Decision details

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Resources seeking approval of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Statement of Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report).  The report set out the purpose of the policy and Members were advised the importance of having an agreed EDI Policy to ensure the Council’s legal duties were met, responsibilities were understood and goals on EDI aligned with the Corporate Plan.

The Director of Resources presented the report and highlighted the suggestion that a Member of the Committee be appointed to join the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer Working Group (the Working Group).

The Chairman referred to the excellent policy and proposed the recommendations as set out in the report.  These were duly seconded.  The Chairman then sought nominations for the Committee’s representative on the Working Group.

Councillor Mrs M E Thompson proposed that Councillor Mrs P A Channer be appointed to the Working Group and outlined some of the benefits Councillor Mrs Channer would bring.  This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor C Swain then proposed that Councillor R H Siddall be appointed to the Working Group and outlined the benefits he would bring.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor Mrs P A Channer requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded.  Councillors Mrs Channer clarified that her request for a recorded vote related to the appointment to the Working Group only.

Upon the assent of the Committee, the Chairman advised that recommendation (i) as set out in the report was agreed.

The Chairman put to the Committee the proposal for Councillor Mrs Channer to be the Committee’s representative on the Working Group.  In accordance to the request for a recorded vote, the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, K W Jarvis, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M R Edwards, K H M Lagan, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall and
C Swain.

Abstention:

There were none.

There being an equality of votes the Chairman used his casting vote against the proposal.

The motion was therefore declared lost.

The Chairman then put to the Committee the proposal for himself (Councillor Siddall) to be the Committee’s representative on the Working Group.  In accordance to the request for a recorded vote, the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M R Edwards, K H M Lagan, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall and C Swain.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Abstention:

Councillor K W Jarvis.

The motion was therefore agreed.

Councillor Mrs Channer requested it be Minutes that she did not agree with the decision or advice of the Director in respect of this item of business. [1]

RESOLVED

(i)        That the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted;

(ii)       That Councillor R H Siddall be nominated to join the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer Working Group.