Agenda item

The report summarises the activities undertaken in 2023-2024 by the Council to progress our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework. The Framework includes three thematic objectives that demonstrate how we are meeting our responsibilities under the public sector equality duty. 

The report summarised the activities undertaken in 2023-2024 by the Council to progress our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework. The Framework includes three thematic objectives that demonstrate how we are meeting our responsibilities under the public sector equality duty.  

The following matters were considered:

a)            Equality related complaints. A Member of the Committee raised that in Appendix 1, para 4.2.5, it states that there were no equality related complaints and queried if that was a sign of improvements in that area or if that is typical for the Council. The Business Assurance Manager responded to confirm that the Customer Service Team had reported that no equality related complaints were received this year and that the Council does not typically receive many equality related complaints.

b)            Borough Profile. A Member of the Committee asked if the Borough Profile referenced in Appendix 1 is the same as the Borough Profile document, they were aware of, a 20-page document showing a breakdown and comparison of areas throughout the Borough. The Business Assurance Manager confirmed that they are the same document. The Business Assurance Manager explained to the Committee that the document is only being shared internally currently, since being updated with the release of the census data, this is due to it currently being comprised of the raw data and not yet being formatted in an easily digestible or engaging way for it to be shared more widely. The Business Assurance Manager confirmed that it is currently being looked at as to how to prioritise the data and make it more engaging and applicable to audiences. The Member asked if the updated data could be put into a similar format as previously and shared more widely. The Business Assurance Manager informed the Member that once the relevant information is identified, the next step will be to resource the work needed to format the document before it could be shared for general use. The Member asked for a date as to when the Borough Profile could be published. The Business Assurance Manager informed the Committee that it could be added onto their work schedule for the coming municipal year and a further update could be provided at the March Committee Meeting. Another Member of the Committee expressed their interest in having access to the updated Borough Profile document.

c)            Categorisation of Complaints. A Member of the Committee asked how a complaint is categorised once it has been received.The Business Assurance Manager responded to confirm that they would provide a response after consulting with the Customer Service Team. The Business Assurance Manager informed the Committee that all complaints are reviewed, and the members of the Customer Service Team are members of the internal diversity, equity and inclusion group, to help ensure they are able to confidently and accurately identify and categorise complaints received.

d)            Equity or Equality. The Vice Chair queried if equity or equality was the correct term when discussing the complaints. A Member of the Committee stated that equity is the relevant term. The Business Assurance Manager informed the Committee that a definition of equity is set out in the report, and equity is referred to in the framework.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note and comment on the activities undertaken in 2023-2024 by the Council to progress our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework (Appendix 1).