Issue - meetings

The report summarises the activities undertaken in 2024-2025 by the Council to progress its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework. The Framework includes three thematic objectives that demonstrate how the Council is meeting its responsibilities under the public sector equality duty.  

The Committee received a report summarising the activities undertaken in 2024-2025 by the Council to progress its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework. The Framework includes three thematic objectives that demonstrate how the Council is meeting its responsibilities under the public sector equality duty.  

The following matters were considered:

a)            Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network. A Member of the Committee raised that they provided a question in advance of the meeting, in respect to the funding of the Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network. The Chair noted that the question has been received and passed to the relevant officer and a written response would be provided and shared with all Committee Members. The Member asked what confidence EERN can have that their funding will be secure going forwards. The Assistant Director of Corporate Services explained that in the past the Council has had grant funding, however given changing circumstances in both Ukraine and Afghanistan, there is uncertainty as to whether that grant funding is going to continue. The Assistant Director of Corporate Services agreed that a written response could be provided after the meeting.

b)            Website Accessibility. A Member of the Committee noted the work of EEBC to ensure the website is accessibility compliant and highlighted the commitment and achievement for a smaller Council to accomplish this, over much bigger Councils who are not compliant.

c)            Housing and Homelessness. A Member of the Committee commended Council staff who have achieved 41 successful preventions from homelessness over the last quarter. The Member highlighted two bullet points in paragraph E on page 135, the first being that only one new property has been taken on last April, and the second being a landlord forum set up in September, was well attended to promote the private sector leasing scheme and rent deposit scheme. The Member asked if we are moving quickly enough to develop private sector leasing, and what was the further outcome from the landlord forum in September. The Assistant Director of Corporate Services stated the question does not relate to the DEI report. The Assistant Director of Corporate Services explained that one of the reasons why the report is taking about private sector leasing and homelessness is because one of the things that the Council is trying to do, is to tackle health inequalities and socioeconomic deprivation in the borough, so an important step is trying to get more stable housing for people who are at risk of homelessness. Therefore, it is mentioned in the report to reflect the progress in that area. The Chair informed the Member that the questions could be asked of the Community & Wellbeing Committee and a response shared with Members.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note and comment on the activities undertaken in 2024-2025 by the Council to progress our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework (Appendix 1).