Issue - meetings

This report provides a suggested approach to equalities for the new authority, including the legal ‘must have’ of an Equality Policy by vesting day, as well as some additional considerations for a later date.

RESOLVED: 

The Shadow Executive is asked to:

· Agree the draft Equality Policy (Appendix 1)

· Agree to continue using the Equality Impact Assessment template and guidance developed for the shadow authority (rebranded versions provided in Appendices 2 & · Note the requirement to publish workforce monitoring and gender pay gap data annually

· Note the approach to memberships and accreditations.

Martin Tett stated that the Equalities Policy reflected the importance the Council attached to ensuring the organisation was open to people from all backgrounds and faiths and that there was maximum equality of opportunity available.   The Council was proposing to continue its membership of a number of associations/organisations to understand new developments and opportunities in this area.  Roger Goodes added that the policy reflected the approach developed during the Unitary programme which was built on the best practice from across the five legacy councils.  The policy would be built upon in the new council to strengthen the organisation’s position.

RESOLVED:  The Shadow Executive AGREED the draft Equality Policy, AGREED to continue using the Equality Impact Assessment template and guidance developed for the shadow authority, NOTED the requirement to publish workforce monitoring and gender pay gap data annually and NOTED the approach to memberships and accreditations.