Issue - meetings

This report presents the final report from the Equalities Scrutiny Review, undertaken to help the authority to achieve excellence level for the Equality Framework for Local Government, and asks Cabinet to approve the recommendations arising from the review.

Resolved: That having considered the final report and annexes of the Equalities Scrutiny Review, Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out at paragraph 4 of the report.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Consideration was given to the final report and recommendations, set out below, from the Equalities Scrutiny Review. The review’s aim had been to encourage wider involvement in the Council’s democratic traditions by raising awareness across York’s Communities of Identity, particularly those with protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act.

Review Recommendations:

i.          Feedback from consultation to be taken into account as part of the ongoing work to update the Council’s website ^1.

ii.     New Councillor Induction to include ward demographics / profiles and information on the Joint Service Needs Assessment at ward level ^2.

iii.    Members training on corporate equalities and at ward level to be mandatory. ^3.

iv.    Member Training to be provided on Community Impact Assessments (CIAs) ^4.

v.     Consideration to be given to improving CYC communication, including better use of Community Hubs, use of other organisations communication tools, and University Community Groups ^5.

vi     Equality Advisory Group (EAG) to consider its membership to ensure it properly reflects all of York’s Communities of Identity and identify improvements in the way it engages with those Communities, recognising that the organisations currently involved do not represent all of the COIs in the city. ^6.

vii.   Facilities to be provided in the lobby area of West Offices to enable improved access to information for, and greater participation by members of the public. ^7.

As both Cllr Potter, as Chair of the Task Group appointed to carry out the review and Cllr Galvin, as Chair of the Corporate & Scrutiny Management Committee, the parent committee, had been unable to attend the meeting, the Cabinet Member presented the report. She expressed her support for the work of the Task Group and its important role in understanding the barriers to involvement. She also expressed her support for further Member training on equalities and community impact assessments.

Following further discussion, it was

Resolved: That having considered the final report and annexes of the Equalities Scrutiny Review, Cabinet approve the recommendations as set out above and at paragraph 4 of the report.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.