The Equalities Board of Enfield Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss the Annual Equalities Report for 2025/26 and to agree priorities for the upcoming work programme. The meeting also included a review of the Board's Terms of Reference.

Annual Equalities Report 2025/26

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided on the development of the Annual Equalities Report for the 2025/26 period. This report is intended to provide an overview of the council's performance and activities related to equality.

Work Programme 2026/27

The Board was scheduled to agree and prioritise items for its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This would involve determining the key areas of focus and activities for the Board over the coming year. The previous meeting's minutes noted that the work programme for 2026/27 would be discussed at the first meeting of the new municipal year.

Terms of Reference

The Equalities Board was scheduled to note for information its attached Terms of Reference. These terms outline the Board's purpose, membership, and responsibilities. The Equalities Board is established to oversee the council's processes for eliminating discrimination based on the protected characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010. The protected characteristics are age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender (sex), and sexual orientation. The council also includes care experience as a protected characteristic, as agreed on 22 November 2023. The Board's functions include monitoring the council's performance against equality legislation, acting as a consultative and advisory body for new policies, raising awareness of service user needs, and providing a sounding board for proposals that may affect protected characteristics. It also aims to promote understanding of equalities, encourage mutual respect, and highlight the benefits of a diverse workforce.

Future Meetings

The dates for future meetings of the Equalities Board were scheduled to be noted: Monday 7 December 2026, Wednesday 3 February 2027, and Monday 19 April 2027.