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Cabinet received a report highlighting the progress
made in advancing Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion (EDI) across the council since the introduction of
the EDI Action Plan for 2023-24, whilst also looking to the
Council’s proposed EDI actions for next year as part of the
EDI Action Plan for 2024-25.

In presenting the report, the Portfolio Holder for
Stronger Communities thanked the officers involved in producing the
Action Plan.  He was also pleased to
inform Members that the first Stevenage Equalities Commission
Conference would be held on 15 October at the Gordon Craig Theatre
where Leaders, Organisations and Advocates would be coming together
to tackle the critical issues of race and equality.

Cabinet welcomed the report and the proposed
approach particularly in the work that would be undertaken linking
with communities.  Members looked
forward to the October Conference but were keen to ensure that
other protected characteristics such as disabilities, gender and
sexual orientation would all be looked at in the same detail in due
course.
It was RESOLVED:
1.              
That the progress in the delivery of the EDI Action
Plan in 2023-2024 (Appendix A), be noted and agreed.
2.              
That the revised EDI Action Plan for 2024-25
(Appendix B) be noted and agreed, and that the Strategic Director
(RP) be given delegated authority to agree a final version of the
action plan in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Stronger
Communities and the Leader of the Council.