Agenda item

Neal Barton, Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager, introduced the Equality

and Diversity Report 2021. He reminded Members that following the adoption of the

Equality and Diversity Scheme by the Council in 2020, it was agreed that this Committee would receive an Annual Report on progress. This also demonstrates how the Council continues to meet the requirements of the Equalities Act.

He noted that the Council’s Equality and Diversity Work, as well as covering the 9 protected characteristics, looks at disadvantage by virtue of where people live, low income and skill level. It was also agreed within the scheme to cover work to support the Armed Forces Community and specifically the Armed Forces Community Covenant and Bronze Employer Recognition Scheme award. 

The Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager explained that the majority of work to support the protected groups had been focussed on the voluntary and community sector, as these groups continue to be heavily impacted by the pandemic.

He highlighted to the Committee the areas of progress, in particular, provision of the second stage of the £300k Covid Grants Fund Scheme; working with Citizens Advice to use the Community Champions Network to engage with local minority communities; providing a programme of Play Days on tour during school holidays at 9 locations across the District with free activities for local families; and the investment in the Council’s property assets working to provide facilities with improved accessibility such as  the new Council Chamber. Finally, he highlighted the work within the report on the Equality and Diversity of Council staff, including information on the gender pay gap.

The Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager acknowledged a Member request to look into progressing the Employer Recognition Scheme. He gave a brief update on the work to support the Armed Forces community, including revising the Equality and Impact Assessment template and agreed to follow up this work in a separate meeting with the relevant Member.

A Member asked for clarity on how the referrals to the workplace health service were achieved. Emma Sheridan, Business Unit Leader for Community Service, Policy and Performance explained that the Well Being Team had a dedicated officer to network and engage with local businesses on initiatives both virtually and in-person.

In response to a query, the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager confirmed ‘The Kiln’ project was run by the same organisations as ‘The Shed’ men’s mental health initiative. Members praised the success of ‘The Shed’ initiatives and the grants awarded.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services thanked officers for their hard work during such challenging times and was very supportive of ‘The Shed’ and promoting such initiatives and grant successes through Mid Sussex Matters, as suggested by another Member. 

The Chairman thanked officers for the wide-ranging report and was pleased with such a positive take up of Covid grants. She noted that no other Members wished to speak and took Members to the vote as set out in the recommendation, which was agreed with 11 in favour and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

  The Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Council’s approach to meeting its duties under the Equality Act, as evidenced by the Equality and Diversity Progress Report 2021 included at Appendix 1.