Agenda item

The following motion (minus Item 4 which was referred to the Scrutiny Committee) has been passed to the Standards Committee from Council for consideration and report.

Council resolves to:

1. Practice equality, fairness and inclusion, and to play its part in creating an equal society for all. There is no place for sexism, racism, bigotry, discrimination or intolerance of any form in our society.

2. Acknowledge that language is a powerful tool for change and inspiration, as well as ignorance, oppression and damaged relationships, and should be used thoughtfully and respectfully. Many people who do not have a voice in the public domain have to suffer the consequences of inaccurate or insulting language.

3. Review and, if needed, update member training, to equip all members with the language and tools needed to actively promote diversity and inclusivity.

5. Ask that the Chairs of the Equality Forum and Community PDG identify and discuss approaches to reaching hard-to-reach communities in Mid Devon.

6. Show leadership by creating a diversity and inclusion strategy, and seek input from residents and local organisations that have expertise, to ensure the council is inclusive towards diverse and hard-to-reach communities in its recruitment, member representation and service provision. As part of this, review and update the MDDC equalities policy. 

7. Explore further opportunities to increase inclusivity, diversity and representation in Mid Devon District Council, including but not limited to amongst women, minority ethnic communities, young people, and carers.

(1)   The Fawcett Society and Local Government Information Unit report, ‘Does Local Government Work for Women?’ found that structural and cultural barriers hold back women’s participation in local government. The practices and protocols of local government create unnecessary barriers to participation particularly for women with caring responsibilities. https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/does-local-government-work-for-women-final-report-of-the-local-government-commission

The following motion (minus Item 4 which was referred to the Scrutiny Committee) had been passed to the Standards Committee from Council for consideration and report.

Council resolves to:

1. Practice equality, fairness and inclusion, and to play its part in creating an equal society for all. There is no place for sexism, racism, bigotry, discrimination or intolerance of any form in our society.

2. Acknowledge that language is a powerful tool for change and inspiration, as well as ignorance, oppression and damaged relationships, and should be used thoughtfully and respectfully. Many people who do not have a voice in the public domain have to suffer the consequences of inaccurate or insulting language.

3. Review and, if needed, update member training, to equip all members with the language and tools needed to actively promote diversity and inclusivity.

5. Ask that the Chairs of the Equality Forum and Community PDG identify and discuss approaches to reaching hard-to-reach communities in Mid Devon.

6. Show leadership by creating a diversity and inclusion strategy, and seek input from residents and local organisations that have expertise, to ensure the council is inclusive towards diverse and hard-to-reach communities in its recruitment, member representation and service provision. As part of this, review and update the MDDC equalities policy. 

7. Explore further opportunities to increase inclusivity, diversity and representation in Mid Devon District Council, including but not limited to amongst women, minority ethnic communities, young people, and carers.

(1)   The Fawcett Society and Local Government Information Unit report, ‘Does Local Government Work for Women?’ found that structural and cultural barriers hold back women’s participation in local government. The practices and protocols of local government create unnecessary barriers to participation particularly for women with caring responsibilities. https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/does-local-government-work-for-women-final-report-of-the-local-government-commission

Cllr Miss E Wainwright was invited to address the committee.  She outlined the reasons for bringing the motion to Council and following discussions with the Equality Forum and other members, she wanted to explore how Mid Devon could be more open, accountable and inclusive and had suggested ways to progress this within the motion.

Cllr Miss J Norton was also invited to address the committee; she stated that there was a need to listen to each other and create a culture and that the main goal was to work together as a Council and that no accusations were being made.

Consideration was given to:

·         What was meant by hard to reach communities and whether the Council was going everything it could to reach those people

·         Whether the motion had been inspired by a national campaign or a local experience and if this was a local experience whether some of the issues raised had been reported

·         How the Council could not influence who stood for election but that local residents could be encouraged to attend through conversation groups and asset based community development

·         How behaviours could be outlined within the Code of Conduct

·         Under (3) staff should be included in diversity training

·         A request to include all of the Equality Forum and Community Policy Development Group and not just the chairmen.

·         The fact that the Equalities Policy was reviewed annually

·         How the Council addressed female members and whether that was seen as equal

·         How the motion could be implemented

·         Whether the motion was necessary as it was felt by some that although well intentioned most of this was taking place

·         The need for a re-run of the equality training to be arranged

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

a)    Motion 564 (1-3 and 5-7) be supported; and

b)    In addition, that point (3) of the motion should include members and officers and the review should include all Council conventions and that in relation to point (5) the Equality Forum and the Community Policy Development Group should be consulted as a whole and not just the Chairs.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt and seconded by Cllr L D Taylor)

Note: Tables of policies previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.