Decision - Single Equality Scheme update

(1)         That Cabinet supports the work to reduce inequality across the city and note progress made so far against the objectives set out in the Single Equality Scheme Action Plan.

(2)         That Cabinet notes plans for a review of the Scheme and, concurrently, the council’s Equality and Inclusion Policy, to build on existing good practice and ensure outcomes that make a real and lasting difference to the way the city deals with these priority areas of work.

It was agreed that six-monthly reports would be made on progress against the Single Equality Scheme to be discussed and noted by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission.

The current Single Equality Scheme and Equality and Inclusion Policy run out at the end of 2011 and need to be reviewed. Creating a single combined policy and scheme will simplify and streamline the council’s equalities approach.

Councils are required to produce schemes relating to the equality groups covered by legislation. The alternative to a single scheme was to produce multiple schemes (one for each of the 6 equality strands, plus carers, socio-economic disadvantage and others). However, this was not considered appropriate, as it creates significant duplication and would not effectively address issues of cross-cutting disadvantage or multiple discrimination. Therefore it was decided to develop one Single Equality Scheme.