Havering
Agenda/Speakers:
8. OTHER BUSINESS – If approved under item 3 above.
9. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
If the sub-committee wishes to consider the remaining item
in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the
following terms:-“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972
the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of
business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt
information as defined under paragraphs 1-7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the
Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the
public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing
the information.”
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. MINUTES
To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Equalities Sub-Committee held on 24 August 2020.
3. NOTICE OF OTHER BUSINESS
Items of other business notified under Council Procedure
Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify
their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chairman to rule on the
admission of such items.
4. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
To receive any declarations of interest.
5. PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION CONSULTATION RESULTS
Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership set an objective
to investigate the experiences of our communities, to understand how people
have been affected by prejudice and discrimination, the impact this has on an
individual and the resulting community needs.
The insight gleaned will guide work with partners, to tackle
discrimination and prejudice. This survey looked particularly at the 9
protected characteristics, but was also interested to understand any challenges
or experiences of any other marginalised group. This report provides a summary
of the survey, outcomes and recommendations.
6. EQUALITIES SUB-COMMITTEE WORKPLAN 2021
The sub-committee will receive an updated work plan for
consideration
7. MOTIONS UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 11
At the Council meeting on 20 October 2020 it was agreed that
the following motions would be referred to the Equalities sub-committee. The following motions will be taken
individually in the order provided. All
the proposers and seconders of the motions have been invited to the meeting to
present their motion under new Rule 11(11).
-07-20-11-30-equalities-sub-committee-motions-report
accessible-toilet-sign-design (annex for
Motion 2)Motion 1 - Councillor Sara Bedford and seconded by
Councillor Phil Williams to move under Notice duly given as follows:Supporting Trans and Non-Binary PeopleCouncil notes that Trans people face significant
disadvantage in society. One in four Trans people report being discriminated
against in work, over a third avoid expressing their gender through physical
appearance in fear of being assaulted or harassed, and almost 50% of Trans
people have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. (see
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/sites/default/files/trans_stats.pdf) Council believes that:
a) Trans men are men,
Trans women are women, and that non-binary genders are valid.
b) Trans people
deserve respect and autonomy
c) Transphobia has a
hugely detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of trans
individuals
d) It is our duty as
community leaders who seek to create an open and tolerant society to speak out
against transphobia and make clear it will not be tolerated.2. Council therefore
resolves to:a) Ensure that all
Council services, both directly provided and through partners, are fully
accessible to all, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.b) Work to provide at
least one gender neutral toilet where possible in every public building owned
or operated by the Council, and encourage partners to do likewise.c) Ensure that the
Council’s constitution, policies, forms, and all internal and external
communications are gender neutral.
d) Create a network
of informal LGBT allies across officers and councillors to support all members
of the LGBT communities.Motion 2 - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst to propose,
seconded by Councillor Chris Lloyd to move under Notice duly given as follows:Not every Disability is VisibleThis Council notes that:The charity Crohn's and Colitis UK is encouraging venues
providing accessible public toilets to install new signage. This is to help
stop stigma and discrimination towards people with invisible illnesses such as
Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.There have been instances nationally where such individuals
using an accessible toilet have been accused by others of being ineligible to
use them.These signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user
with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo.
Not every disability is visible. The Government has decided recently
that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people known as Changing
Places will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping
centres supermarkets, sports and arts venues, in England from 2021.Council resolves to:Ensure that accessible toilets on Council premises bear
these signs.Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets
to do likewise with their accessible public toilets.Seek advice from the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK on the
information and training we should provide to Council Staff members. This is so they understand these illnesses
and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them.Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are
properly signposted for visitors.Ensure that the any legal requirement to provide new
Changing Place toilets is included within any of the Council's future plans.Motion 3 - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, seconded by
Councillor Sarah Nelmes to move under Notice duly given as follows: This Council is appalled by the evidence of racism and
discrimination that have blighted the lives of so many in the UK and concerned
by the evidence of the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having
on BAME communities. The Council during Black History Month and at time where
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities globally are expressing
their anger and frustration with institutional racism which disproportionately
affects them, takes this opportunity to restate our condemnation of racism,
discrimination and hatred in all its forms. This Council reaffirms its underlying our values of equality
and inclusion. Recent events have highlighted once again the sad truth that
discrimination and racism still looms large, particularly against members of
the black community both abroad and at home in the UK. Council restates its determination to condemn racism where
we see it but also to develop and maintain a proactive anti-racist approach
across the council. Part of this is acknowledging the hard truth that there are
inequalities within our organisation and our communities. These inequalities
can only begin to be fixed by speaking to and understanding members of our
workforce and our residents who have been disadvantaged because of their
ethnicity. Council acknowledges that, alongside the threat of overt
racism, there exists deeply ingrained and often unconscious discrimination
across all levels of society. As a council representing a diverse community, we
have an important role to play in dismantling biases and systemic oppression. As an organisation we endeavour to make Three Rivers and
Hertfordshire a safe and inclusive place of opportunity for all of our
residents. Three Rivers District Council remains committed to doing our part to
achieve this and play our part in the hard task of removing racism and
discrimination from our society. Council therefore:Endorses this approach, calling out racism as an evil that
has no place in the Council’s workplaces;Supports the holding of a Q&A event for the Council’s
BAME staff with senior leaders to understand their concerns and required
actions;Affirms its commitment to condemn racism, discrimination and
hatred in all its forms.
8. OTHER BUSINESS – If approved under item 3 above.
9. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
If the sub-committee wishes to consider the remaining item
in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the
following terms:-“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972
the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of
business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt
information as defined under paragraphs 1-7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the
Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the
public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing
the information.”