Agenda item
Single Equality Framework 2010/11 (CAB 014/101)
Decision:
Resolved
That the Single Equality Framework 2009/10, set out in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 014/101), be approved.
Action by:
ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE – LEGAL SERVICES (I. FREEMAN)
Joint Acting Service Head, Scrutiny and Equalities, Chief Executive’s (F. Jones & H. Ali)
Minutes:
Ms Freeman, Assistant Chief Executive – Legal Services, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report:
· Summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:
· That the proposed Single Equality Framework (SEF) would form the Authority’s new Corporate Strategy for promoting diversity and equality, and would assist in achieving the vision within the Community Plan of One Tower Hamlets: prioritising equality outcomes requiring strategic intervention and assuring delivery capacity.
· That the Equality Act 2010 was not yet in force but imposed new duties on the Authority, recognising the need to address inequality in a more integrated way. The Equality Framework for Local Government replaced the Equality Standard in 2009, providing a basis to assess the understanding and response to the profile of inequality in their area. The SEF drew together equalities work across the Council including actions necessary to maintain the highest level of the Equality Framework and also responded to the requirements of the Act.
· The mapping of inequality across the equality strands, set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report to identify persistent and systemic inequality requiring a holistic response, and the Action Plan to strengthen the Authority’s capacity to tackle inequality set out at page 15 of the SEF appended to the report.
· The award in January 2010 of ‘excellent’ status to the Authority in its assessment against the Equality Framework for Local Government, was a strong indication that it had the right approach to understanding and responding to inequality.
· Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 6th July 2010, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings:
A discussion followed, during which the proposals in the report were broadly welcomed, and which focused on the following points:-
· Commented that although activities being undertaken across the equality strands had been outlined, it was important to communicate the commitment of the Cabinet, and Administration in general, to tackle homophobic bullying in schools.
· Noted that the Single Equality Framework sat above the individual equality schemes and the Authority had been judged to be ‘excellent’ against this, not only for its equality schemes but also its understanding and mainstreaming of equalities in all the activities it undertook.
· Commented that the SEF had two main purposes: firstly to build capacity to incorporate equalities into the work of the Tower Hamlets Partnership and the Council in particular; secondly to build understanding of equalities considerations around particular issues in order to effectively inform intervention. A strategic decision had been made to focus on two areas in this regard: reducing the level of unemployment/ worklessness amongst Bangladeshi and Somail residents and women in particular and also the dignity of older people with particular reference to personal care.
· Emphasised the importance of tackling the use of homophobic language in any initiative to reduce homophobic bullying and bullying in the borough generally. The importance of this to children was highlighted in a scrutiny challenge session in 2009. The importance of engaging young people in communicating the anti-bullying message to their peers was also noted. Clarification/ assurance was given by the Lead Member Children’s Services and Acting Corporate Director Children Schools and Families that this phenomena was treated very seriously and consequently much work was underway in schools and the youth service often in partnership with the voluntary sector. Clarification was also sought and given as to how the Authority ensured that schools which were excellent in this field maintained performance and best practice was disseminated.
· Clarification/ assurance was sought and given as to whether Officers would be undertaking Equality Impact Assessments in the context of Council benefits being frozen, and cuts being made in disability and housing benefit which would impact on the poorest elements of the community. The Lead Member Health and Wellbeing responded that a Members Equality Group had been re-established with a remit to examine the impact of public sector spending cuts (both by Government and locally) and the economic situation on the residents of Tower Hamlets, look at what the Council could do to minimise these effects and ensure that equalities considerations were taken into account in the Council’s decision making and remained at the heart of its activities.
· Clarification/ assurance was sought and given as to whether the promotion of community cohesion and the celebration of diversity would be linked to activities for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Consideration also that the Olympic Ambassador for the Borough needed to be used more effectively in this regard.
The Chair in Moving the recommendations, as set out in the report, endorsed the comments of Cabinet members during the discussion that the Authority took equalities issues very seriously and pride could be taken in its track record in this area. However it was not complacent, and constantly reviewed its approach in striving to improve further, and above all ensure that all residents young or old and regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion/belief disability or gender had the opportunity to access quality services. And it was: -
Resolved
That the Single Equality Framework 2009/10, set out in Appendix 1 to the report (CAB 014/101), be approved.
Supporting documents:
- Single Equality Fwork Final CAB 070710, item 10.1 PDF 147 KB
- Single Equality Fwork Appx, item 10.1 PDF 137 KB