Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the progress of the Council's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan.

The Cabinet Member: Inclusion, Engagement, Equalities and Civic Pride presented the report of the Director: Housing, Customer and Commercial Services.

The report provided an update on the progress made on the four year Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan and the Council’s Equality Objectives under the Public Sector Equality Duty, including proposed new actions that were identified as part of regular progress meetings.

Since its implementation in July 2022, the EDI Strategy and Action Plan has delivered a range of actions, demonstrating the positive steps that the organisation had taken to meet its equality objectives and the overall vision. Key achievements included the continuation of employee led groups, delivery of face to face EDI training sessions for Elected Members, the launch of an inclusive recruitment champion scheme and creating a communications dashboard taking into consideration images and languages used for Council adverts, recruitment and social media.

Whilst a lot had been achieved in the previous 12 months, there was still a lot to deliver longer term with the key actions set out in the report. The Council would shortly be launching phase two of its diversity calendar, delivering further EDI training as part of the internal Leadership Development Programme and launching a new volunteer scheme to help support Armed Forces veterans and their families. Awareness raising events would also be taking place for Black History Month in October, Disability History Month in November and Holocaust Memorial Day in January. Progress on these actions would continue to be monitored throughout the year.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and the work and dedication to celebrate diversity across the Borough and throughout the organisation. It was noted that employee led groups had continued to grow and provide support to staff. The EDI strategy cut across all services and departments and there was a very positive culture in relation to inclusiveness.

The Leader of the Conservative Group provided comments about unconscious bias and suggested that some of the language used within the report could be reviewed.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and acknowledged the need for continued EDI training to be able to support residents.

The Leader recognised the ongoing work of the Council and its continual commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion which was demonstrated when measures were put in place following the events across the country earlier in the year which required officers to work with community groups across the Borough.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the progress the Council has made over the last year with regards to its 4-year Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan be noted; and

b)   the publication of an updated action plan with suggested new EDI actions as set out in section 5 of the report be agreed.