Agenda item

Report to follow

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that the revised Chesterfield Borough Council Equality and Diversity Strategy and Policy 2017-19, be adopted and implemented.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Strategy and Policy provide a framework for the council to continue to ensure that the services it provides are fair and meet the needs of the local community, and that the council discharges its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

The Policy Officer submitted a report seeking comments and feedback from Cabinet members on a new Cabinet on a draft Chesterfield Borough Council Equality and Diversity Strategy and Policy for 2017-19, in advance of it being submitted to full Council for approval.

The report noted that the updated Equality and Diversity Policy and Strategy for 2017-19 reflected the council’s current understanding of the needs of its local communities as well as the council’s corporate priorities as defined in the Council Plan 2015 - 19. The proposed Equality and Diversity Policy was attached as an appendix to the officer’s report and included information on the council’s corporate commitment to equality and diversity, including service provision and employment, as well as details of the council’s corporate equality and diversity principles.

The proposed Equality and Diversity Strategy was also attached as an appendix to the officer’s report and provided information on:

·        the council’s commitment to equality and diversity

·        the roles and responsibilities across the council in relation to equalities

·        how the council planned to achieve its corporate equality objectives

·        the council’s corporate equality objectives and the related actions required to deliver the strategy.

The proposed policy and strategy incorporated the council’s approach to discharging its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 (including the Public Sector Equality Duty) as a service commissioner, service provider, and employer. Members noted with approval that the scope and objectives of the proposed policy and strategy went over and above the minimum requirements as detailed in the legislation. 

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that the revised Chesterfield Borough Council Equality and Diversity Policy and Straregy 2017-19, be adopted and implemented.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Policy and Strategy provide a framework for the council to continue to ensure that the services it provides are fair and meet the needs of local communities, and that the council discharges its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.