Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from the Audit & Governance Committee.

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented a report setting out the recommendation from the Audit and Governance Committee, which met on 15 April 2024 to consider the publication of Guidance to Councillors about the Council’s Sexual Harassment Policy.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr N Lacey-Clark

Decision

That Full Council endorses the publication of Guidance to Councillors about the Council’s Sexual Harassment Policy.

To receive a report by Jonathan Mair, Director Legal and Democratic.

The Director for Legal and Democratic introduced the report. He informed that the Council needed to have equivalent guidance on sexual harassment that officers received but for councillors. As the councillors were not employees and had a different status, the legal protections and duties did not apply in the same way as Councillors, but it was still important that the Council had an equivalent policy. The policy set out expectations around behaviour as Councillors but also practical guidance like what to do if a Councillor experiences or witness sexual harassment. A small minority of people could cause a lot of damage both individually to people and/or to the reputation of the organisation. The policy could also be used for the new councillor inductions.

Proposing Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Pauline Batstone.

On being put to a vote the amendment was CARRIED.

Recommendation to Full Council

To Recommend that Full Council endorse the publication of Guidance to Councillors about the Council’s Sexual Harassment Policy.

Reason for Decision

The Equality Act 2010 provides legal protections for workers from sexual harassment at work. The staff policy explains how the Council fulfils its legal obligations but does more than that and aims to enable a safe culture at work, free from sexual harassment.

Endorsement by the Audit and Governance Committee of guidance to councillors further strengthens this commitment and will enable the guidance to form part of the induction of councillors after elections in May 2024.