Equality Objectives Annual Report 2021

The focus of this objective is to continue to seek opportunities to build inclusivity into the Council’s internal policies and procedures.

Areas of activity

A) Reviewing – and as necessary updating – relevant internal policies and procedures

Corporate Equality Policy

Following a review in 2020, the Council’s Corporate Equality Policy was updated to ensure it remained fit for purpose and properly reflected the Councils duties and obligations. This process was supported by consultation with Unions and the Staff Association as well as the Council’s Corporate Governance Group. This policy has remained current in 2021, and is available - GOV.UK on the Council’s intranet and external-facing website.

Equality Impact Assessment template

Similarly to the Corporate Equality Policy, the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment template was updated in 2020. The template supports the completion of Equality Impact Assessments, which ensure Council services and decisions take account of equality considerations. As identified in the 2020 report, the updates included making the template more user friendly, including better signposting to equality information and data sources, including more emphasis on opportunities to taking a proactive approach to ensuring equality of opportunity, and enabling consideration of impact on all vulnerable residents (not just those with protected characteristics). The template has remained current in 2021 and is used to support the Council’s formal decision making process and project management approach

B) Reviewing – and as necessary updating – resources and training for staff, and member learning and development resources, in relation to equalities issues

Resources and training for staff

The Council’s intranet was updated with additional and clearer information on equality, diversity and inclusion in 2020. Resources available to staff include the Corporate Equality Policy, the Council’s Equality Objectives, and borough and workforce equality information. The intranet pages were also updated to include better signposting to an expanded range of training and learning opportunities, and external resources providing more information and guidance. This information has remained current, and these pages have been maintained in 2021.

In the first half of 2021, we also ran an internal communications campaign for staff about diversity and inclusion. This included information on the updated policy and resources, along with personal messages from a number of officers about their experiences with equality, diversity and inclusion, and doing the right thing for everyone.

Member learning and development

Training on equality, diversity and inclusion is available and encouraged for elected Members each year, supported and facilitated by the Local Government Association (LGA). Additional information is also readily available through the Council and the LGA. The most recent workshop was held in January 2022, and included information on a range of topics, including common challenges faced by Councils, public sector equality duties, and addressing any systematic issues to create an inclusive Council.

Training and information is also made available to all new Members as part of the induction process, with additional training on employment law available, and required for those serving on the Council’s Employment Committee.

Future focus

The Council’s internal policies and procedures are up to date, and will continue to be implemented across the organisation throughout 2022. Where new information or guidance emerges, they will be reviewed and updated as appropriate. Signposting to supporting information and data will be updated as new material becomes available, such as the 2021 census outcomes.

Training for Council officers and elected Members will continue to be maintained and refreshed throughout the year. Additional resources will be made available in specific areas, such as the continued expansion of website accessibility training. As with the Council’s policies and procedures, training and resources will be updated as appropriate in response to new regulations, guidance or information, and feedback from ongoing training and engagement will help to inform and shape future activities.