In the last 7 days (since Saturday 22 June 2024), the council has held the following meetings:

Corporate & Performance Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 27 June 2024

The Corporate & Performance Scrutiny Committee met and discussed three key items: the council's new Equality, Procurement & Sustainability Strategy 2024-2028, the Draft Menstruation and Menopause Policy, and the Welsh Language Annual Report 2023-2024.

Equality, Procurement & Sustainability Strategy 2024-2028

The committee approved the council's Equality, Procurement & Sustainability Strategy 2024-2028. This strategy outlines how the council will meet its legal duties under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, focusing on sustainability and the well-being of future generations. Over the next five years, the council will prioritize improving sustainability and social value in its procurement processes. The strategy identifies six key themes:

• Promoting Welsh Language, Culture, and Heritage
• Tackling Poverty
• Improving Health and Well-being
• Promoting Education, Skills, Employment, and Training
• Improving Community Cohesion and Engagement
• Protecting the Environment and Tackling Climate Change

The strategy also emphasizes the need to engage with under-represented groups to better understand their needs. Councillor David White questioned the cost and value of the report, asking:

how much has this cost to put together and is it value for money?

He also queried whether an 'equality impact assessment' was necessary:

I just wonder whether an EIA on this report is something that we should be doing.

An officer responded that the strategy itself was about equality and did not require an impact assessment, and the cost had been met from existing budgets. The committee voted unanimously to approve the strategy.

Draft Menstruation and Menopause Policy

The committee also approved the council's draft Menstruation and Menopause Policy. Developed in response to a previous council motion, this policy aims to support council employees experiencing menopause or menstruation and raise awareness of these issues. Councillor Julie Holt highlighted the policy's significance:

really good for women within our organisation, but also sends out a message to the wider community.

The committee unanimously approved the policy.

Welsh Language Annual Report 2023-2024

Lastly, the committee noted the council's Welsh Language Annual Report 2023-2024, which updates on the council’s performance in relation to the Welsh Language Standards.

Cancelled Meetings

Two scheduled meetings were cancelled this week:

• Unnamed Meeting - Tuesday 25 June 2024
• Statutory Licensing Committee - Tuesday 25 June 2024

No further details were provided for these cancellations.

For more information on the council's activities and decisions, you can visit the provided links to each meeting's official documentation.