Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services on progress made to date in respect of the Corporate Equality Policy Action Plan.

Noted progress made to date on the delivery of actions and targets set out in the Corporate Equality Action Plan and the findings from the equality impact assessments conducted in 2007/08. Approved the 2008/09 Action plan and the equality impact assessments.

Further to Minute No. 06/168 and by way of a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on progress made to date on the delivery of actions and targets set out in the Corporate Equality Action Plan.

Having considered the information contained in the report, an updated action plan for 2008/09, the findings from equality impact assessments conducted over the last 12 months and a revised assessment timetable for 2008/09, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the progress made with the Corporate Equality Policy Action Plan be noted;

  (b)  that the 2008/09 Action Plan set out in Appendix 2 to the report now submitted be approved;

  (c)  that the findings from the equality impact assessments conducted in 2007/08 summarised in Appendix 3 be noted; and

  (d)  that the revised timetable for equality impact assessments set out in Appendix 4 to the report now submitted be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services on progress made to date in respect of the Corporate Equality Policy Action Plan.

20 Minutes.

(Councillor A Hansard, Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, was in attendance for this Item).

With the aid of a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel were acquainted with progress made to date in respect of the Council’s Corporate Equality Policy Action Plan.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy reported on the achievements under the Plan that had been made by the Council over the previous year, which included the attainment of Level 2 of the Equality Standard. The Council would now work towards achieving Level 3 of the Standard.

The Panel were informed that a random sample survey carried out by an independent market research company had revealed that 84% of local people believed that the Council offered services that met their needs. Following a question by a Member, the Head of Policy and Strategic Services reported that for 2008/09 the target for this indicator was 85%.

A question was raised concerning the availability of bilingual staff and literature on Council services in other languages. In response, the Panel were advised that the Council maintained a directory of employees fluent in other languages and that an interpretation service, both face to face and via the telephone, was available if required. In terms of literature, Members noted that documents were made available in the four main languages spoken in the District. Whereupon, the Panel

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to:

(a)  note the progress made with the Corporate Equality Policy Action Plan;

(b)  endorse the new Corporate Equality Action Plan;

(c)  note the findings of the Equality Impact Assessment conducted during 2007/08; and

(d)  endorse the revised Equality Impact Assessment timetable set out in Appendix 4 to the report now submitted.