Issue - meetings

To undertake pre-scrutiny of the draft Single Equalities Scheme report.

(Report attached – Appendix 7 to follow)

The Committee was informed of the Council’s statutory duty to publish and adopt Race Equality, Disability Equality and Gender Equality schemes.

Officers reported that the Single Equality Scheme, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, outlined the context in which the Council operated and its baseline position in relation to equality and equalities.

Members were informed that the initial deadline of 22nd December 2009 set by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights had been extended to 28th February 2010.  The Executive Committee would therefore consider the Single Equalities Scheme on 27th January 2010.  This extension would allow more time for consultation and to include amendments.

Members suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be fully involved in the process.  In particular, Members agreed that this could involve scrutiny of particular equalities strands in turn.  The Committee agreed that gender equalities was especially suitable for scrutiny and should be the first topic for review following approval of the Single Equalities Scheme.

RECOMMENDED that

the Single Equalities Scheme be approved; and

RESOLVED that

1)                 following approval of the single Equalities Scheme the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be further involved in the process through reviews of particular equalities strands; and

2)                 the report be noted.