Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation.

Decision

(a)           That Cabinet supports the adoption and supporting definitions for the 7 local protected characteristics.

(b)           That Cabinet approve the EDI Strategy and Action Plan 2024 – 2027

(c)           That Cabinet approve the supporting detailed EDI Action plan which covered the period 2024 – 2027.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that Dorset Council’s workplace and services were meeting the need of everyone, we had the responsibility to listen and respond better. As one of the county’s largest employers, we also had responsibility to lead by example.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation presented the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan for approval. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer explained that the council had a statutory duty for EDI and the action plan would be used for ensuring services were accessible for all and celebrating the diversity of Dorset.  Members were further advised that the People and Health Overview Committee had considered the EDI Strategy and action plan, and their recommendations were included in the document before members.

It was proposed by Cllr Holloway and seconded by Cllr S Bartlett.

Decision

(a)           That Cabinet supports the adoption and supporting definitions for the 7 local protected characteristics.

(b)           That Cabinet approve the EDI Strategy and Action Plan 2024 – 2027

(c)           That Cabinet approve the supporting detailed EDI Action plan which covered the period 2024 – 2027.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that Dorset Council’s workplace and services were meeting the need of everyone, the Council had the responsibility to listen and respond better. As one of the county’s largest employers, Dorset Council also had the responsibility to lead by example.

To receive a report by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Development and Transformation introduced the report. He stated that the council had statutory duties for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Uses for the strategy and action plan included making services accessible for all and celebrating the diversity of Dorset. The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer explained the content of the strategy and that progress would be monitored by the EDI Strategic Board.

Members discussed the report, and the following points were raised:

·       There were 134 tasks in the action plan. Some of the main tasks may get lost in the volume of work so there was a need to focus on the tasks which would have the most impact.

·       Some of the tasks were requirements in the Local Government Association framework.

·       There could be SMART targets for the 9 top level priorities.

·       It was important that people are aware of unconscious bias.

·       Local protected characterises could be recognised, however the impact of this needed to be seen. An example was defining rural isolation as a local protected characteristic. Officers stated that impacts were included in Equalities Impact Assessments and defining the local protected characteristics would enable more informed decisions to be made.

·       The Dorset Council transgender inclusion policy would be informed by best practice which was shared with employees for feedback. It would be reviewed by the EDI Strategic Board and trade unions, ahead of the Senior Leadership Team.

·       There were 18 outstanding actions in the previous action plan, these would be included as actions in the new action plan.

·       There were red, amber, and green (RAG) ratings in the action plan, these should be changed to metrics which would enable the monitoring of progress.

·       In relation to comments about an action on staff experience and South-West Inclusion Strategy, these would be looked at for the Cabinet report.

In relation to the council’s employee wellbeing support, the head of Human Resources confirmed that there would be a review of the wellbeing support to ensure there was good value for money and impact from the support. There was potential for procurement of an employee assistance programme that makes access to these services easier for employees.

Officers confirmed that suggestions from the committee for the strategy and action plan would be taken into account before Cabinet.

Proposed by Cllr S Jones, seconded by Cllr J Atwal.

Decision

That it be recommended to Cabinet that it:

1.     Supports the adoption and supporting definitions for the 7 local protected characteristics.

2.     Approves the EDI Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027

3.     Approves the supporting detailed EDI Action Plan which covers the period 2024-2027.