Decision details

Matter for Decision: To consider the Annual Review of Equalities.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor:

 

The Leader of the Council resolved to  

 

i)                   Approve the Equalities Action Plan for publication and the proposed new performance management framework for the delivery of equality in employment and service delivery within the Council and in the Council’s role as a community leader with the following amendments

 

·       Insert into “Employment Practices” section - We will not exclude transgender people from positions, which require a gender-appropriate candidate.

 

·       Insert into the “Valuing our customers – delivering services” section - transgender people will not be excluded from gender-appropriate single sex/sex segregated facilities operated by the council

 

·       Insert “as a minimum standard” at the end of aims/action 6 and 7

 

ii)                 Approve the adoption by the City Council of the Inequalities Charter for Cambridgeshire.

 

iii)               Approve the up-dated Comprehensive Equalities and Diversity Policy.

 

Reason for the Decision:  As set out in the officer’s report. 

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: N/A

 

Scrutiny Considerations: The committee received a report from the Head of Strategy and Partnerships regarding the Annual Review of Equalities.   

 

Councillor Brown proposed a number of amendments to strengthen the protection for transgender employees and service users. Other members of the committee expressed support for the proposal, although it was noted additional notice about the amendment would have aided the debate. The Head of Strategy and Partnership advised the committee of a number of proposed amendments to address the concerns raised.  The Scrutiny Committee endorsed the following amendments by 5 votes to 0;

 

·       Insert into “Employment Practices” section - We will not exclude transgender people from positions, which require a gender-appropriate candidate.

 

·       Insert into the “Valuing our customers – delivering services” section - transgender people will not be excluded from gender-appropriate single sex/sex segregated facilities operated by the council

 

·       Insert “as a minimum standard” at the end of aims/action 6 and 7

 

The current positions in relation to the targets for the employment of members of the BME and disabled community were noted, and clarification was sought on the mechanisms in place to improve performance particularly around the access to buildings. The committee were advised that the current reporting period to which the targets related had not been concluded, and that the targets had been raised recently as a result of strong past performance. The Chief Executive agreed to prepare a briefing note on the arrangements in place to support members of staff who are not able to access specific buildings or offices.

 

The Director of Customer and Customer agreed to supply Cllr Al Bander a copy of the “Community Safety Plan. 

 

The Scrutiny Committee considered and endorsed the recommendations by 5 votes to 0.

 

The Leader of the Council agreed the recommendations as amended.