Purpose

The council will add ‘socio-economic
disadvantage’ as an additional consideration as part of the
existing Equality Impact Assessment process, alongside the nine
protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. This
change will ensure that the council will consider barriers to
inclusion and opportunity and other impacts due to socio-economic
status when making decisions.

Decision

Cabinet approved the
following recommendations:

·      
Approved the inclusion of socio-economic disadvantage as a
criterion within the Council’s EqIA process, alongside the protected
characteristics defined in law.

·      
Noted an action plan for the next year as follows:
o  
i. Develop a systemic approach to
tackling socio-economic inequality through key programmes like
#2035 and the implementation of the Poverty Review
recommendations.
o  
ii. Ensure alignment with our charter of community participation
specifically that people are enabled to participate in council
engagement, co-production and decisions where socio-economic
disadvantage would be a barrier
 
Reasons for Decision: By formalising a
council-wide commitment to poverty, this decision will embed
consideration of socio-economic disadvantage into usual council
business. Decision makers will be enabled to make informed
decisions about when different delivery options could bring about
positive impact or prevent hardship.