In September 2013, the Corporate and Scrutiny
Management Committee received a report which highlighted the
criteria for achieving Excellence for the Equality Framework for
Local Government (EFLG). It was subsequently agreed that there may
be a role for scrutiny in helping the authority to achieve the
excellence level for EFLG, focussing on raising the awareness of
the democratic process amongst York’s Communities of
Identity, and identifying any required equalities training for
Members.
The following remit was agreed:
Aim
To encourage wider involvement in the
Council’s democratic traditions i.e. elections, decision
making and community engagement, by raising awareness across
York’s Communities of Identity, and in particular those who
have protected characteristics under the Equality Act
2010.
Objectives:
i.
Examine national best practice by other Local
Authorities currently achieving excellence level in their
democratic traditions.
ii.
Identify optimum methods for raising awareness of
the democratic process amongst York’s Communities of
Identity.
iii.
Identify any barriers in York preventing the
involvement of York’s Communities of Identity, and identify
possible solutions.
iv.
Identify appropriate equalities training required for members
to help them better serve Communities of Identity within their
wards.
Please note
that the interim and final reports of this Task Group will be
considered by the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee as
the parent Committee which set up the review.