Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager on the Single Equality Scheme and Equality Objectives.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Head of People, Performance and Waste and the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager on the Single Equalities Scheme and Equality objectives.

The Cabinet Member for People and Development and Deputy Leader outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to the following:

• The Equality Objectives for 2025/26 were arranged by six themes, and proposed measurement was provided in parentheses. They had been discussed by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group and reviewed by Leadership Team.
• Progress to meet the Council’s Equality Objectives would continue to be monitored by the EDI Group and be reported annually to the Community, People and Equalities PDG. Progress to meet the Council’s Equality Objectives in 2024/25 was detailed at Appendix 2.

Discussion took place with regards to:

• Adjusting the equality objective relating to financial drop in sessions for tenants to an annual cost of living event, how would the Council encourage the engagement for this?
• There was currently no impact on climate change but things may need to be considered in the future.
• Concerns around the 4.74% of Mid Devon housing reporting of damp and mould.
• The issues with damp and mould was to do with ventilation.
• To be clearer on the young carers discounts for leisure services.

RESOLVED that:

• The Single Equality Scheme together with the Equality Objectives for 2025/26 as recommended by the Community, People and Equalities Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr J Lock and Seconded by Cllr G Duchesne)

Reason for Decision:

The Single Equality Scheme contributed to the Council complying with the Equality Act (2010). Failure to adopt Equality Objectives or to collect relevant data could lead to the Council being in breach of the Equality Act 2010.

Note: *Report previously circulated.