Decision details

To approve the finalised Single Equality Scheme 2015-2018.

Matter for Decision

 

The draft of the new Single Equality scheme was approved for public consultation at Strategy and Resources Committee on 19 January 2015. Public consultation on the scheme took place for 13 weeks from 2 March to 29 May 2015. The report presented the key findings from the consultation and a finalised version of the Single Equality Scheme for approval.

 

Decision of the Leader

 

Approved the finalised Single Equality Scheme 2015-2018 at Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

 

Reason for the Decision

 

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

The Committee received a report from the Strategy and Partnership Manager regarding the Single Equality Scheme 2015-2018.

 

Councillor Sarris stated that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.  community lack social spaces or venues; this in turn made it harder to target health messages. The Strategy and Partnership Manager confirmed that this had been identified as an area for action. His team were currently working with grant funded community groups to support events in the future.

 

Councillor Herbert stated that he would be asking the Executive Councillor for Communities to investigate the options available. He further suggested that Councillor Sarris be involved in the project.

 

Councillor Benstead was concerned that declarations of Gypsy and Traveller ethnicity were under recorded in the last census. He suggested that those who moved to a settled lifestyle might hide their heritage as discrimination against these groups remained an issue. He requested more work be done to engage these communities as Cambridge had always been an important place to Gypsy and Traveller communities.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

 

     i.        Stated that some of the newer hi tech companies have very good gender support networks and might be willing to share best practices.

    ii.        Suggested using an external agency for future surveys to see if this resulted in a higher return rate.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Strategy and Partnership Manager said the following:

 

     i.        Whilst individual response rates to the survey were low, a number of meetings were held with community groups, on a one to one basis.

    ii.        Work was on-going to establish links with community and faith groups. Officers would welcome any contact details Members might be aware of.  

 

The Director of Customer and Communities stated that this initiative belonged to all staff and Members. If Members felt the Gypsy and Traveller issues were priorities, a review, including housing needs of those groups, could be carried out ahead of next year’s Single Equality Scheme report.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.