Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Group held on Wednesday 2 December 2009.  An “easy read” version of these minutes is also attached.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting of 2 December 2009 be presented at the next meeting.

In accordance with the Group’s request that their recommendations were

tracked to ensure that they were being actioned, an update was given on matters arising from the previous minutes:

(i)                 Display Boards

Discussion took place regarding the possibility of using the SIWG display boards during International Women’s Week.  Possible venues put forward included Energise or the foyer at York St John University.¹

(ii)               Hate Incidents

The Group’s recommendations that the Hate Incident Reporting Strategy be reviewed as a matter of urgency and that the council work with partner organisations to ensure that a Community Cohesion Strategy was put in place as soon as possible, had been considered by the Executive at their meeting on 19 January 2010.  The Director of Neighbourhood Services informed SIWG that she had been asked by the Chief Executive to put together an action plan to move these issues forward. The action plan would be presented to SIWG for consideration.²

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Group’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Wednesday 27 January 2010 at 5.00 pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This hour-long workshop will consider issues arising from the Equality Impact Assessment of the Council draft revenue budget for 2010-11 and help officers complete the relevant Equality Impact Assessment.

Officers gave a presentation on the Council Revenue Budget.   They explained how the council received its revenue and the main areas of expenditure.  Details were also given of additional expenditure that would be needed over the next three years and of the ways in which the council consulted with the community regarding the budget.

Officers outlined how the budget EIA process worked and noted that it was developing. They explained that they had examined the revenue savings proposals taken forward to Executive Member Decision Sessions and had identified those that they thought were likely to have a negative impact on people from the equality strands. They then invited members of SIWG to look at these proposals and consider their impact on people and groups from the equality strands.

Officers summarised each of the service areas concerned, focusing on what they currently do, who their clients are and what could happen if these services were changed as a result of suggested efficiencies.   After each summary the Group was asked:

1.                What are the effects on the equality strands if this action is taken?

2.                What do you see as possible solutions to deal with any negative effects?

The group then worked in small groups, recording their comments on post-it notes. Comments from the post-it notes are summarised below.           

Reducing the Mediation Service for private tenants

What are the effects on the equality strands, if this action is taken?

·        Will place increased demands on neighbourhood policing and environmental services.

·        Could lead to increased criminal damage, due to unresolved neighbour disputes.

·        Could have implications for students, as they occupy mainly privately rented properties.

·        LGBT people who are subject to harassment, would lose support from this service

·        What happens if the issue is with a council tenant and a private tenant – can the service still help?

·        Impacts on community cohesion

What do you see as possible solutions to deal with any negative effects?

·        Raise awareness of the issue – particularly [amongst] trans and gay men

·        Regarding disputes involving students in private accommodation, explore partnership with York St John

·        Put the service out to the voluntary sector

·        Explore Housing Association links

·        Could the police and environment officers help?

·        Can voluntary organisations help e.g. a service level agreement with YREN?

Reducing the availability of respite care

What are the effects on the equality strands, if this action is taken?

·        Will put more pressure on the voluntary sector, which is also being squeezed, possibly leaving vulnerable people unsupported (see next point)

·        Less respite care (especially as it is means tested), may impact on vulnerable people by having a negative impact on the mental health of their carers - as they in turn will have access to less time away from their charges.

·        It will impact on all carers, as they will have less time away from their charges. The ability of the carer to care will diminish and therefore vulnerable people that need the care are likely to suffer.

·        Means testing – this will affect civil  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.