Purpose

Presentation of the draft Equalities,
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the borough covering the
period 2023 to 2026 and seeking approval for the draft Strategy to
be published for public consultation prior to a final version being
produced.

Decision

RESOLVED:
 
A. That Cabinet agreed to go
out to public consultation on the draft Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion Strategy prior to a final version being presented to
Council for adoption in November 2023.
B. That Cabinet delegated the
authority to agree the final version of the Strategy, for
submitting to Council, to the Cabinet Member for Civic Pride
in order to enable a longer consultation
timescale.
C. That Cabinet noted that in
addition to the nine Protected Characteristics defined by the
Equality Act the scope of the strategy has been extended to include
care experienced young people, armed forces veterans, single parent
households and socio-economic status.
D. That Cabinet noted the
proposed consultation timeline.
E. That Cabinet noted the
proposed duration of the Strategy is intended to align both with
the end date of the new Council Plan and to the Equality and Human
Rights Commission’s requirement that Councils publish updated
equalities objectives every four years.