Decision Maker: Formartine Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 4, 2025

Purpose: This report presents the Council’s fourth set of Equality Outcomes, which build on the current outcomes and establish new ones. These outcomes aim to support and continue the Council's efforts to reduce social inequality in Aberdeenshire.

Content: The Committee provided the following comments:   a)    Do we have a contingency plan if any of our partnerships or mechanisms to deliver were to cease? b)    It would be helpful to have more information about what is being done to try and minimise the gender pay gap, are other Local Authorities achieving more than Aberdeenshire Council in this respect?  It would also be helpful to see colleges and universities being encouraged to consider this issue, c)    As regards the 5 priorities for the Aberdeenshire 2023-2026 Children’s Services Plan, as we discuss whole family wellbeing, where are we now signposting families to? d)    The Prejudice and Discrimination Reporting Process does not refer to Councillors, is there such a process that they can access that can be included within the information, e)    It would be helpful to understand who monitors the Aberdeenshire Council Social Media platforms, as equalities issues are often noted within comments, and f)      Does Aberdeenshire Council challenge local newspapers where their articles meet the discrimination criteria?