Issue - meetings

To consider the revised Equality Policy.

Councillor Pepper presented the report on the Council’s Equality Policy. She said this would be a “live” document and would be subject to review and change. She proposed adoption of the Equality Policy, as set out in the report.

Councillor Lees seconded the recommendation.

Councillor Khan asked how the Council would make the Policy a “living and breathing” document that would be well understood and followed by the wider public. Furthermore, he asked when the Equality Impact Assessment Tool would be implemented.

The Chief Executive responded and said the Council already had an Equality Impact Assessment in place. The revised tool would be rolled out after all staff had carried out the equalities training. 

Councillor Driscoll said it was a good document but there were a number of grammatical errors that needed to be corrected before final publication of the policy.

In response to a question from Councillor Criscione, Councillor Pepper said the policy was universal and she was positive that it applied to the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities but she would highlight this point with officers for absolute certainty.

The Chair moved to a vote. The recommendation was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED to adopt the amended Uttlesford Equality Policy published in September 2020.

To consider the Revised Equality Policy.

RESOLVED to recommend that Council adopts the amended Uttlesford Equality Policy published in September 2020

Councillor Pepper presented the report on the Council’s revised Equalities Policy. She thanked the Communities team for their great work in producing the policy. She said the Equalities Act of 2010 had established the single public sector duty which ensured no protected group faced discrimination in their place of work. She said the Council’s aim was to ensure that the workforce was representative and compliant with legislation. The policy was “live” and could be updated at anytime, and revisions would need to be applied following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Councillor Lees said she was impressed with the Policy and was encouraged it would change with the times. She thanked Councillor Pepper and the officers for putting forward a comprehensive Policy.

RESOLVED to recommend that Council adopts the amended Uttlesford Equality Policy published in September 2020