Understanding our communities
Commitment 19
Develop cross-council approach to equalities through our Fairer Action Plan
Lead
Corporate Strategy.
Our progress
Our new Fairer Action Plan setting out our cross-council approach to equalities was approved by the Leadership Team on 23 April 2025. The plan has been published on the website and shared with all the community groups that took part in the extensive consultation.
Next steps
We are now focusing on the plan's actions.
Ongoing monitoring of delivery of the actions will be through the Corporate Equalities Board and external monitoring through regular updates to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
When this will happen
A delivery plan for all actions will be published by summer 2025. The first update on progress will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October 2025.
Commitment 20
Review approach to equality impact assessments
Lead
Corporate Strategy
Our progress
Our audit into equalities impact assessments (EQIAs) has concluded and the final report was received in June 2025.
We will review the recommendations and create an action plan for delivery, including a review of the EQIA process and documents. An update will be presented to the Equalities Board in July alongside a delivery plan. We will present an update on this work to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October.
When this will happen
The audit report and recommendations is expected in mid-June 2025. A new draft Equality Impact Assessment, incorporating the audit recommendations, will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October 2025.
Commitment 21
Increase local residents employed by the council
Lead
Human Resources.
Our progress
The percentage of council employees who are borough residents is currently about 8 per cent. We will work towards increasing this by 2 per cent by 2027. This promise has been incorporated into the new Fairer Action Plan, agreed by the Leadership Team in April 2025.
Next steps
We will continue working with the borough's Employment Partnership Group and the Employers’ Forum and the council’s Housing and Employment Service. We want to strengthen connections between major local employers and education providers to increase the number of people working across the borough and within the council.
When this will happen
Our review of our apprenticeship programme and improvement plan to increase local employment is to be complete by summer 2026.
We will implement a review of our inclusive recruitment process by the end of 2026.
Our new careers website was launched in spring 2025.
Our new People Committee to help govern the People Plan and wider work will be launched in September 2025.
Commitment 22
Ensure more routine presence for senior officers in community
Lead
Cross-council
Our progress
Ward-based meetings or surgeries are being arranged across the borough. These will be attended by lead members and senior officers to give people the opportunity to speak with the leaders directly.
Next steps
The format and content of these sessions will be agreed with ward councillors to ensure they reflect the concerns and priorities of residents.
When this will happen
These sessions will take place between mid-July 2025 and early 2026. First session scheduled for 2 July in Colville.
Commitment 23
Review councillor training on resident experiences
Lead
Governance
Our progress
How best to address this question was discussed at the meeting of the cross-party Member Development Steering Group on 15 April 2025, for current and future councillors.
Next steps
We need to review the options for taking this forward. Should this be a classroom-based session or something more interactive? Should it be run in-house or by an external specialist? Should any event be at the Town Hall or a community venue? How should people be involved?
We would welcome comments and input on these questions, which we will also explore with the new Independent Advisory Panel.
When this will happen
Some new initiatives will be in place by autumn 2025, with full review of induction and training by May 2026.