Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the progress made over the past 12 months towards achieving the equalities objectives and outcomes set out in the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022/25.

2.    Note the next steps outlined within the Equalities Annual Report and action plan for 2024/25.

Consideration was given to the report which highlighted the progress made over the past year towards achieving the equalities objectives and outcomes set out in the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2022/25. Publishing the annual report formed part of the Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty.

The report also detailed the 2024/25 action plan which provided a forward look aligned to the Year Ahead Delivery Plan actions that would deliver Equality, Diversity and Inclusion outcomes. In addition, there were actions within the plan that would help deliver outcomes on the journey towards ‘excellent’ under the Equality Framework for Local Government. These were outlined in paragraph 2.9 of the report and Appendix 2.

The EDI Annual Report (attached as Appendix 1) was structured around the

four objectives of the Council’s Strategy. Against each of these themes the

report also provided a summary of some of the activity undertaken relative to

the requirements of the Equality Framework for Local Government. The four themes of the EDI Strategy and annual report were:

• Understanding, Listening to, and Working with Rotherham’s Communities.
• Providing Leadership and Organisational Commitment to Actively Promote Equalities.
• Delivering Accessible and Responsive Services that Meet Diverse Needs.
• Ensuring a diverse and engaged workforce.

Key achievements in 2023/24 around the four themes were highlighted in paragraph 2.4 of the report. Paragraph 2.5 of the report highlighted real life experiences and learning from the past year.

It was noted that as part of their manifesto that was published prior to the

General Election, the Government committed to enacting the socio-economic

duty in the Equality Act. This duty required public bodies to adopt

transparent and effective measures to address the inequalities that resulted

from differences in socio-economic status. Subject to the successful completion of the legislative process to enact this duty, the EDI action plan

would be revised accordingly to ensure that this was an integrated part of the

Council’s activity. Given the nature of its vision and objectives, the Council

Plan and the relevant elements of the Year Ahead Delivery Plan appeared to provide a strong starting point for this due to its focus on inclusion.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the progress made over the past 12 months towards achieving the equalities objectives and outcomes set out in the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022/25.
   
   
2. Note the next steps outlined within the Equalities Annual Report and action plan for 2024/25.