Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader, Councillor Rowena Hay

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy 2026, attached as Appendix 3 is approved.

2.    authority is delegated to the Director of Governance, Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Leader, to make any minor amendments to the policy as required following implementation.

The Leader introduced her report, saying we all understand the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and the new policy aims to ensure CBC is fair, welcoming and inclusive of everyone.  She said the council interacts with thousands of people every year, and we want to reflect the town’s diverse and changing population, with a clear and positive commitment to fairness, respect and equal access.  The policy goes further than the minimum required, paying closer attention to how low income affects people’s ability to use our services, and reinforces the expectation that everyone interacting with the council will be treated with dignity and respect.

She said the policy sets out clearer responsibilities for each service area, and has been informed by feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, not only to be compliant but also proactive and compassionate, and also to confirm that we are always ready to listen, learn and adapt.  The clear framework is a foundation for the future, not the end of the journey.

A Member welcomed the policy, which highlights the importance of living with difference, and was pleased with the inclusion of the useful glossary of terms at the back.

In response to his suggestion that the policy could save public money, the Leader suggested that implementing the policy as laid out will potentially save people from needing to access further advice which would have a cost.  She did not consider this to be a main policy objective, however.   

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy 2026, attached as Appendix 3 is approved.

2.    authority is delegated to the Director of Governance, Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Leader, to make any minor amendments to the policy as required following implementation.