Issue - items at meetings - Equality and Access Workstream Update

Report of the Executive Director for Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities.

RESOLVED:That the presentation be noted.

6.1          The Community Co-Ordinator gave a presentation to the meeting which provided an update on the Equalities and Access work across the Council in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

6.2          The Sub-Committee welcomed the timely presentation and thanked the officers for their work in bringing the report and presentation to the meeting. It was noted that reference had been made to BAME groups and it was hoped that this could be rectified for the future to refer to BAME & Communities. Members of the Sub-Committee also hoped that vulnerable groups could be reached to ensure that the message around the need to get vaccinated was received and that those groups were then able to access vaccination centres.

6.3          The Community Co-ordinator assured the Sub-Committee that outreach work was able to access the various community groups / leaders so that support could be provided, and information given to those vulnerable people. She stated that there was a need to go through these avenues to ensure the relevant people were reached as it was not always possible to contact them directly.

6.4          Members of the Sub-Committee also noted that residents were expressing a difficulty in accessing all council services as the city moved through the recovery process it was hoped that the Council could also respond and ensure services were accessible.

6.5          The Chief Executive noted that the pandemic had led to a significant change in the way people worked and how services could be accessed, with a lot more being managed online. He stated that there was an officer working group looking at how council services could be opened up and greater face to face interactions facilitated.

6.6          The Chair noted the comments and put the recommendation to note the presentation to the vote which was carried.

6.7          RESOLVED:That the presentation be noted.