Issue - meetings

This report contains the proposed Council’s response to the Fairness Commission’s final report published in September 2012: A better York for everyone. The report proposes 10 Fairness Principles and makes 7 headline recommendations and commends more than 100 Ideas for Action to be assessed and actioned.

RESOLVED:                That Cabinet agrees to:

i)                The proposed response to each of the Headline Recommendations noting how they will contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan priorities.

ii)               Proposals for the ongoing ownership and monitoring of the Fairness Principles and Recommendations as described in paragraph 30 of the report.

iii)             Note that the financial implications of implementing the Living Wage and extending concessionary fares will be brought forward in the 2013/15 budget papers for decision.

REASON:  To ensure that the fairness principles and recommendations are implemented in line with the Council’s commitment to protect vulnerable people.

Consideration was given to the following three reports on the agenda submitted to Cabinet for approval:

·        Responding to the final report of the York Fairness Commission

·        Single Equality Scheme 2012-2016

·   CYC Financial Inclusion Policy and Action Plan

To fulfil the Council’s ambition of creating a fairer and more inclusive city these reports had been prepared with each making a different contribution to this ambition.

The first report contained the Council’s proposed response to the Fairness Commission’s final report, published on 27 September 2012 – A better York for everyone, attached at Annex A. With Annex B containing the proposed 10 Fairness Principles, headline recommendations and 100 Ideas for Action.

The Council had already made significant progress since publication of the interim report, details of which had been set out at paragraphs 11 to 23 of the report.

Details of the proposed responses to each of the Headline Recommendations – A to G, outlining how each aligned with the Council’s priorities and progress already made and that planned were set out in paragraphs 35 to 60.

Financial implications arising from these recommendations would be reflected in the forthcoming 2013/14 Capital and Revenue budget reports.

Members confirmed the need to address the issues of life expectancy and child and fuel poverty in all areas of the city.

RESOLVED:                That Cabinet agrees to:

i)                The proposed response to each of the Headline Recommendations noting how they will contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan priorities.

ii)               Proposals for the ongoing ownership and monitoring of the Fairness Principles and Recommendations as described in paragraph 30 of the report.

iii)             Note that the financial implications of implementing the Living Wage and extending concessionary fares will be brought forward in the 2013/15 budget papers for decision. ^1.

REASON:  To ensure that the fairness principles and recommendations are implemented in line with the Council’s commitment to protect vulnerable people.