Issue - items at meetings - Final Report of the Brighton and Hove Fairness Commission

Report of the Chief Executive (copy attached)

11.1    The Committee considered the report of the Brighton and Hove Fairness Commission which had met and conducted its research between September 2015 and June 2016. The report summarised the findings of the Commission and set out in detail the short and longer term approach to responding to its recommendations, which had been made to a wide range of partners in the city including those made to the council itself.

11.2    It was explained that the last public meeting of the Commission had been held in March 2016, following which it had met to review evidence and to produce its final report and recommendations which were attached at Appendix 1 and a headlines document, Appendix 2.Also attached as Appendix 3 was the University of Brighton/Community University Partnership Project (CUPP) analysis of the public consultation work undertaken. In answer to questions it was explained that the Corporate Policy Team would take on an overarching role carrying this work forward in order to ensure that the element of this work which vested with the council was supported and monitored, this was already being done to inform the work of the newly created directorate and was proving to be a valuable tool in that respect.

11.3    Councillor Littman stated that he had been impressed by the manner in which the work of the Commission had been under taken from the outset and was very pleased to note that examples of good practice had been identified which would provide a benchmark for further work.

11.4    Councillor Simson concurred that this was a valuable piece of work which was already being used to inform future working practices all who had contributed and worked towards this process should be thanked.

11.5    Joanna Martindale, Hangleton and Knoll Project, also commended this piece of work citing the importance of ensuring that the voluntary sector were fully involved in the process welcoming the strong message that had been given that this would be so.

11.6    Councillor Norman also welcomed the report stating that it was also important to ensure that sufficient resources were in place to ensure that those who volunteered were able to be appropriately utilised, given the training necessary to carry out their work and that all necessary health and safety assessments were undertaken; details of how this work would be carried out in practice were welcomed. Councillor Simson concurred in that view and it was agreed that an update would be provided for Members to a future meeting detailing progress. It was confirmed that the “how to” elements of this had been incorporated and that discussions had already taken place with a number of partners and local businesses and that it was anticipated that this would evolve further over time.

11.7    The Committee agreed that Councillors Bell and Littman be appointed to the Member Woking Party and voted unanimously in support of the recommendations set out in the report.

11.8    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee welcomes and notes the reports of the Fairness Commission; including the public consultation report produced by the University of Brighton;

            (2) That the Committee agrees the proposed approach to responding to its findings and recommendations; including the establishment of a short life Member Working Group, Councillors Bell and Littman to be appointed from this Committee; and

            (3) That the Committee notes that the recommendations are the responsibility of city wide partners as well as the council and that Brighton and Hove Connected is therefore well placed to also receive and consider the report and its role going forward.