The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Friday 12 June 2026 to discuss a call-in regarding the proposed decommissioning of the Council's equalities service, EQuIP. The committee ultimately decided to refer the decision back to the portfolio holder, requesting that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be allowed to review the consultation document before it is published and that the portfolio holder consider comments made by committee members.

Call In: Decision to Consult on the Proposed Decommissioning of the Council's Equalities Service

The committee considered a call-in request concerning the Portfolio Holder's decision to consult on ceasing to externally commission an equalities service, currently provided by the Equalities and Inclusion Partnership (EQuIP). Councillors Sarah Boad, Jennifer McAllister, Nicki Scott, and Sarah Feeney, who signed the call-in request, raised concerns that the decision appeared predetermined and that EQuIP had been singled out for review without a comparative assessment of other commissioned voluntary sector services. They argued that EQuIP provides vital support, particularly in areas of hate crime and discrimination, and that its decommissioning could lead to increased discrimination and a breach of the Council's Public Sector Equality Duty¹.

Councillor Mike Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Internal Affairs, stated that the decision was to consult, not to cease the service, and that all points raised would be considered during the consultation process. He explained that the proposal was driven by financial pressures and a review of discretionary spending, and that the consultation was a necessary step to gather public and stakeholder views.

Councillor David Curtis highlighted the Gunning Principles² for public consultation, emphasizing that proposals should be at a formative stage and that genuine consideration must be given to consultation responses. He argued that the consultation document, which presented options as already discounted, did not align with these principles.

Following extensive debate and an adjournment to consider proposed recommendations, the committee voted on a series of recommendations. Recommendation 1, to cancel the proposed consultation, was defeated. Recommendation 2, to commission two reviews (an independent best-value review of EQuIP and a thematic review of all commissioned voluntary sector services), was also defeated. Recommendation 3, to establish a cross-party taskforce to oversee the consultation and ensure broad participation, was amended and combined with a new Recommendation 4.

The final decision was to refer the matter back to the portfolio holder for reconsideration. The committee recommended that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be allowed to review the consultation document before its commencement, and that the portfolio holder would consider comments made by committee members, including suggestions for maximising public participation. This decision was carried with six votes in favour, two against, and two abstentions.