Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services in respect of the above.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Equality and Diversity said that the Strategic Equality Plan sets out the Authority’s ambition for equality to build a fairer society for all of Anglesey’s citizens and helping the Council to achieve a vision for an Anglesey that is healthy and prosperous where families can thrive. 

The Director of Social Services as lead Officer on the Senior Leadership Team leading on the Equalities said that the Equality Act 2010 places a duty on all local authorities to publish a Strategic Equality Plan and its objectives must be reviewed at least every four years.  A new Plan must be published for the period 2020-204 and the purpose of the Plan is to set out the steps the Council is taking to fulfil its specific equality duties.  It was noted that the Plan for 2020/2024 will submitted to the Executive and full Council for approval.

The Policy and Strategy Manager reported that the objectives within the Draft Strategic Equality Plan 2020/2024 attached to the report are based on the main challenges facing Wales, which need attention, identified in the report published by the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, ‘Is Wales Fairer’? The objective are also based upon regional priorities identified via joint engagement conducted by the North Wales Public Sector Equality Network (NWPSEN) and local priorities identified via engagement with Medrwn Môn Wellbeing Network.

The Policy and Strategy Manager reported that the Council recognises the statutory requirements to undertake equality impact assessments and that carrying out robust assessments is an effective way of ensuring that any potential areas of inequality are identified and addressed promptly securing a consistent approach across the authority in terms of completing effective impact assessments (EIA’s) was identified as a priority back in 2011/2012 and throughout this time, continued developing of the Council’s arrangements has been undertaken with the aim of mainstreaming this process into day-to-day work carried out within the Council. 

The Policy and Strategy Manager made reference to 5.1 within the Plan – ‘Improve personal security and access to justice’; more than one organisation will contribute to achieving this priority with the Council contributing towards the personal security element and the police towards the other elements.

The Policy and Strategy Manager outlined the priorities within the Draft Strategic Equality Plan for 2020/2024 and noted that not all the priorities are relevant to every service within the Authority and gave an example that objective 3 within the Plan refers to improved physical access to services, transport, the built environment and open spaces; this priority would be a matter for the Highways, Waste and Property Services to address.  She stated that the priorities are evenly distributed across Council Services.  However, she expressed that it must be stressed that Elected Members and Staff have a responsibility to address Equalities within the day-to-day work of the Council. She also stated that the work is not confined to achieving the priorities within the Plan since other priorities may become apparent and will need addressing.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·           Clarification was sought as to whom had identified the priority areas of equalities within the report.  The Policy and Strategy Manager responded that the Council has prioritised the priorities within the Strategic Equality Plan with regard to evidence base and the need to address issues raised;

·           Clarification was sought as to how the Council intends to strengthen the process for engaging with individuals protected under the Equality Act 2010 when developing the Strategic Equality Plan in the future.  The Policy and Strategy Manager responded that engagement has been undertaken with Medrwn Môn’s Wellbeing Network to ascertain their priorities and local concerns.  Following drafting the priorities within the Draft Strategic Equality Plan consultation was undertaken with Medrwn Môn’s on the draft priorities identified. 

It was RESOLVED:-

·           that the Executive approves the Strategic Equality Plan for 2020/2024;

·           that arrangements are put in place for the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to monitor progress on equality on an annual basis, as a matter of course.

ACTION : As noted above.