Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Officer (Corporate & Customer Resources, Scrutiny & Ethical Standards) attached.

Members received the Single Equality Policy prior to the report being considered by Council following the request that such matters be considered first by the Scrutiny Commission. It was explained that under the Equalities Act 2010 a local authority had a duty to publish its commitment to equalities. It was not essential to have a policy such as the one presented, but it had been felt that this was the most transparent way of providing the information and had been created in partnership with neighbouring authorities.

In response to a Member’s question it was noted that the equality duty applied to all local authorities including parish councils which meant that they had to publish their intent to meet the duties. It was agreed that parishes could use the document presented as a model.

A Member expressed concern about being unable to capture the true numbers of employees with a disability. It was reiterated that a ‘prefer not to say’ option had to be included, and it was agreed that this could be made clear in the policy.

Councillor Ward left the meeting at 8.37pm.

                        RESOLVED –

(i)         the report be noted;

(ii)        parish councils be made aware of the duty and offered a model policy.