Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Well-being, Equalities and Partnerships presented the report of the Director: Communities, Customer and Commercial Services.

The previous report to Cabinet in December 2021 had proposed a four year inclusion strategy, a clear commitment and vision for diversity and inclusion in the Borough. The objectives in that strategy had all been supported by an action plan. However, the Council had wanted to ensure the community and employees had more involvement. To this end, independent facilitators had been engaged and carried out a range of engagement activities with a range of individuals and organisations, giving people and opportunity to get involved.

Following consultation, an updated strategy was created and this was contained within the appendices of the report.

Cabinet noted the importance of the strategy and of engaging with residents on the policy.

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group welcomed the report.

The Leader of the Council noted the link between the strategy and the previous report on health inequalities, noting that ‘hard to reach’ was something of a misnomer and that by deliberately taking consultations and services to people you could reach them.

RESOLVED – that Cabinet

a)         Notes the changes to Appendix A - the updated Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, and approve this as a final version.

b)        Notes the results of the community engagement exercise in Appendix C and approves the publication of this document alongside the Strategy once it has been finalised.

c)         Grants delegated authority to the Director: Communities, Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Well-Being, Equalities and Partnerships to take the necessary steps to implement the EDI Action Plan moving forward.