Decision details

To approve the draft Single Equality Scheme for public consultation.

Matter for Decision: The City Council has developed a draft Single Equality Scheme that sets out how the organisation will challenge discrimination and promote equal opportunity in all aspects of its work over the next three years.

Decision of the Leader

The Leader resolved to:

i.       Approve the draft Single Equality Scheme 2015-2018 for public consultation.

ii.     Approve the objectives of the draft Single Equality Scheme, as set out at 3.11 of the officer’s report, as the interim objectives for the City Council’s work on equalities, pending the outcome of public consultation and approval of the final scheme in July 2015.

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

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the officer’s report

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

The committee made the following comments on the report

       i.          Thanked officer for a comprehensive and detailed report.

In response to member’s questions the Strategy and Partnerships Manager said the following:

       i.          Confirmed that the terminology within the Single Equality Scheme and the Equalities Act would be consistent in the final draft of the City Council’s scheme.

     ii.          The Single Equality Scheme of 2012-2015 set six objectives. The five objectives proposed for 2015-2018 combined the objectives relating to workforce and also placed more emphasis on ensuring equal access to public activities and spaces in the City.

   iii.          The five objectives identified build on the City Council’s previous work and achievements on the equality agenda and were identified by an analysis of how communities in Cambridge had changed over recent years.

   iv.          Whilst some areas were obviously cross-cutting the aim was to keep the Single Equalities Scheme and the Anti-Poverty Strategy separate. This would ensure that neither policy was ‘diluted’.

The Scrutiny Committee considered the recommendations and endorsed them unanimously.

The Leader approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Leader (and any Dispensations Granted):

Not applicable.