Agenda item - Workforce Equalities Report 2015/16

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the contents of the Workforce Equalities Report for 2015/16.

62.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources in relation to Workforce Equalities Report 2015/16. The purpose of this report was to provide Members with an overview of the findings following an analysis of the Council’s workforce and other aspects of employment in relation to the following protected characteristics: ethnicity; disability; sex; sexual orientation; age and religion or belief. This report, which would be published on the external website, ensured compliance with the Council’s statutory obligations.

62.2         Councillor Daniel highlighted that there was lots of positive news in the report, and felt the Committee should focus on the improvements that had been made. She noted that there were issues in relation to development and progression, and the organisation could be losing people that were otherwise capable of performing in more senior positions. Work needed to accelerate in relation to the shape of the organisation, and there was an important role for middle manager to steer this. The Trade Unions had highlighted that the Council needed to perform better in relation to mental health. The report also highlighted that options for staff to use occupational health services needed to be better communicated and advertised; however, the improved quality of the data allowed for a more robust action plan.

62.3         Councillor Janio welcomed the report and the continued development of the Council’s workforce. He highlighted that the majority of the trends were in a positive direction.

62.4         The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

62.5         RESOLVED – That the Committee note the contents of the Workforce Equalities Report for 2015/16.