Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Julie Matthews, Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Policy and Equalities (copy enclosed) detailing the internal arrangements for supporting the equality and diversity agenda and seeking Cabinet approval to form a Member-led Equality and Diversity Group.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes recent developments, and approves the formation of a Member-led Equality and Diversity Group (to be reviewed after 12 months to consider whether the Group needs to cease, alter and/or celebrate achievements).

Councillor Julie Matthews presented the report detailing the internal arrangements for supporting the equality and diversity agenda and sought Cabinet approval to form a Member-led Strategic Equality and Diversity Group.

There had been numerous developments on the subject of equality and diversity over recent months both at a national level (Wales Programme for Government, Race Equality Action Plan, Local Government and Elections Act) and local level (equality-focused research in DCC’s Local Assessment of Well-being).  Consequently, the Cabinet of the 2017-22 administration recommended establishing a Strategic Equality and Diversity Group to oversee internal arrangements to support and monitor equality and diversity in the current term (2022-27).  Councillor Matthews highlighted the need to promote and embed inclusion to ensure a more equal and fairer Denbighshire and drew attention to the Group’s remit and terms of reference.  The Joint Acting Head of Business Improvement and Modernisation provided further context to the formation of the Group in order to respond to the equality and diversity agenda.

During debate, the Leader advised that equality and diversity was a key theme of the Council to ensure a more equal and diverse Denbighshire, and that the strategy around equality and diversity was an ongoing issue and priority for the Council.  Cabinet acknowledged the work of the previous Council and Cabinet with regard to this issue and the importance of supporting the equality and diversity agenda. Councillor Gill German highlighted steps already taken in terms of gender balance in the Cabinet and diversification within the Council’s Labour Group, and had been pleased to note the wider ongoing work planned to deal with those issues.

The Lead Member, Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, and Acting Joint Head of Business and Improvement responded to members’ questions as follows –

·         elaborated on the former Leader’s ‘Women in Politics’ discussion with all female councillors in November 2021 regarding their experiences of the barriers faced in both standing for election and once elected, with a few to improving the experience.  Links were made to the Welsh Local Government Association’s work around diversity in democracy and the role of both political parties and the authority in removing some of those barriers faced, with further work currently in progress in that regard and upholding a good standard of conduct and discourse

·         there was a commitment to review the Group’s effectiveness after twelve months which would also include responding to changes in legislation that might add a particular subset of protected characteristics, and assurances given that the Council would also respond to any such issues arising in its communities

·         explained the reasoning behind a twelve monthly review to consider the effectiveness of the Group itself and work undertaken, but that any issues coming to the fore during those meetings would be escalated as appropriate

·         clarified that a new process was currently being drafted in terms of member relationships/conduct, as a separate process to the Group, as to how group leaders managed the culture and conduct of members internally.  That draft would be subject to consultation with the wider council membership

·         whilst the focus on the ‘Women in Politics’ discussion had been on female councillors, the equality and diversity agenda was all encompassing and included making Denbighshire fairer and more equal for everyone

·         there were separate processes for dealing with issues such as bullying/harassment and issues between members and/or members and officers.  Whilst the Group would monitor internal culture, it had a much broader role in terms of service delivery and equality and diversity across the board.

The Leader thanked Councillor Ann Davies for sharing her experience of the ‘Women in Politics’ discussion and emphasised that equality and diversity was an ongoing conversation and encouraged everyone to come forward and take part.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes recent developments, and approves the formation of a Member-led Equality and Diversity Group (to be reviewed after 12 months to consider whether the Group needs to cease, alter and/or celebrate achievements).