form, but I started by contacting Fix my Street about an overflowing rubbish bin and was referred to the Vale site. It took a long time to find the relevant place in the website. After that it was easy to report.

28

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

I find that councillors struggle to answer their emails, and by the time they have answered - you have found the information by other means. Some councillors do not answer ANY emails.

29

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

Either due to staff shortage or due to the inefficiency of the people employed at the council. I have been phoning and emailing admissions to find my child a school place for 3 months and still no update from the council admissions team.

30

09/09/2022 11:31 AM
ID: 199115099

Couldn't speak to anyone locally (Covid may have played a part in this). Sourced out to Scotland???

31

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Easy generally, however some staff did not respond or use their internal knowledge to reply or relay requests to colleagues

32

09/09/2022 13:47 PM
ID: 199123846

I had some irregularities on my library account which affected my ability to loan books and stated that I owed money when I didn't. It required a couple of attempts to resolve it as the staff weren't sure what had happened. Both people were nice but didn't really know how to help. Although the problem was eventually resolved it did take some time and was a bit frustrating.

33

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

I HAVE PERIFERAL NUROSCOPY SO MY HAND SHAKES UNDER ANY PRESSURE ,THE AWFUL WAY THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO GO VIA THE VALE WAS A DISASTER . THE FORM WAS COMLICATED BECAUSE WE ARE ON BENIFITS AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS AND YOU EXPECT US TO REMEMBER WHAT OUR ACCOUNT NUMBER WAS 15 YEARS AGO .THIS WAS DISCRIMINATRY AND AFTER TRYING BOTH OUR CURRENT ACCOUNTS WE WERE FORCED TO ACCEPT WE WERE NOT GOING TO GET THE £150 TOWARDS THE ELECTRICITY BILL. THIS WAS JUST A DEMONSTRATION OF THE COUNCILS INTRANSIGENCE. NOT VERY CLEVER WAY TO DENONSTRATE INCLUSION WHEN THIS ATTACK WAS ONLY AIMED AT THOSE ON BENIFITS.

34

12/09/2022 15:45 PM
ID: 199239589

The lines were not being answered and I had to leave a message but no one came back to me. The phone was permanently unanswered indicating that it never was.

35

15/09/2022 19:09 PM
ID: 199522064

Hard to identify who to contact

1

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

Have a web page explaining which council does what? It would be nice if our local councillors held surgeries or told us how to contact them.

2

08/08/2022 20:57 PM
ID: 197218796

Direct phone number

3

08/08/2022 22:38 PM
ID: 197222163

It was too slow.

4

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

Nothing, any councillor or member of South and Vale team has been very helpful, but this is helped because I have been involved in PC work for a number of years and you learn email addresses. Contact via telephone is a lot more difficult.

5

09/08/2022 09:50 AM
ID: 197236101

It's not always easy to get to speak to the person I need to speak too; and emails don't always get replied to very quickly

6

09/08/2022 10:40 AM
ID: 197238367

Assisted collection residents need to be able to contact the council when Biffa despite many phone calls fail to collect waste. Biffa are policing themselves. This is the job of the council.

7

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

A general comment: I have very poor hearing, so find video information and telephone discussion difficult. I have only rarely watched transcripts of SODC meeting, but appreciated the high quality text captions - they really made my understanding much easier

8

09/08/2022 11:26 AM
ID: 197242453

as above

9

09/08/2022 15:17 PM
ID: 197261239

have enough people answering the phones rather than being placed in an endless queue

10

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

Train/Advise receivers of calls - to give greater accuracy on 'who is dealing with...' different kinds of matters.

Have person to person forums in larger communitis to catch up with concerns on such issues as wqste collection, bin collection. housing. planning.

There is mor than a strong feeling that a portion of officers are 'rather happy to be beyond real contact - under the working at home circumstance. This may well be unfair - but is difficult to comment upon, even if sympathy is with officers generally

11

12/08/2022 17:04 PM
ID: 197487570

Actually care and respond

12

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

You could be human for a start ... and try treating disabled people with some respect. If SODC needs to continue to employ Capita contractors that you call your staff, SODC needs to insist on proper training and proper accurate wording of communications in a humane manner and a way that does not scare the living daylights out of people like myself

13

14/08/2022 22:48 PM
ID: 197553387

Nothing

14

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

Councillor contact details are not easy to find even if you do have internet access - unless you know where to look. The website is not easy to navigate unless you know what you are doing

15

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

Been more clear and asked for all details in first contact

16

15/08/2022 12:31 PM
ID: 197579809

I got no reply from one of the 2 councillors I emailed and a 3-week delay from the other. Very poor

17

15/08/2022 12:40 PM
ID: 197580128

Make information on your website easier to find.

18

15/08/2022 12:43 PM
ID: 197578986

In the past, paying Council Tax by standing order was not an option explained on the website. Accessing my own Council Tax information has proved less than straightforward.

19

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

Send some form of response.

20

15/08/2022 12:53 PM
ID: 197580877

email addresses: are usually hidden for the obvious reason & should be more prominent, or better still an email contact form with real email addresses & non of this 'do not reply to this email' @ the address shown. Remove the now normal WFH message

21

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

If there is a number that is a available to the public, it needs to be manned or an answering message facility so you can leave a message and someone call back.

22

15/08/2022 13:24 PM
ID: 197583413

Website not navigate, so phone easier

23

15/08/2022 13:44 PM
ID: 197584067

Nothing needed.

24

15/08/2022 13:58 PM
ID: 197584777

Very minor point: Could have said more explicitly that, if I didn't opt for a Council Tax rebate cheque immediately (as I had asked for single person discount when my ex-wife finally moved out), then the credit would be carried forward and applied to this years payments, which they be reduced, as they were. Hopefully, this was the most convenient way of doing it!!!

25

15/08/2022 14:06 PM
ID: 197585765

It took nearly four minutes of listening to options and pressing keys to get through to the person I needed to speak to.

26

15/08/2022 14:21 PM
ID: 197588403

Answered my questions

27

15/08/2022 14:41 PM
ID: 197590402

Respond to my email.

28

15/08/2022 14:46 PM
ID: 197590158

Nothing

29

15/08/2022 15:07 PM
ID: 197591350

Communication: what caused the problem and why, what they intend to do about it to prevent it from occurring again.
Tell the truth, it doesn’t hurt and will provide more respect and understanding of the problems you are having.

30

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

Have a central point of contact and you forward the question to the appropriate person

31

15/08/2022 17:37 PM
ID: 197603854

Responded

32

15/08/2022 17:54 PM
ID: 197604595

try stop people chatting shouting about 1am in morning with young kids under 10 years old my mum old she in 87 lives alone few elderly lives in road where my mum lives

33

15/08/2022 21:21 PM
ID: 197613121

Make sure that the council services are as good as the website

34

15/08/2022 22:19 PM
ID: 197614507

I had to phone regarding a query on behalf of my elderly mother. This was because the emails originally sent were not acknowledged. Phone to the council is great. Email is poor.

35

15/08/2022 23:38 PM
ID: 197616471

Acknowledge that there was a problem and that the council service was bad.

36

16/08/2022 07:31 AM
ID: 197620624

It is self-evident in the answer above. If you engineer your resident services to reduce costs, you will always upset people. The problem with algorithms is they often assume greater knowledge from the occasional visitor than they actually have.

37

16/08/2022 08:24 AM
ID: 197622665

Make a single phone number for all services which has a person that answers quickly and directs the call.

38

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

Understand what customer service means

39

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

I realise that you have a large number of queries and staff cant be expected to know everything but good signposting would make a difference. We are happy to use the internet and fairly well informed but it must be difficult for people who do not have internet access or good English, I mention this because I think it is particularly relevant at a time when there is so much fraud and targeting of vulnerable people.

40

16/08/2022 10:09 AM
ID: 197629023

website from (for reporting a missed bin collection) is very long winded.

41

16/08/2022 11:12 AM
ID: 197634486

Answered the phone, replied with 48 hours to an email.

42

16/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197635405

Responded to keep me up to date with the ongoing problem.

43

16/08/2022 16:35 PM
ID: 197661379

Better explanation on website on who to contact for fly tipping or emptying village bins etc.

44

16/08/2022 21:24 PM
ID: 197681086

Speed up the response

45

17/08/2022 12:08 PM
ID: 197709597

Answer the phone waited 56 mins to be told can not help

46

17/08/2022 16:34 PM
ID: 197730554

You could have taken note of it (it was a planning matter)

47

19/08/2022 18:33 PM
ID: 197940528

Know their job !

48

23/08/2022 10:32 AM
ID: 198117121

Think more about the reasons people will come to the site and how to make it easier to find what they need, rather than just categorising your services.

49

25/08/2022 11:40 AM
ID: 198262512

Nothing really. Got to speak to a real person reasonably quickly. She was very helpful too. (Ms Wilmshurst).

50

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

Better time management

51

30/08/2022 22:14 PM
ID: 198515432

No problem in contacting

52

31/08/2022 12:52 PM
ID: 198547952

I have to email because you can't get through to speak to anyone by phone - no-one answers their phones at the council anymore so if you don't have email I don't know how you can get a response.

53

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

You take our money directly but don't like to communicate directly with your community. We care asked to use your general emails and then wait (sometimes for days) for a response. Email is a blunt tool which can easily be misinterpreted. It would be better if those amongst us unable to use electronic means or who have a complex matter to discuss can do so via a phone or at a periodically held local clinic.

54

03/09/2022 10:23 AM
ID: 198730467

It is a recurring problem, with each instance an apology - though nothing seems to be done to resolve the issue

55

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

Reply more promptly

56

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

STOP prioritising diversity over efficiency! Staff must receive actual JOB training instead of fringe politics training. STOP building houses if we don’t have the council services to support it. Give back my council tax and income tax for services I don’t receive.

57

09/09/2022 11:31 AM
ID: 199115099

Locally dealt with would have been appropriate.

58

09/09/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 199119789

It was OK

59

09/09/2022 12:51 PM
ID: 199120363

The main problem is not knowing which council is responsible for what eg. Footpaths, overgrown vegetation, litter, swimming pools, etc etc. it is very hard to find information out as to whether it is OCC, the Vale or Town Council who does what

60

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

As suggested above. Take ownership of a request and divert it internally

61

09/09/2022 13:47 PM
ID: 199123846

Staff training on library systems

62

09/09/2022 15:08 PM
ID: 199128664

Deal with my concern and not pass me on to the sub contractot.
I pay my council tax the Vale not Bifa.

63

09/09/2022 17:29 PM
ID: 199139040

Nothingit was great!

64

09/09/2022 19:51 PM
ID: 199143763

no it went well

65

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

NOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO REMEMBER 15 YEAR OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS THAT WAS THE PROBLEM SO NOW WE ARE IN DEBT TO THE ELECTRIC COMPANY. NOT EVERYBODY IS MONEY LAUNDERING .

66

10/09/2022 22:11 PM
ID: 199173256

Try working from the office!
!
Try answering the telephone

Try using your own website to understand how frustrating it can be !

67

11/09/2022 09:11 AM
ID: 199178403

Answer the email

68

12/09/2022 15:45 PM
ID: 199239589

The phone should always be answered by a real person and put through to the person dealing with it notfobbed off

69

12/09/2022 19:53 PM
ID: 199249892

I had difficulty finding the correct email address. A directory on the website would help.

70

13/09/2022 11:15 AM
ID: 199288392

no additional comments

71

15/09/2022 19:09 PM
ID: 199522064

Clearer information on website (enquiry was about waste bins)

1

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

Really depends on what the information is. If it's urgent then text messages are fast but difficult to know if they're genuine. Letters on the other hand are trusted and authoritative but slow. So its not a one size fits all. Only thing I would say is that it's essential to cater for those people who are not online and don't have smart phones.

2

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

It depends on the type of information. Meeting agendas and minutes, by email. sometimes phone calls are best (for yes or no things). Sometimes social media is best, with links to what I need.

3

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

Depnds on issue...am I acting fully or partially to advise PC

4

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

But I don’t want my inbox swamped by irrelevant detail - always a difficult balance

5

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

or Phone call

6

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

It depends on the information being received. some matters that are simple such as why didn't our bins get collected can be dealt with by email. Other questions may require a document to be sent via email from the Council. whilst discussing a more complex issue would be best served by a conversation either on the phone or in person.

7

09/09/2022 19:51 PM
ID: 199143763

i answer this as email as i regulalry work with the council but i am also a local resident

1

08/08/2022 17:40 PM
ID: 197210106

Dealing with other priorities in these troubled times.

2

08/08/2022 19:59 PM
ID: 197216222

Use some common sense.

3

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

Please use the characteristic of sex rather than gender in your inclusion and diversity materials. Or have both, but they are different things and it is essential to understand this if you are to tackle sex discrimination and protect same sex relationships.
As regards the rest of the document it is difficult to have a view without understanding what the training etc will look like - it sounds good on paper but will it be like OCC and follow Stonewall's Diversity Champion's scheme which misrepresents the Equality Act?
Happy to see recognition of the need for accessible formats for information, and telling people how to find these - I think it needs to be more proactive than just using libraries and community noticeboards though - could you link up with other organisations that already reach these people?
Also great to see the commitment to Disability Confident employer status.
Strongly disagree with the calendar of awareness/celebration days - some of these eg Trans Day of Remembrance are political and divisive. Residents would prefer to see meaningful action than flags and social media posts.

4

09/08/2022 09:08 AM
ID: 197233169

Just treat everyone fairly and waste no more taxpayers money on this virtue signalling

5

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

The approach appears to be very data driven, which is useful but knowing your communities is also about talking to people, data can only tell you so much, one family on a limited income might be really struggling because they have built up debt, cannot cook etc, another might be managing to get by, but the data would show the same statistic.
Engage in face to face meetings with people as this builds real knowledge.

6

09/08/2022 09:50 AM
ID: 197236101

I feel while money is so very tight, all these reviews and assessments are wasting time and money - surely council personnel need to just get out and about and put current policies into practice

7

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

Involving our communities: what is proposed is fine, but the real challenge is to make people want to be aware/involved with what SODC is doing
Leadership: I gave this a low rating because the proposals risk becoming overburdened by procedures, whereas what we really need to for people to be informed and caring in their dealings with others.
Workforce: it is important to remember that we need capable and effective employees and teams for SODC to thrive. This should be achieved in an inclusive way - but inclusivity is not the primary aim.

8

09/08/2022 15:04 PM
ID: 197259882

Advanced knowledge of possible works that may inconvenience, so that alternatives can be planned

9

09/08/2022 17:08 PM
ID: 197269601

please bear in mind people who are not obviously excluded from services e.g. illiterate and disadvantage people who do not feel like members of society and opt out.

10

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

The EFLG mentions protected characteristics. I'd like this strategy to be sure to include training on this subject so that officers and members know what's legally required.

11

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

PLaces in 4 Towns and (say) 6 large 'villages' for meet the community sessions on weekends (probably Saturdays) Many who hard of hearing, partially sighted etc could benefit. Also young people who want enhanced facilities would be encouraged to feel part of a political communities.

Many Councillors (specially those who lost power in 2019 are virtual outsiders to SODC and know less than others.

12

12/08/2022 14:18 PM
ID: 197475500

You have not used the protected characteristic of 'sex'. Gender as you use it in the plan has no legal definition.

13

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

SODC needs to get real over having its own well educated, properly trained and accountable staff - it is quite disgraceful and unreal to have to deal with Capita outsiders who just do not have a clue about what they are doing and are totally bureaucratic and wrongly informed over what it is to deal with the people in the SODC area in a fair way.

14

12/08/2022 22:07 PM
ID: 197498294

You have not included sex - it is not the same thing as gender and the omission faults foul of the Equalities Act as well as your general obligations to ensure that women and girls are supported by the council and so that you can ensure their inclusion and any discrimination that occurs

15

14/08/2022 14:38 PM
ID: 197540488

There should be an action to ensure that funding is focussed on the majority and that any time and funding for minority groups is proportionate and not excessive.

16

15/08/2022 10:24 AM
ID: 197569460

It is not necessary to start your survey with a 3 language introduction. English will suffice.

17

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

You need to involve Individuals not just groups. Some people don't feel comfortable in group situations

18

15/08/2022 12:29 PM
ID: 197579609

Make sure you have plenty of staff, waiting times for help are too long.

19

15/08/2022 12:31 PM
ID: 197579809

Instead of spending thousands of pounds on public consultations and policies I would like to see that money spent on things that need doing. eg. clearing paths of vegetation. Improving cycle paths whre there are none. Improving basic services so much more important

20

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

Holding some sort of meeting with local communities.
Communicating what decisions you make to all
Improve notification of service changes
Contact local residents and listen to them regardless of class, race or colour.
In brief talk to your 'customers'

21

15/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197581563

Is there nothing more pressing to do with your resources!
How much is this nonsense costing. (Rhetorical)

22

15/08/2022 13:09 PM
ID: 197580509

I suggest addressing unity as well as diversity. The general tone of the strategy seems more to emphasise differences between people rather than the importance of supporting a community that looks beyond differences and embraces togetherness and mutual respect.

23

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

1. Focus groups with public so you can hear what people need/issues/frustrations as well as what works well.

2. An integrated map for the public which shows who does what services between public sector organisations e.g. nhs primary care (GPs, Primary Care Network, Dentist, pharmacy), local government, District Council Council, town council. There are so many organisations and partnerships, no one knows who to speak to without getting past from pillar to post.

3. Staff development- you cant always train your way out of policies so saying you will ensure always makes me uncomfortable. Tackling individuals attitudes and behaviours will be a challenge. You reference Unconscious Bias which is helpful, so I would like to see more about how this will actually be tackled.

4. I would prefer to see less written about new policies and more about empowerment for staff. Sometimes, using their innovative thinking and problem solving in teams when issues/challenges arise rather that stifled in policy.

24

15/08/2022 13:24 PM
ID: 197583413

I would like the council to ensure they don't spend all their time on diversity training, but spend their time and effort on the practical day to day work of the council

25

15/08/2022 13:41 PM
ID: 197585444

Don't want to download!

26

15/08/2022 13:44 PM
ID: 197584067

A method to involve members of society that do not use the internet. This survey excludes them.

27

15/08/2022 13:58 PM
ID: 197584777

Set up a complaints and comments Diversity web based system, similar to the H&S web system that most organisations already have. So that diversity issues and comments are dealt with the same way as H&S incidents, and near misses, and all logged and dealt with. The webpage will need to be published and advertised; complaints coming in by letter, email and telephone complaints and comments will need to be manually input by the recipients. Then, the council can regularly publish stats of numbers of diversity incidents received, number of incidents accepted, and number of resulting changes to procedures, systems and documentation resulting.

28

15/08/2022 14:12 PM
ID: 197587409

Improved communications for linking villages and city, eg safe off road walking and cycle routes and more reliable, punctual public transport options

29

15/08/2022 14:17 PM
ID: 197587172

Just treat everyone equally, no special training required, no special awareness just treat all your customers as you would wish to be treated yourself. You don’t need to know all about me, just respond politely, do what you say you will do and don’t waste the tax payers hard earned money on things which should be common sense to those of at least average intelligence. How a council looks after the vulnerable (disabled and aged) Sets the bar for how they treat everyone.

30

15/08/2022 14:28 PM
ID: 197588125

The reason I said I don't know because it is difficult to unpick a document that seems quite vague

31

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

Tear it up. It's a ridiculous waste of tax payers money especially as you claim to have no choice but to increase council tax

32

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197600388

Ensure that first and foremost, the leadership of the council is representative of the people in the community. Recruit and train more people from the community. This gives first hand experience, and helps to come up with future policies that are likely to be accepted and welcomed by all.

33

15/08/2022 18:01 PM
ID: 197604319

Do not waste the public money on projects like this, I think you will find that the majority of constituents would rather money spent on fixing the appalling roads and lack of policing.
By highlighting diversity I think you are causing more segregation.

34

15/08/2022 21:42 PM
ID: 197613265

Not added - removed. Training for councillors is patronising, irritating and achieves nothing apart from making a few people think they have 'done something'! This should be removed and instead, where there is evidence of discrimination or limiting access, this should be taken up with the relevant councillors.
Also, workplace champions is only one way to achieve things for selected groups. They only work for specific groups where it would not be straightforward to understand what the issue are for that group. This mainly includes those with specific needs / disabilities. It is patronising to assume that someone else in the organisation can be a 'champion' for most groups.
Also, you do not need a new suite of policies to promote diversity and inclusion - you want to avoid discrimination (which is already embedded in law) but to take the best person for a role irrespective of their background etc - tokenism or 'positive' discrimination are damaging in the medium and long term

35

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

If I have not fully understood then I apologise but whilst diversity is clearly important I feel the focus is mainly on diversity and other marginalised groups eg the elderly, those with disabilities, physical/learning are forgotten.

36

16/08/2022 09:52 AM
ID: 197623372

It is very pleasing to see that you are planning to Create Diversity and Social Campaign Calendars (DSCC) to display dates for a wide range of religious festivals, commemoration, and awareness days that we’ll publicly observe and promote that reflect our diverse communities and the priorities set out in our Corporate Plans. This is an excellent idea and as a Nepalese Community we celebrate various festivals from Nepalese Calendar, out of various, two of them are very important to us (Dashain and Tihar). We would love to see these dates in DSCC and would be even better if schools recognise these dates and allow affected children to take day off on these two dates. These dates are not always on the same date but we are more than happy to provide dates well in advance (one year in advance) to include in DSCC. We are contactable on; oxford.nepalese@gmail.com.

37

16/08/2022 20:42 PM
ID: 197679154

A much higher level of community participation through virtual access to council meetings

38

17/08/2022 16:34 PM
ID: 197730554

I would like to se the planning committee taking notice of the inhabitantsb of the area rather than housing developers

39

19/08/2022 08:01 AM
ID: 197891694

Adding sixth form students to the paperwork by name - school already know their students especially those who face educational challenges. They would benefit from specific inclusion and education into local politics. Plus how to contact representatives, etc. These students will usually be 18 in their final school year, and are legal adults and voters.

40

22/08/2022 12:38 PM
ID: 198062147

Town and parish councils are 'consulted' but that doesn't mean their responses are necessarily acknowledged, responded to or taken on board. The 'consultation' loop needs to be closed so that everyone knows what happened to their response, why was it ignored/not acted upon or did result in altered wording/policies or whatever

41

22/08/2022 16:53 PM
ID: 198086203

LGBT+ actions

42

23/08/2022 10:32 AM
ID: 198117121

I can't identify specific actions but this document is written in organisational language and could be much simplified to help people read and understand your proposals.

43

27/08/2022 10:41 AM
ID: 198370630

I want to know exact planned actions which are going to be taken along with timelines and then a report on if the objectives have been made. The current strategy doesn't specify any firm action points and quite frankly it is non-committal.
Furthermore, on the front page of this survey, why is the information only specified in English, one european and chinese language? Does Hindi, Urdu or Gujarati languages not matter?
None of the council literature include any other languages apart from English. This is not satisfactory.

44

27/08/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 198373658

Training for managers in dealing with people from other cultures and in being proactive in engaging their skills and enabling individuals to fit into the workplace and local communities.

45

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

No specific actions, but an acknowledgement that the more you label people, the more divisive we are as a society/community. Some people abhor labels and the thinking that because a person is autistic they need xxx causes more difficulties and works against what you are trying to achieve. My nephew is autistic - he hates being labelled because he is high functioning in some areas - being categorised has held him back.

46

30/08/2022 22:14 PM
ID: 198515432

More specific plans i.e. More appropriate housing for the disabled. There are few houses/flats with easy access and space to turn a wheelchair within rooms, or from room to room.
Restoration of clubs for the disabled and their carers such as Open Access which used to cater for these groups in Wantage. It was closed through lack of funds from the County Council although the members raised funds themselves.

47

31/08/2022 12:52 PM
ID: 198547952

No mention of any methods of communication - there are still a significant portion of the population who don't have access to the internet and need information to be provided through the mail or telephone. What materials are available to blind or partially sighted people?
Even this survey is available electronically so is excluding this portion of the residents of the area.

48

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

Come and talk to us or reopen your service point in Wantage (yes it does exist).

49

03/09/2022 10:23 AM
ID: 198730467

Under knowledge, some striving toward genuine empathy would be, in my view, better than simply an intellectual understanding. The challenges that minority communities often face are layered and emotional as well as practical/rational. There are also layers of historical habits and patterns that seem embedded into what may seem at the surface easy to resolve.

50

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

A commitment to train and develop line managers and dept heads to believe in and deliver on your strategy. A strategy on its own is a tick box exercise, the devil is in the detail in how you are going to make the strategy live and breath among your workforce. Just saying you are going to do it is not enough - there has to be streams of work to inspire and engage with the deliverers of your services.

51

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

Prioritise everyone - children’s needs were ignored during the pandemic, woman are losing their safe spaces, Christian’s and muslims are being forced to give up their beliefs.

52

09/09/2022 11:52 AM
ID: 199115251

Yes, I basically agree with your aims, but to me, for whole exercise seems to work on the idea that everyone are victims of some sort or other. I am in my seventies and have treated everyone in my life as equales. My approach is logical as far as I am concerned. If you treat people as if they have issues, or are victims in some way, then you are generating that attitude, which will finally be self defeating.

53

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Also use community group engagements to expand knowledge. Collaborate with groups other than volunteers. Use more than just surveys to engage peoples opinions.

54

09/09/2022 13:47 PM
ID: 199123846

Knowing/involving our communities - engagement with parish councils; local church and faith groups; local groups and organisations that consist of, support and work with people from underrepresented communities.

55

09/09/2022 15:08 PM
ID: 199128664

You could cut the cost of this rediculus diversity empire by simply say treat everyone the same and with respect.

Listen to your customers the tax payer and deal with their concerns.

Why do we need to print these things in do many differen languages. Spend the money on mandatory English classes for all immigrants. That is the best way to include them. My daughter in law and her family arrived in America as refugees. They were not granted American citizenship untill their English was a certain level. Children were not in the main stream school untill their English was acceptable. This is the way to inclusion. No one should be treated differently. With the exception of people with disabilities who should receive appropriate help. No special day for certain sections of the community.

These promote division not understanding.

56

09/09/2022 17:29 PM
ID: 199139040

An opinion poll on communities to evaluate impact and feelings of inclusion.

57

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

SOMEBODY NAMED TO ACCEPT THAT OUR DATA IS OURS AND NOT BELONGING TO THE COUNCIL .ALMOST EVERY PAGE IS A LIST OF MORE AND MORE OFFICERS AND OFFICES THAT WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO OUR PERSONAL DATA AND IF LIKE ME YOU DO NOT TRUST THE COUNCIL THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM . THEN IT LOOKS LIKE AN AWFUL LOT OF GROUPS AND QUANGOS .THERE IS NO MENTION HOW THESE WILL OPERATE IN THE REAL WORLD. IS THERE PROVISION FOR OPT OUTS AS FAR AS ACCESSING PERSONAL DATA OR ARE WE STUCK WITH THE USERAL GOOGLE TRACKING AND LOCATION COOKIES ECT.

58

11/09/2022 09:11 AM
ID: 199178403

getting a response when you need a serious matter dealt with

59

12/09/2022 10:51 AM
ID: 199214088

I would like to see a fair reflection of our community which you will address in the first action. The hiring and training policy must be reflected in this and the best people for the job hired and promoted - not a quota system or another method of recruiting as many diverse people as possible - SODC must reflect our society not other societies.

60

12/09/2022 15:05 PM
ID: 199237223

what is the policy I am being asked to comment on?

61

12/09/2022 15:45 PM
ID: 199239589

Stop messing about with things like this that don't concern the Council

62

13/09/2022 00:27 AM
ID: 199267287

Regular events to introduce and promote cultural diversities- e.g. talks, workshops, community groups etc.

63

13/09/2022 11:15 AM
ID: 199288392

An action to ensure that any changes that are made (for example to websites or apps) do not introduce *new* equality/inclusivity issues. (For example: if done poorly, introducing additional non-English languages on a website (which is in and of itself laudable) can introduce new usability problems for English-speaking users. Doing so may also introduce long-term maintenance and support costs which need to be taken into consideration; and might also suggest that other services (for example, phone contact) might be available in other languages, when in fact they are not).

64

13/09/2022 22:02 PM
ID: 199350649

You should not be wasting time and resources on Diversity and Inclusion. All British subjects should be held equal under the law and the concept of protected characteristics is flawed. It is unfair on those who do not qualify for such protection.

Resources at local Government level should be directed to the delivery of services that people require - highway maintenance / rubbish collection / proper planning regulation and enforcement. The resources you are wasting on such surveys must be stopped.

65

15/09/2022 12:44 PM
ID: 199491109

Listen
You can have all the right intentions and committees in the world, but if you don't LISTEN, it's all a waste of time

66

30/09/2022 17:32 PM
ID: 200493710

More detail needs to be added everywhere - currently it is very generic - specific groups need to be mentioned eg the disabled

1

08/08/2022 17:39 PM
ID: 197210073

Waste of time and money

2

08/08/2022 17:40 PM
ID: 197210106

Unnecessary

3

08/08/2022 19:59 PM
ID: 197216222

Ridiculous

4

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

I think it's really vague so very difficult to comment on. Please make sure that all the myriad ways we are different are considered and that you are clear on the importance of monitoring/capturing info on sex as part of your diversity commitment, otherwise there is no hope of addressing sexism or sex discrimination. Sex has an impact on all sorts of areas of council responsibility - eg there's an interesting project going on at the moment about designing playgrounds that include girls as well as boys. https://makespaceforgirls.co.uk/
In addition please don't leave behind those older people who are not digital natives.

5

08/08/2022 20:57 PM
ID: 197218796

Another waste of time and money

6

09/08/2022 08:36 AM
ID: 197231465

It seems ok.

7

09/08/2022 09:08 AM
ID: 197233169

A total waste of taxpayers money, particularly in difficult economic times

8

09/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197234297

It is a good plan to try to be inclusive for all in order to access these vital services and link to community.

9

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

Objectives or targets would be useful as progress could then be measured. Community engagement could be responses from 70% of those consulted, if it is not met then there is an objective to look at.

10

09/08/2022 10:40 AM
ID: 197238367

You must make sure it is put into practice.

11

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

I think it a worthy initiative, but risks taking up a lot of time and becoming burdensome.

12

09/08/2022 11:26 AM
ID: 197242453

A good starting point!

13

09/08/2022 13:26 PM
ID: 197253412

Fix potholes and other things before you worry about diversity and inclusion.

14

09/08/2022 15:15 PM
ID: 197261316

It's going to be very important as the cost of living crisis evolves that local residents feel comfortable contacting the Council for help or advice. Understanding diversity and inclusion is essential to giving everyone an equitable experience.

15

09/08/2022 15:17 PM
ID: 197261239

It is a complete vanity project. The Local Authorities exist to empty bins, mend roads, organise planning and run schools. This social justice warrior window dressing is a colossal waste of time and valuable resources. The District Councils should not be involving themselves in woke window dressing. No one, apart from a vanishingly small, but vociferous minority, cares. They do care about value for money.

16

09/08/2022 16:38 PM
ID: 197267711

Very dangerous

17

09/08/2022 17:08 PM
ID: 197269601

seems like a standard Diverstiy and Incllusion strategy

18

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

I do wonder at why this is necessary? Why did we decide to put the resources into this strategy? Does it go beyond what's legally required? In what way?

19

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

Worthwhile

20

10/08/2022 13:50 PM
ID: 197271754

Better use of complaints/customer feedback data to inform how communities are using the councils' services

21

12/08/2022 14:03 PM
ID: 197310257

Well intentioned - but action must follow words.

22

12/08/2022 14:18 PM
ID: 197475500

I think you should get out of Stonewall before you get sued.

23

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

It misses the message re disabled people and remains ignoring us

24

12/08/2022 22:07 PM
ID: 197498294

It is a reasonable attempt.

The calendar of inclusion could be cringy and hopefully will not highlight any particular minorities over others - should be proportionate and appropriate and doesn’t need to affirm any particular groups beliefs.

25

13/08/2022 14:30 PM
ID: 197515837

It is comprehensive, ambitious and relevant to the times we are living in.

26

14/08/2022 14:38 PM
ID: 197540488

It has huge potential to divert the council from its core business.

27

14/08/2022 22:48 PM
ID: 197553387

Rather wordy and overcomplicated. Not sure it is a good use of resources to make it so.

28

15/08/2022 01:59 AM
ID: 197445832

Provided the Committee Members / Responsible Persons apply the Diversity & Inclution Strategy as written, I see no reason to change any of it.

29

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

There could be more emphasis on older people who don’t do the internet or have smart phones. Information about changes to waste collections, for example, is only disseminated electronically so no use at all to my older neighbours unless I realised and go round and tell them.

30

15/08/2022 10:24 AM
ID: 197569460

It is not. Excess art to shove it down our throats. We are adult enough to be aware of our multicultural society. And those who do not or chose not will never be converted. A waste of tax payer money

31

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

Pretty rubbish

32

15/08/2022 12:29 PM
ID: 197579609

Hopefully helpful but probably costs a huge amount of money. Also will need to be continually updated to include all the extra inclusion groups that feel they have special needs.

33

15/08/2022 12:30 PM
ID: 197579927

good start

34

15/08/2022 12:36 PM
ID: 197579664

The Council is constantly complaining about under funding and imposing maximum tax increases on residents. When basic services are not being provided at all or to a minimal standard this additional expenditure cannot be justified. Post relating to E&D should be removed along with training and time taken from other roles to follow the policy. I strongly object to council tax being spent on E&D.

35

15/08/2022 12:40 PM
ID: 197580128

It is good that you have one! it is the implementation that will be important.

36

15/08/2022 12:43 PM
ID: 197578986

First of all, the overall aims are good. However, I'm dismayed that so much time and money must be spent on stating such obvious ways that elected councillors and public servants should represent and serve their communities. I'm highly sceptical of some of the methods selected to deliver on these aims. For example, does the diversity of a community have to be matched by those that work for it in order for the community to be served well? Is there such a thing as 'unconscious bias' in the first place (rather than, for instance, conscious bias that someone doesn't want to admit to)? Couldn't all of this be captured by the overall aim of providing polite, helpful, and efficient customer service? – Put the customer first in all decisions that are made by the council, and be aware of who those customers are, and bear in mind both the needs of majority groups as well as minorities. If the policies can help with this, all well and good.

37

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

To quote an old proverb "Fine words butter no parsnips."

38

15/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197581563

Highly likely to have no consequence at all on communities.
Just deal with the practicalities, rates bills, bin emptying, service provision.

39

15/08/2022 13:09 PM
ID: 197580509

Generally we'll thought out, as long as free speech and people with differing social ideas are not seen as threats and 'cancelled' or accused of 'hate crimes'.

40

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

It's good to see this is being addressed. Very helpful to review and hope suggestions I made are ideas for improving further?

41

15/08/2022 13:17 PM
ID: 197583364

Yes I agree it makes sense as long as it is practical and does not fall into the trap of excessive political correctness which can be an obstacle to the decision-making process

42

15/08/2022 13:20 PM
ID: 197583139

Looks good, the difficult part will be doing it

43

15/08/2022 13:24 PM
ID: 197583413

Not enough time being spent on the day job

44

15/08/2022 13:29 PM
ID: 197583393

Overall, measures of success are internally focussed and 'box ticking'.

There is a huge emphasis on training, but nothing on how training will be audited, or how the impact of training will be measured. The outcomes in 'responsive customer care' are simply that the staff will have attended training, not that this training will have a measurable impact on the quality of communication with different groups in our society, and as a result, the quality of their experience as a member of our community. Implemented training on equality and diversity should lead to reduced time to resolve difficulties, an increase in communication from certain groups, or a reduction in complaints. I can't suggest what metric might reflect this, but the current self serving metric is not going to increase standards.

Similarly, maintaining disability confident status is not an outcome in itself. Increasing access to the workplace for disabled people, and an increase in the # or % of people applying for, being interviewed for, and receiving offers is the measure that matters.

This is a theme throughout the document.

45

15/08/2022 13:38 PM
ID: 197585050

Anything that can mike life easier for people (example for people with disabilities) is a good thing, the easier it is for people to get the information they need and to communicate to the council when required saves not only time & frustration for the person but also saves time for the council.

46

15/08/2022 13:42 PM
ID: 197581868

This is an excellent document, offering all parties a great deal of hope for more equality,inclusion, diversity and hope for their futures in Oxfordshire.
This will require all members to embrace these strategies.
My one concern would be how will these be monitored and indeed enforced?

47

15/08/2022 13:43 PM
ID: 197584769

I see a massive effort from a dedicated team of people. Is this the best use of Councils resources?

48

15/08/2022 13:44 PM
ID: 197584067

If you treat all people exactly the same, as your customers, there would be no need for it together with a huge savings in council tax.

49

15/08/2022 13:56 PM
ID: 197584956

A box ticking exercise in political correctness and a waste of council money

50

15/08/2022 13:58 PM
ID: 197584777

Very good (as far as it goes)

51

15/08/2022 14:06 PM
ID: 197585765

It is very good but depends on the commitment of all staff and officers and time must be allowed for complying and monitoring.

52

15/08/2022 14:12 PM
ID: 197587409

It is important as big changes are needed

53

15/08/2022 14:17 PM
ID: 197587172

Waste of money, box ticking exercise when there are much more important issues to focus on such as housing and social care.

54

15/08/2022 14:21 PM
ID: 197588403

Ok

55

15/08/2022 14:28 PM
ID: 197588125

Woolly and vague, lacking in specific detail

56

15/08/2022 14:46 PM
ID: 197590158

None

57

15/08/2022 15:21 PM
ID: 197591854

I have never found much difficulty in accessing the Council. However, that is because I monitor planning applications for a local Civic Society and therefore am experienced and comfortable with using the VWHDC website, finding the information I want, submitting comments and, when necessary, dealing with officers and councillors. Therefore it is not straightforward for me to assess how difficult someone who was unfamiliar with dealing with the Council would find the procedures. Your proposals look like a good start to making access easier for all. However, it must not degenerate into a box-ticking exercise. Also, many people are not comfortable with 'dealing with a machine' and feel much happier speaking to a human who can react to their specific enquiry or problem.

58

15/08/2022 15:27 PM
ID: 197594017

As far as I know it’s ok

59

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

Stupid and a waste of time and money

60

15/08/2022 16:44 PM
ID: 197600233

its ok

61

15/08/2022 16:50 PM
ID: 197598960

A good start.

62

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197600388

It looks great for starters. Looking forward to seeing more diverse leadership.

63

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197601264

It's OK

64

15/08/2022 17:13 PM
ID: 197601342

I am supportive everything in the strategy, but am concerned about the timing. Some of these actions do have an associated cost. We have managed without a Diversity and Inclusion strategy for a long time. Given the current financial position I don't think it is appropriate for the council to be starting new initiatives that the council taxpayer is going to have to fund. I think there are more important priorities.

65

15/08/2022 17:37 PM
ID: 197603854

Unnecessary

66

15/08/2022 17:54 PM
ID: 197604595

not enough is done

67

15/08/2022 18:01 PM
ID: 197604319

Waste of money, causes more problems than you solve, you are listening to the loud minority who wish to change everything, and not for the best.

68

15/08/2022 20:21 PM
ID: 197610894

I think it could just be a job creation strtegy with little effect.

69

15/08/2022 21:42 PM
ID: 197613265

The name is just silly. It is not about diversity (which is an overly-woke construct from certain lobby groups); it is about ensuring all groups can access services with support where needed, and to avoid inadvertent discrimination. For example, your sexuality won't interfere with your ability to contact the council... It is much more about disabilities / those with different needs. I would suggest calling it something along the lines of an 'Equal access strategy' or 'Inclusive access strategy / policy'
And avoid re-inventing the wheel - discrimination and access are what this is about, so most staff do not need 'diversity' training which is annoying and patronising usually

70

15/08/2022 22:19 PM
ID: 197614507

It's good.

71

15/08/2022 23:38 PM
ID: 197616471

This should already be in place. If more time was spent actually providing a good service than writing about it that would help.

72

16/08/2022 07:31 AM
ID: 197620624

It is a well-crafted statement. "We aspire to" is an inauspicious start. Why not say "In our"? "Together" is ambiguous because "all our residents" is something outside your control. "Positive difference" is ambiguous, because the policy is an umbrella.

73

16/08/2022 08:13 AM
ID: 197622006

I am glad you recognise the need for such a strategy

74

16/08/2022 08:24 AM
ID: 197622665

The council should provide the most efficient service for the majority of its customers. This does not necessarily need to reflect the needs of every single minority group.

75

16/08/2022 08:38 AM
ID: 197623653

seems ok

76

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

It appears to address the key elements of D & I

77

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

As above

78

16/08/2022 09:52 AM
ID: 197623372

Very nicely done, but it needs to be implemented with very close connection to various groups, ideally bringing community leaders on board.

79

16/08/2022 10:09 AM
ID: 197629023

Somewhat surprised this has only just come about. Is is a 'woke' reaction? How will it all be funded - money should go on services first...

80

16/08/2022 10:52 AM
ID: 197611995

Very good

81

16/08/2022 11:12 AM
ID: 197634486

With Council funding supposedly so tight, why is everything translated into several languages and translators provided? Surely it’s the responsibility of non-speakers to provide their own. Sometimes inclusion means exclusion for others eg lack of social care provision due to allocation of funds for minorities.

82

16/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197635405

It looks well thought through and seesm to cover all areas.

83

16/08/2022 12:02 PM
ID: 197633575

At base level it covers most elements.
It would be good to offer some training / learning to local communities to help groups identified as needing additional support.

84

16/08/2022 16:35 PM
ID: 197661379

By ‘gender’ do you mean ‘sex’ which is a protected characteristic? Gender identity is not although obviously gender reassignment is.

I hope that any consultations as mentioned in section 1 will be carried out with a broad and representative section of the population.

I have my doubts about the effectiveness of unconscious bias training.

Diversity calendars sound ok but if every day is a special day it soon becomes meaningless and people don’t take much notice.

85

16/08/2022 20:42 PM
ID: 197679154

Big on generalisations but low on specifics, big on targets but low on actions

86

16/08/2022 21:24 PM
ID: 197681086

Fine but not sure what it will mean in practice

87

16/08/2022 23:49 PM
ID: 197684829

It seems pretty thorough, but is couched in officialese and not plain English. it will depend upon recruiting and training the right people - and will need funding at a time when there are so many other priorities. I hope it is positively realised.

88

17/08/2022 08:30 AM
ID: 197693696

A balanced programme.

89

17/08/2022 10:30 AM
ID: 197700342

It should provide an excellent opportunity to increase the number of local authority civil service posts and reduce unemployment in these areas. What actual, practical difference it will make to anything or anyone at all is impossible to predict. It is not clear where the additional funding necessary to operate this strategy will come from.

90

17/08/2022 16:34 PM
ID: 197730554

It is a little like 'motherhood and apple pie' Everybody is in favour, but what action/changes will take place?

91

19/08/2022 08:01 AM
ID: 197891694

Generally clear, but vocabulary content is not Easy Read - which i totally agree with being used. The length of the document, 8 pages, is longer than many people are prepared to read, so the later parts are less likely to be scrutinised. My example of vocabulary needing to be made clear, (Easy Read) and lack of clarity by the end of the document, is made clear by this quote - ‘Strategic HR to develop a range of training covering equality / diversity / inclusion (e.g. unconscious Bias / neuro diversity)’

92

19/08/2022 17:47 PM
ID: 197938517

To left wing and woke

93

19/08/2022 18:33 PM
ID: 197940528

Why are you doing this???

94

20/08/2022 16:37 PM
ID: 197731246

So broad and nice as to be meaningless! Do we really need this strategy and the cost involved?

95

21/08/2022 07:43 AM
ID: 198009550

It seems a very sensible approach to go in aiming to achieve a good level & build on this. Hopefully over time improvements will mean success in aiming towards the highest level as the strategy & workforce evolve.

96

21/08/2022 10:09 AM
ID: 198014644

I think that the council has other urgent and more pressing basic priorities.

97

22/08/2022 12:38 PM
ID: 198062147

Lack of continuity of officers, constant reorganisation mean it is difficult to find the correct person to speak to. Sometimes there are urgent situations where an email contact form on a website is just not good enough.

98

22/08/2022 16:53 PM
ID: 198086203

A positive move

99

22/08/2022 16:58 PM
ID: 198084521

It is a lot of unnecessary virtue-signalling claptrap.

100

23/08/2022 10:32 AM
ID: 198117121

It has its heart in the right place. It needs to be translated into actions from which the council and its staff learn, so that they can be innovative in their actions. Increasing the understanding of all staff of what diversity and inclusion means to the people who feel excluded is vital. They need to be able to put themselves in those people's shoes in everything they do. That includes writing policy documents.

101

23/08/2022 16:09 PM
ID: 198154812

Most of it should have been happening anyway. It is important not to overdo this sort of initiative. to the detriment of normal services.

102

25/08/2022 11:40 AM
ID: 198262512

A little bit 'airy-fairy' and there for the council to be seen to be politically correct but well meaning I support. (Is it needed)?!

103

27/08/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 198373658

I would like to think it already applies.

104

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

Its a good start, but respect to all is more powerful. Many people don't know the difference between positive discrimination and positive action and much offence and unfairness has been caused by attempting to do the right thing. Just having a strategy does not solve the problem. Good leadership is where it starts.

105

30/08/2022 13:43 PM
ID: 198479475

A commitment to using external trainers from the minority groups to deliver training to staff e.g. anti racism training from a member of the BAME community. Training must encourage staff to examine their own internal preconceived ideas and unconscious biases which may affect their decision making and interactions with customers.

106

30/08/2022 22:14 PM
ID: 198515432

The theory looks good i e training and awareness.

107

31/08/2022 12:52 PM
ID: 198547952

Not comprehensive but ticks the boxes.. Lip service

108

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

You are doing your best but lack the skills and ability to be truly inclusive.

109

01/09/2022 20:53 PM
ID: 198652739

I only skim read it but it looks solid.

110

03/09/2022 10:23 AM
ID: 198730467

It’s good.

111

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

Pretty standard to what other large organisations have.

112

06/09/2022 10:49 AM
ID: 198867351

It mirrors what every organisation and institution professes in our present culture. I suppose it is deemed necessary but I do wonder what practical difference it makes. Treating people with respect and consideration seems t me to be the heart of the matter..

113

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

It sounds like a lot of my wasted money. When the Uk are facing an energy crisis and cost of living I crisis why are you not focusing on policies and resources on recycling strategies, and free community events. Get the developers to actually provide facilities (NOT COSTA COFFEES) to the community. How can you allocate time and resources when you cannot deliver BASIC services such as schools and doctors!

114

09/09/2022 11:16 AM
ID: 199113836

A good framework

115

09/09/2022 11:52 AM
ID: 199115251

Fine, but the same as above.

116

09/09/2022 12:14 PM
ID: 199118147

Sounds like a great idea

117

09/09/2022 12:15 PM
ID: 199117915

It’s nonspecific and full of ‘motherhood and apple pie’. In reality local councils have little authority. The most important aspect of local government -planning and it’s implementation has become entirely random and ‘anything goes’ to the detriment of all of us who have been longterm members of the community. I feel let down, disenfranchised and somewhat apathetic after thirty unsuccesful years of attempted engagement

118

09/09/2022 12:18 PM
ID: 199117863

I hope it isn't just wasting money.

119

09/09/2022 12:28 PM
ID: 199119160

Very good.

120

09/09/2022 12:34 PM
ID: 199119552

A good document

121

09/09/2022 12:35 PM
ID: 199118894

Its a waste of time and tax payers money.

122

09/09/2022 12:51 PM
ID: 199120363

I think there is a huge amount of money being wasted. So many consultations, surveys, strategy documents, appointment of officers all talking and discussing things but very little action.
I would much prefer to see footpaths and cycle paths and roads looked after and safer for people to use than all this. People will then feel valued and see what the DC is doing to help the community

123

09/09/2022 12:56 PM
ID: 199120340

Comprehensive and unambiguous

124

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Useful but is it measurable?

125

09/09/2022 13:45 PM
ID: 199123549

A lot of words, and an awful lot of reliance on the 'Equality Officer' - surely you will need more than one!!
There is also a reliance on voluntary groups to participate - but they are not funded by the council so what is the incentive for them to do so?
The absence of any reference to disability awareness seems to me to be a glaring omission.
My feeling is that this document is a lot of words that, without realistic time scales added, is just that. Good intentions that maybe tick a few boxes is not going to achieve any real progress.

126

09/09/2022 13:47 PM
ID: 199123846

It's positive action that will be a stepping stone for ongoing improvements

127

09/09/2022 14:24 PM
ID: 199125176

It does sound similar to a ‘tick box’ programme for office staff , to satisfy some Government department blurb/directive which is to satisfy modern ‘inclusion’ programmes ….which in turn are to reduce opportunities for those minority groups who feel under-represented to hold protests and encourage press and TV coverage to an overwhelming degree !

128

09/09/2022 14:42 PM
ID: 199127684

Overall I think it is just common sense in making sure all aspects of society understand the elements of Council.

129

09/09/2022 15:08 PM
ID: 199128664

Needless waffle.

130

09/09/2022 15:38 PM
ID: 199132343

It's ok

131

09/09/2022 16:57 PM
ID: 199137535

I approve,

132

09/09/2022 17:29 PM
ID: 199139040

It's good and well intentioned

133

09/09/2022 17:53 PM
ID: 199139729

I worry about the cost to all local council tax payers in these difficult times

134

09/09/2022 19:51 PM
ID: 199143763

i have no idea how this woudl be measurable to work out whether it works or not

without a means of judging that, it is simply a bald statement

135

10/09/2022 09:09 AM
ID: 199153171

Very good

136

10/09/2022 12:00 PM
ID: 199157980

It is important and worthwhile.

137

10/09/2022 15:10 PM
ID: 199163557

Nonsense

138

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

ITS A VERY GOOD IDEA BUT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING IT ,IT NEEDS MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND NON COUNCIL WORKERS INCLUDED JUST TO MAKE IT SECURE OR NOBODY WILL WANT TO BE INCLUDED. HAVE YOU GIVEN THOUGHT ABOUT ANY STIGMA THAT WOULD ATTATCH ITSELF TO THOSE THAT ARE INCLUDED. WILL IT BE LIKE MY GRANDSON .HE WAS ON FREE SCHOOL MEALS BUT THE LOCAL SCHOOL (KING ALFREDS) MADE ALL THOSE STAND OUTSIDE THAT RECEIVED FREE MEALS SO HE HAD THAT STIGMA TO LIVE WITH ALL THROUGH SCHOOL, IN SUMMARY I THINK IT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK OR THE WAY IT IS SET UP WILL CAUSE UPSETS AND REVERSE ANY GOOD WORK DONE.

139

10/09/2022 22:11 PM
ID: 199173256

Waste of money.
If you adopt this strategy you can't complain of being starved of funds

140

11/09/2022 09:11 AM
ID: 199178403

sounds good

141

12/09/2022 09:26 AM
ID: 199207710

Good to have

142

12/09/2022 09:46 AM
ID: 199208991

Comprehensive

143

12/09/2022 10:51 AM
ID: 199214088

It seems sensible, but could easily be subverted.

144

12/09/2022 15:45 PM
ID: 199239589

Waffle

145

12/09/2022 19:53 PM
ID: 199249892

Although the aims are laudable, I think that there is a danger that too strong a focus on protected characteristics may distract from other causes of poor participation by particular groups, e.g. socioeconomic status. For instance, low engagement by a particular ethnic group may have little to do with ethnicity, but be primarily a result of deprivation.

146

13/09/2022 00:27 AM
ID: 199267287

I think the strategy takes a logical approach to promote diversity and inclusion.

147

13/09/2022 11:15 AM
ID: 199288392

With the proviso in (10) above, it’s fine.

148

13/09/2022 20:57 PM
ID: 199347170

Please be sure to level up rather than down - the law of unintended consequences is waiting to trip you up!

149

13/09/2022 22:02 PM
ID: 199350649

Waste of time and resources.

150

15/09/2022 12:44 PM
ID: 199491109

Principals are a good foundation, results will prove those principals worth.

151

15/09/2022 18:28 PM
ID: 199520001

Excellent! Obviously well researched and mapped out.

152

23/09/2022 10:11 AM
ID: 199680976

A sensible approach

153

30/09/2022 17:32 PM
ID: 200493710

At the moment it is not fit for purpose - this is a huge piece of work to do properly and 8 pages is totally inadequate.

154

04/10/2022 12:59 PM
ID: 200684545

Needed as the population in this area rises and includes many people from a wide range of ethicalities and religions.

1

08/08/2022 19:59 PM
ID: 197216222

Common sense

2

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

As above - clear language around sex as a characteristic. Plus in general clearer measures/outcomes.

3

09/08/2022 09:08 AM
ID: 197233169

Too complicated

4

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

I suggest that a simple code of conduct could encapsulate many of the objectives and once the necessary culture change is in place, could remove the need for more cumbersome procedure.
There is a warning though, from the 2022 SODC Code of Conduct - 14 pages is too long and is not going to be read and digested by many people. Most of it is encompassed in the Nolan principles which will fit on one page.

5

09/08/2022 15:17 PM
ID: 197261239

Its complete deletion

6

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

In the intro, there's no mention of sex, but there is mention of gender. Sex is a protected characteristic, and gender is not. I think it's important to understand the difference between these. Gender reassignment IS a protected characteristic. This strategy MUST get these things right. Also in the intro, 'protected characteristics' are referred to, but I don't see anywhere in the doc where these are listed.

7

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

See comments before

8

10/08/2022 13:50 PM
ID: 197271754

Better use of complaints/customer feedback data to inform how communities are using the councils' services

9

12/08/2022 14:18 PM
ID: 197475500

The protected characteristic of SEX

10

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

I have stated what I think about the poor education, training and accountability etc. of your Capita contractors who for sure seem to squabble in the main over ensuring that each one is given adequate working hours in a week. Communication with we disabled people is a disgrace as I say and I have personally been treated very badly for over 2 years of being badly disabled by the Housing Team - who have done zero for me as of this date, despite me being a priority person to be re-housed as my private landlord has died and I am forced to continue facing Court actions and living here despite my home being dilapidated and judged as a danger to my health and safety by Lowri Miller of SODC's environmental health team.

11

12/08/2022 22:07 PM
ID: 197498294

Including sex as a category as above. It is shocking that this has been minted - does the council not have access to legal advice on getting ur obligations as a council (and as employers)?

12

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

Emphasis on older, non-computer-user residents

13

15/08/2022 10:24 AM
ID: 197569460

.

14

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

More individual responses

15

15/08/2022 12:36 PM
ID: 197579664

Scrap this strategy.

16

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

Some form of commitment to actually acheiving your aims. I saw someone from planning posting a sign and pointed out the flaws in your logic. They could not escape fast enough. After all why should planning concern itself with putting infrastructure in at the same time as development? It might avoid current issues like lack of medical facilities, lack of roads, lack of schools etc etc.

17

15/08/2022 13:09 PM
ID: 197580509

See my response to question 10.

18

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

As per my other additional comments.

19

15/08/2022 13:29 PM
ID: 197583393

Measures of success are inadequate.

20

15/08/2022 13:43 PM
ID: 197584769

The needs of the majority being ignored because of the noise generated by the minority

21

15/08/2022 13:44 PM
ID: 197584067

The overall cost with staffing and operational costs.

22

15/08/2022 13:56 PM
ID: 197584956

Proportionality & common sense

23

15/08/2022 13:58 PM
ID: 197584777

Just the above

24

15/08/2022 14:12 PM
ID: 197587409

Not sure

25

15/08/2022 14:28 PM
ID: 197588125

Direct indicative actions

26

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

Common sense

27

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197600388

More diversity at the leadership level

28

15/08/2022 21:42 PM
ID: 197613265

A practical approach to these important issues, avoiding tokenism

29

16/08/2022 07:31 AM
ID: 197620624

Specific accountability to a person. Deadlines.

30

16/08/2022 08:24 AM
ID: 197622665

A clear differentiation between what is provided for council staff, and the services provided to the public.

31

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

As above

32

16/08/2022 10:09 AM
ID: 197629023

Action to encourage minorities to better integrtate - e.g. provide english language training to those that need it.

33

16/08/2022 20:42 PM
ID: 197679154

A much higher level of community participation through virtual access to council meetings

34

16/08/2022 21:24 PM
ID: 197681086

Mention of the large group of people who do not fall into a special category

35

17/08/2022 10:30 AM
ID: 197700342

Indication of how this strategy will be funded.

36

19/08/2022 08:01 AM
ID: 197891694

See my previous comments on schools and language content

37

19/08/2022 18:33 PM
ID: 197940528

Get the best person for the job !!!!

38

22/08/2022 12:38 PM
ID: 198062147

More and better contact with town and parish councils. Return the twice yearly district/parish liaison session, either in person or online, have all the main officers and party leaders there to answer questions; be open, transparent and responsive

39

27/08/2022 10:41 AM
ID: 198370630

What facilities are being offered for other religion worshipers? Are there any buildings which they can use or convert to observe their faith?
Are the businesses made aware of other religions and how they celebrate their special events? If so, what are the businesses doing to ensure that they too benefit from other cultural events and festivities, such as offering certain gift items. As an example, Tesco and Sainsbury's offer certain groceries during Ramadan (Muslims) and Diwali (Hindus).

40

27/08/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 198373658

We are experiencing higher numbers of immigrants and perhaps English Language and customs should be taught.

Offices should be accessible, with accessible toilets, lifts, etc.

41

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

Develop your leaders as a priority.

42

30/08/2022 22:14 PM
ID: 198515432

As I have described above.

43

31/08/2022 12:52 PM
ID: 198547952

No mention of any methods of communication - there are still a significant portion of the population who don't have access to the internet and need information to be provided through the mail or telephone. Even this survey is available electronically so is excluding this portion of the residents of the area.

44

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

1. Many people do not have e-communications and you fail to provide alternative means of joining in this type of consultation. Hold local meetings.
2. There are many ethnic and religious minorities in the vale with their own cultures and traditions. You tend to cater for the the white middle class Christian/atheist (reflecting the Councillor make-up I think). How about some diversity training for Councillors and staff so they can become more aware and inclusive.

45

03/09/2022 10:23 AM
ID: 198730467

It seems rather bland and predictable, but I suppose a good start-point

46

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

Detail on how you will deliver the strategy delivering organisational fairness and cohesion in our communities. How will you accommodate fairness through diversity and inclusion within the change from physical to digital delivery on many services.

47

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

Acknowledgment that your staff need efficiency and job training before diversity training. You have enough diversity champions in the community, the schools, the fire station! I could not believe my eyes when I saw the stonewall logo at the fire station. That means woman are not welcome!

48

09/09/2022 12:15 PM
ID: 199117915

As above -we need engagement and to be listened to. The strategy is just words

49

09/09/2022 12:51 PM
ID: 199120363

If it has to be done just draw up a very simple strategy that can actually be achieved. Such a lot of talk……

50

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Measurability

51

09/09/2022 13:45 PM
ID: 199123549

See above, the need to include disability awareness

52

09/09/2022 15:08 PM
ID: 199128664

Brevity.

53

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

YOU CAN NOT FORCE THIS UPON THE POPULATION AND ASSUME THAT YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH OUR DATA I DO NOT TRUST THIS COUNCIL AND THERE IS CASES OF MISPHESANCE BEING LOOKED INTO AT THE MOMENT INVOLVING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICERS .THIS MUST HAVE FULLY INDEPENDANT OVERSEEING FROM A BODY FAR REMOVED FROM THIS COUNCIL.

54

12/09/2022 10:51 AM
ID: 199214088

I would like to see some ground rules that prevent a WOKE agenda.

55

12/09/2022 15:45 PM
ID: 199239589

Common sense

56

13/09/2022 11:15 AM
ID: 199288392

See response to (10) above.

57

13/09/2022 22:02 PM
ID: 199350649

It should be stopped now and resources reallocated to front line services.

58

15/09/2022 12:44 PM
ID: 199491109

Advice for participants to listen

59

30/09/2022 17:32 PM
ID: 200493710

Detail and who will be doing these

1

08/08/2022 17:39 PM
ID: 197210073

They spend way to much money and time on it.

2

08/08/2022 17:40 PM
ID: 197210106

Worrying about it when it has better things to do

3

08/08/2022 19:59 PM
ID: 197216222

It becomes an overly onerous box ticking exercise (eg the ridiculous mandatory safeguarding training for ALL staff - including those without any interaction with the public).
Public perception that finite resources are disproportionately utilised. Public perceives that certain minorities receive preferential attention.

4

08/08/2022 20:10 PM
ID: 197215937

To prioritise one protected characteristic over another - they need to be balanced. To place importance on flying flags and delivering unconscious bias training when there is no evidence that these things promote community cohesion (in fact they can be divisive). https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210326-the-complicated-battle-over-unconscious-bias-training

5

08/08/2022 20:57 PM
ID: 197218796

All talk and no action

6

09/08/2022 08:36 AM
ID: 197231465

Assumes certain groups want to be included when they might not.

7

09/08/2022 09:08 AM
ID: 197233169

Spending time and money on it rather than just running the organisation efficiently and fairly

8

09/08/2022 09:40 AM
ID: 197235158

A succession of policies but sometimes a lack of work in effectively changing entrenched views that directly affect the effectiveness of the policy

9

09/08/2022 10:40 AM
ID: 197238367

Not effectively communicating with people. Inadequate emergency plans e.g. Covid

10

09/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197240107

Celebrating the minority and forgetting the majority.

11

09/08/2022 11:26 AM
ID: 197242453

The tendency is for government / councils etc to decide and tell people what they need and what is good for them, which encourages an institutional style culture, with users becoming more and more dependent on the provider and less and less satisficed with that provision, due to cut backs on funding and services. Councils need to give residents more ownership of their communities and as in this survey, get them to engage in more proactive activity and not leave it all to those in power!

12

09/08/2022 13:26 PM
ID: 197253412

Overhyping it.

13

09/08/2022 15:04 PM
ID: 197259882

appreciate the diversity of people being communicated with

14

09/08/2022 15:15 PM
ID: 197261316

Having a strategy and then doing nothing to implement it or to change behaviours.

15

09/08/2022 15:17 PM
ID: 197261239

Caring about it - it doesn't matter and no one cares

16

09/08/2022 16:38 PM
ID: 197267711

Following the guidelines which a becoming an absolute nonsense

17

09/08/2022 17:08 PM
ID: 197269601

Having preconceived ideas of who is suffering exclusion

18

10/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197313434

Confusion about the difference between sex and gender. It's big deal these days.

19

10/08/2022 13:21 PM
ID: 197314382

No

20

10/08/2022 13:50 PM
ID: 197271754

Taking a blanket one size fits all approach and often paying lip service to this key issue. A failure to truly listen to residents is often a common mistake.

21

11/08/2022 10:48 AM
ID: 197387694

Learning about people without asking those people for their input. 'Nothing about us without us."

22

12/08/2022 14:03 PM
ID: 197310257

a one-size-fits-all approach, i.e. not nuanced enough

23

12/08/2022 14:18 PM
ID: 197475500

Deferring to outside organisations like Stonewall who routinely misrepresent Equality Legislation

24

12/08/2022 17:04 PM
ID: 197487570

Only giving diversity and inclusion to certain groups. That you think you need to

25

12/08/2022 20:25 PM
ID: 197494570

You are far too detached from reality and you have no feeling of care or service for to clear needs of underprivileged disabled people like myself. There is a severe lack of accountability at SODC - Capita people are just ignorant with a serious lack of care or understanding of the same. They cannot even communicate in a fair and understanding way !!!

26

12/08/2022 22:07 PM
ID: 197498294

Promoting the interests of one group over others - racism, sexism and the elderly affect the majority of residents but their needs seem to get sidelined by other tiny, vociferous minorities

27

13/08/2022 14:30 PM
ID: 197515837

Paying lip service or ticking boxes while tolerating or turning a blind eye to poor practice.

28

14/08/2022 14:38 PM
ID: 197540488

Spending too much effort and resources on it.

29

14/08/2022 22:48 PM
ID: 197553387

Not keeping it simple

30

15/08/2022 01:59 AM
ID: 197445832

Individual opinion can sometimes overshadow the actual result of a decision.
There should be a check of actual, verbal, and written results communicated to the General Public from the original Council decision.
Individual interpretation can sometimes lead to the wrong message being passed on to the public.

31

15/08/2022 09:02 AM
ID: 197562942

Focus on LGBTQ+ and BAME issues (which have been completely neglected in the past) can, in practice, exclude other groups who are non-mainstream

32

15/08/2022 10:24 AM
ID: 197569460

.

33

15/08/2022 12:19 PM
ID: 197578852

Going overboard on diversity and inclusivity.

34

15/08/2022 12:24 PM
ID: 197579134

You think you know what people want before you ask them. Then you don't adapt to what they want afterwards

35

15/08/2022 12:29 PM
ID: 197579609

Trying to include every group that thinks they are special, so not to hurt their feelings. You won’t be able to please everyone. Danger of getting bogged down and tied up with red tape the more complicated it gets & more costly.

36

15/08/2022 12:30 PM
ID: 197579927

only reaching out to known groups rather than individuals.

37

15/08/2022 12:36 PM
ID: 197579664

E&D cannot be justified when basic services are not provided at all or to the minimum standard.

38

15/08/2022 12:40 PM
ID: 197580128

talking the talk without successful implementation

39

15/08/2022 12:43 PM
ID: 197578986

Implement an imposed way of thinking (which may have its own flaws and prejudices) rather than getting members of the organization to think more about some of these issues on their own, as applied to their everyday work and interactions with customers/those they serve.

40

15/08/2022 12:47 PM
ID: 197580688

Relying on words not deeds.

41

15/08/2022 12:53 PM
ID: 197580877

Too many outside organisation's involvement & therefore loosing site of the main objective

42

15/08/2022 13:03 PM
ID: 197581563

It tacitly promotes the concept of a lack of diversity and inclusivity.
Haven’t you got real issues to deal with? Utility costs, failing contractors and sensible community investment strategies?

43

15/08/2022 13:09 PM
ID: 197580509

Climbing on the bandwagon of virtue signalling. This does nothing to actually help people. However, any organisation that dares to say it doesn't have any issues is likely to be castigated so, business-wise, it pays to toe the line.

44

15/08/2022 13:16 PM
ID: 197581804

Managing effective change. Forgetting the human side (long held values/beliefs) and focusing just on training modules/adding policy thinking this will cure all.

45

15/08/2022 13:17 PM
ID: 197583364

Trying to please everyone and then pleasing no one. There must be a majority consensus, but don't let one minority vocal point of view derail the whole process if it does not add value to the strategy

46

15/08/2022 13:20 PM
ID: 197583139

Talking for us not with us

47

15/08/2022 13:24 PM
ID: 197583413

Spending too much time on it

48

15/08/2022 13:29 PM
ID: 197583393

Turning to training instead of addressing structural problems. Training can be a part of a solution, but is not an end in and of itself.

49

15/08/2022 13:38 PM
ID: 197585050

Virtue signalling. It's all very well saying "we're inclusive" but organisations have to actually do it - and test it, and review it, and engage with end users to make sure it's working. Boxes ticked do not equal inclusive access.

50

15/08/2022 13:42 PM
ID: 197584985

A lack of willness to change.
A fear of the unknown...wokeness!
Tunnel vision.
Knowing the current market.

51

15/08/2022 13:42 PM
ID: 197581868

To be able to ensure the policy is being actioned and to monitor all parties are compliant!
Where would any ‘whistle blowers’ go with their concerns?

52

15/08/2022 13:43 PM
ID: 197584769

See comments in 13) above. That they pander to the minority

53

15/08/2022 13:44 PM
ID: 197584067

By placing people in tick boxes which causes a non-inclusion of togetherness and equality.

54

15/08/2022 13:56 PM
ID: 197584956

Being afraid of not conforming to the lastest fad

55

15/08/2022 13:58 PM
ID: 197584777

Not collecting complaints (and comments) consistently, and being able to prove that they are driving change.

56

15/08/2022 14:06 PM
ID: 197585765

Pressure of day to day work overrides diversity and inclusion considerations.

57

15/08/2022 14:12 PM
ID: 197587409

Not asking those most affected what they think is needed and where applying this will be most effective

58

15/08/2022 14:17 PM
ID: 197587172

Box ticking exercise so they can add a ‘diversity aware’ slogan on their branding. Focus on providing the same high quality service to everyone. You don’t need my backstory just treat me with respect and common courtesy.

59

15/08/2022 14:28 PM
ID: 197588125

They want to tick boxes and do so without really understanding the impact it has on the end user. eg Network Rail/GWR have an inclusivity policy which requires disabled people to travel to either Oxford or Didcot Parkway if they want to cross platforms at Radley. This can add hours to a journey that should take a few minutes. What the policy should have been based around was not doing the minimum that the Equality Act states but real hard opportunity thta allows a level playing field not excluding anyone.

60

15/08/2022 14:46 PM
ID: 197590158

People getting upset on behalf of groups - rather than seeing if something is discriminatory.

61

15/08/2022 15:07 PM
ID: 197591350

Fobbing people off and not being totally open.
Should always get back and do it by phone not text or email that sort of communication is very impersonal and you can read it in the wrong tone. That would make matters much worse.

62

15/08/2022 15:21 PM
ID: 197591854

Making it too complicated.

63

15/08/2022 15:27 PM
ID: 197594017

Being too specific

64

15/08/2022 15:52 PM
ID: 197592845

The biggest mistake is employing some idiot for this job creation scheme

65

15/08/2022 16:44 PM
ID: 197600233

under estimating how many people it impacts on and underestimating the number of people who do not think it applies to them

66

15/08/2022 16:50 PM
ID: 197598960

Assuming "they" know best, and failing to consider the views of others sufficiently.

67

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197600388

Often, organisations focus on being seen as diverse so will put out lots of information about the tiniest thing they do which makes them seem diverse.

In actual fact, diversity shows from within. It's in seeing how people of different backgrounds thrive within the organisation itself. The organisation's policy should mirror their practice. We shouldn't be producing documents to show that we are diverse. A visitor should be able to tell that a company is diverse after spending some time with employees. Diversity should be worn into the culture of the organisation.

68

15/08/2022 16:59 PM
ID: 197601264

Over thinking

69

15/08/2022 17:13 PM
ID: 197601342

Treating diversity and inclusion as something special. Diversity and inclusion are no different to health and safety. The organizations that manage these things well manage them in exactly the same way that they manage every other aspect of their business. Diversity and inclusion are nothing other than good employment practice.

70

15/08/2022 17:37 PM
ID: 197603854

Not using common sense

71

15/08/2022 17:54 PM
ID: 197604595

not sure

72

15/08/2022 18:01 PM
ID: 197604319

Highlighting diversity and inclusion, most people accept diversity and inclusion without having it rammed down their throats.

73

15/08/2022 20:21 PM
ID: 197610894

Trying to do too much without working on the basics of producing services for all to use.

74

15/08/2022 21:42 PM
ID: 197613265

Adopting the same approach for every document or service - not everything needs an equality impact assessment, and if you make it tedious for staff by asking them to do it for everything (e.g. SOPs...) they will just get irritated and it becomes a box-ticking exercise. Take time to have a 'sense-check' at the outset to determine if there is a likely/possible impact on certain groups before undertaking the assessment.

75

15/08/2022 22:15 PM
ID: 197614807

Making assumptions about people based on their diversity characteristics

76

15/08/2022 22:19 PM
ID: 197614507

Over focus on a tiny minority group at the expense of another, larger group. Everyone matters and everyone counts.

77

16/08/2022 07:31 AM
ID: 197620624

Being vague.

78

16/08/2022 08:13 AM
ID: 197622006

Both overestimating and underestimating the “market”

79

16/08/2022 08:24 AM
ID: 197622665

Focus on minorities at the expense of the overall community.

Missing out on age challenges in the workforce.

Caught up with peoples wims

80

16/08/2022 09:24 AM
ID: 197626044

Ignoring the basics of providing a comprehensive service

81

16/08/2022 09:31 AM
ID: 197625671

Forgetting the majority of the population which is simply struggling to negotiate day to day life

82

16/08/2022 09:52 AM
ID: 197623372

Lack of interest or not playing an active role.

83

16/08/2022 10:09 AM
ID: 197629023

Gong 'over the top' and making everything unwieldy and expensive

84

16/08/2022 10:52 AM
ID: 197611995

Words not action.

85

16/08/2022 11:12 AM
ID: 197634486

Far too much emphasis on minority groups while majorities get ignored.

86

16/08/2022 11:14 AM
ID: 197635405

Trying to cover all areas with the same approach, rather than dealing on an individual basis.

87

16/08/2022 11:56 AM
ID: 197636745

Too generalised.

88

16/08/2022 12:02 PM
ID: 197633575

Think it's all just a case of training.
EDI is a topic which will forever grow and change. To attempt to get it remotely right an organisation needs to be agile in it's response to change. It's in the culture and will take years of imbedded behaviour.

89

16/08/2022 16:35 PM
ID: 197661379

Tick box training instead of actually grappling with the real life issues in diversity faced in the organisation. Training needs a safe place where people can discuss genuine questions and concerns and work through real issues, without fear for their jobs or being branded racist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic, islamaphobic etc.

90

16/08/2022 20:42 PM
ID: 197679154

Too much reliance on surveys and not enough direct participation using virtual access that was so successful during the pandemic

91

16/08/2022 21:24 PM
ID: 197681086

Loses focus on the majority

92

16/08/2022 23:49 PM
ID: 197684829

Sometimes people lack training, sometimes forethought, often basic compassion and common sense. High-flown phrases are meaningless unless people make them work.

93

17/08/2022 10:30 AM
ID: 197700342

Failing to make any great practical difference to anything or anyone.

94

17/08/2022 12:08 PM
ID: 197709597

Not having enough staff

95

17/08/2022 16:34 PM
ID: 197730554

Writing about it rather than implementing it

96

19/08/2022 08:01 AM
ID: 197891694

Vocabulary usually used to write inclusion documents - and this document is an example - instantly discriminates against those who have not had extensive education, plus those who are fluent in everyday English but who do not know the finer vocabulary needed to understand this type of document. For example, a first generation immigrant. Their children might understand, but would not necessarily know much of the vocabulary.

97

19/08/2022 17:47 PM
ID: 197938517

Going over the top too woke,PC etc

98

19/08/2022 18:33 PM
ID: 197940528

Getting in invovled in this rubbish in the first place !

99

20/08/2022 16:37 PM
ID: 197731246

Getting involved in the first place!

100

21/08/2022 07:43 AM
ID: 198009550

Too many people can often be pideon-holded by religion &/or colour of their skin. Very few have such set views as to be hestitant or resistant to interacting with the community at large - maybe ways are feasible to improve things for the few who don't mix freely.
There appear to be more mixed marriages or households than a couple of generations ago which is. hopefully, making society as a whole more inclusive & diverse. Making sterotyping of families etc less easy would generally be a benefit if the use of some terms not so 'favourably viewed' slipped out of use.

101

22/08/2022 12:38 PM
ID: 198062147

Hiding behind technology. Real people answering the phone, particularly for the older and hard of hearing would make life so much better, less frustrating and more human.

102

22/08/2022 16:53 PM
ID: 198086203

Assume everyone thinks it's a good idea

103

22/08/2022 16:58 PM
ID: 198084521

Taking the matter too seriously.

104

23/08/2022 10:32 AM
ID: 198117121

Doing the thinking in order to compile a strategy but not doing the ground work with the people they need to in order to make it happen.

105

25/08/2022 11:40 AM
ID: 198262512

Possibly looking for problems that don't exist in the first place. A recent council job advertised in the Abingdon Herald implied that they only wanted applicants from black & ethnic minorities / LGBTQ+. This creates a problem - doesn't eliminate it, and can cause resentment. Its what the far right just love!

106

27/08/2022 10:41 AM
ID: 198370630

No firm action plan with timelines and how this is going to be assessed. Doesn't bother to look at councils from other parts of the UK where the council have taken huge steps to accomodate diversity, perhaps due to high diverse population. The councils being referred to are Brent, Haringey, Bradford and others.

107

27/08/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 198373658

Being too fixed in job specifications.

108

30/08/2022 11:05 AM
ID: 198465749

Adhering to policy without thinking about the unintended consequences for others. i.e. hitting the target but missing the point. Policy is a group of peoples guidance to do a specific thing, which is a fantastic audit trail but not an indication of the culture of an organisation.

109

30/08/2022 13:43 PM
ID: 198479475

Tokenism, where policies appear great on the surface but fail to make a true impact or small changes happen which look good on the outside but are of limited help. A serious commitment to equality and diversity means engaging with the affected communities in a meaningful way, and a commitment from all staff to unlearning unconscious biases and preconceptions. It means taking lessons from members of oppressed groups and listening to them above all others.

110

30/08/2022 22:14 PM
ID: 198515432

Excluding those disabled folk who can speak for themselves.

111

31/08/2022 12:52 PM
ID: 198547952

Thinking that diversity and inclusion is foreign languages, disabled (including blind or deaf) people - many of the population may not fall into these categories but need to have action taken to ensure inclusion.

112

31/08/2022 14:49 PM
ID: 198557891

Organisations sometimes talk the talk, ticks the boxes, but then fail to grasp diversity and inclusion. You are no different to the County Council in that regard. I have worked for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Royal County of Berkshire Counties (the latter before abolition) Bucks and Berks both had diversity awareness training which covered sexual orientations, gender discrimination (including language used) religious traditions, food, cultural traditions, how the minorities saw officials and how to interact inoffensively. Oxfordshire did not and I guess you probably don't either from some of the language and activity VOWH DC undertakes.

113

01/09/2022 20:53 PM
ID: 198652739

Not resourcing it properly

114

03/09/2022 10:23 AM
ID: 198730467

Have a separate group that cares about diversity and inclusion, but it doesn’t permeate other areas.

115

06/09/2022 09:36 AM
ID: 198859442

Write an all singing all dancing strategy and then forget it, having ticked it off as 'done'.

116

06/09/2022 10:49 AM
ID: 198867351

See above: npt treating people with respect and consideration. And that within a culture which aims at effectiveness rasther than efficiency.

117

06/09/2022 18:35 PM
ID: 198907612

Tend to follow the advice of political lobbyists like stonewall. Who are anti-lesbian, anti-mother, anti-woman and anti-faith based culture. A diversity officer and champions and training is a distraction to people actually learning how to do their employed jobs properly.

118

09/09/2022 11:16 AM
ID: 199113836

Not consulting everybody for suggestions

119

09/09/2022 11:31 AM
ID: 199115099

Allowing approaches from any source.

120

09/09/2022 11:47 AM
ID: 199116388

Spending too much money on it

121

09/09/2022 11:52 AM
ID: 199115251

Taking what you are doing too seriously. Just treat everyone the same.
If you treat people are individuals that you appreciate, then they will respond positively. If you categories them, they will respond to that category, and that may be self defeating and be used to undermine what you are trying to achieve.

122

09/09/2022 12:06 PM
ID: 199117614

Perpetuating differences rather than encouraging convergence.

123

09/09/2022 12:14 PM
ID: 199118147

Over thinking it

124

09/09/2022 12:18 PM
ID: 199117863

They pay too much attention to special interest groups who do not speak for the "silent majority". That is how so many of our institutions become "woke".

125

09/09/2022 12:28 PM
ID: 199119160

Ensuring that diversity and inclusion reach all levels of the organisation.

126

09/09/2022 12:34 PM
ID: 199119552

Misunderstanding all people.

127

09/09/2022 12:35 PM
ID: 199118894

Insufficient research into all interested parties based on taking the majority views.

128

09/09/2022 12:39 PM
ID: 199119789

To go over the top and in doing so to actually be offensive and exclude citizens!!!

129

09/09/2022 12:51 PM
ID: 199120363

Talking about it too much and not doing anything. Too complicated, too many hot water

130

09/09/2022 12:56 PM
ID: 199120340

Failure to identify unrepresented minorities

131

09/09/2022 12:57 PM
ID: 199120283

Probably having staff working from home as informal opportunities for cross discipline conversations are missed

132

09/09/2022 13:45 PM
ID: 199123549

Although there is a need to acknowledge and understand people that fall within the LGBTQ category, this is a small minority group whereas there is a much larger group that fall within the 'disabled' category. Do not let the need to be seen to be fair to all then lead to a diminution of the need to be seen to be fair to this larger group.

133

09/09/2022 13:47 PM
ID: 199123846

Just starting the process and doing all the actions but not focusing on the enduring legacy of it. It has to become embedded in everyday practice so that it isn't something staff have to consider.

134

09/09/2022 14:24 PM
ID: 199125176

Lots of ‘waffle’ , far too much unnecessary wording without clarification ( no point in constantly using jargon which is only mainly understood by local government office-based staff ?!) and have I missed a section on accountability and a tight goal check for evaluating the efficacy of this project ? It seems almost as waffly as the ‘summaries’ of the individual Council members on the website ! Sorry …have I missed something ?

135

09/09/2022 14:42 PM
ID: 199127684

Not being open enough and sometimes treating people with the wrong label.

136

09/09/2022 15:08 PM
ID: 199128664

No need for it just tell your staff to treat everyone with respect and understand peoples needs.
Diversity is not an industry. Its respect and common sense.

137

09/09/2022 16:57 PM
ID: 199137535

The challenge is to emphasise inclusivity as opposed to diversity. To include those who don't agree with inclusivity of diversity.

138

09/09/2022 17:29 PM
ID: 199139040

Doesn't speak to the people it affects enough.

139

09/09/2022 17:53 PM
ID: 199139729

To many organisations giving the same information

140

09/09/2022 19:51 PM
ID: 199143763

thinking some hard to reach groups care that much for what the authority is doing

141

10/09/2022 12:00 PM
ID: 199157980

Making assumptions about the people's sensitivities.

142

10/09/2022 15:10 PM
ID: 199163557

Spending time and money on material like this.

143

10/09/2022 17:20 PM
ID: 199165987

IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL COUNCILS THEY ASSUME THAT BY GIVING POSITIONS TO A FEW TOKEN MINORITY MEMBERS THAT THEY HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE .SOME OF US FACE A MINORITY RELATED PROBLEM EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES AND THE COUNCIL IS NOT GOOD AT SEEING THIS AS WITH MY APPLICATION WITH THE ONLINE FORM IT JUST IS NOT SEEN BY COUNCILS .

EVERY COUNCIL NEEDS A PERSON THAT HAS A HANDLE ON EVERY MINORITY SO 8-10 PERSONS TO EACH AREA BECAUSE A WHEELCHAIR USER HAS VASTLY DIFERENT PROBLEMS TO ME WITH MY PANIC ATTACKS . NOT ONE PERSON CAN DO ALL OF IT AS THEY PROBABLY WILL NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM AS IT DOS,NT AFFECT THEM. SO NO SINGLE DIVERSITY OFFICER CAN SEE THE FULL RANGE OF PROBLEMS. ONE DIVERSITY OFFICER WOULD MOST LIKELY CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS LIKE COUNCIL INVOLVEMENT USALLY DOES .THIS IS NOT WELL THOUGHT THROUGH.

144

10/09/2022 19:25 PM
ID: 199170378

Overlooking the "ordinary person" ie the white british and too much emphasis on the ethnic minorities