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1 |
Summary |
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1.1 |
This report summarises the content and the discussion held in the Fairness and Dignity Forum held at Basingstoke Fire Station on Wednesday 25 October 2006. |
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2 |
Recommendations |
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2.1 |
That the Human Resources Committee note the contents of the Report. |
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2.2 |
That the Human Resources Committee notes the date and venue of the next meeting which is Thursday 8 February 2007 commencing at 1000 hours at Fareham Fire Station. |
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3 |
Introduction and Background |
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3.1 |
31 people attended the Forum including Fire Authority Members, Fire Service employees and members of Basingstoke and Deane community. Dave Curry welcomed everyone and explained that this Forum was an opportunity to debate topical issues and said that the debate would be run according to the Chatham House Rules. |
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4 |
Guest Speaker |
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4.1 |
Shanti Waas introduced Arvind Devalia, a leading life and performance coach, public speaker and prolific writer. |
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4.2 |
Arvind explained how he had become a life coach and writer. The audience then partook in an interactive exercise scoring their lives on the "wheel of life" followed by discussion on how these scores, and therefore lives, can be improved. |
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5 |
Debate |
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5.1 |
Mr Islam Jalarita,the Basingstoke Black and Ethnic Minority Officer explained that Hijab is an Arabic word meaning a barrier between people and is not actually the correct term for the head scarf or face cover worn by Muslim women. |
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5.2 |
The floor firstly debated whether the right of Muslim women to wear the head scarf/face cover should be respected. Many felt that the face cover was a barrier to communication as in western culture, communication relies on facial expression. A number said they also felt intimidated by women wearing a face cover. Ayat Alhji, a Muslim lady from the Basingstoke community, explained that the head scarf/face cover is worn because of a woman's culture rather than doctrine or faith and is worn out of choice to reduce their attraction . Some of the audience said that when they go to Muslim countries, they abide by that culture and felt that this should be reciprocated but Ayat countered whether it was fair to expect a Muslim woman to remove her veil if it made her feel uncomfortable. Many said they were suspicious of face covers because of the recent bombings in London. |
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5.3 |
How integration can be achieved in British society was discussed. Many believed that demonising groups of people makes them shrink into their own communities and it was agreed that knowledge of cultures and education were the key factors and that better integration would evolve over time. |
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5.4 |
The second issue debated was whether Asian families should provide more encouragement to consider a career in the Fire Service. Arvind explained that the Asian culture is to encourage their children to go to University and study to be Doctors or Lawyers and the Fire Service is not seen as a prestigious career. Ayat said there were no religious barriers to joining the Service but felt that Muslim women would probably not consider becoming a Fire Fighter because of the physical side of the job. It was agreed that having a more diverse workforce will enable the Service to better serve the community and it needs to continue its work in promoting employment within the Fire Service. |
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6 |
Update of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Progress |
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6.1 |
Andy Kettle said that there were a number of equality Legislation changes to the Disability Discrimination Act and advised that the Service was preparing to publish a Disability Equality Scheme by 2 December. In addition, the Service will need to produce and publish a Gender Equality Scheme by April 2007. |
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6.2 |
Andy advised that the Service was currently recruiting Firefighters and 25% of applications had been from women as a result of the DCLG's campaign promoting a career for women in the Fire Service and the Service's own efforts through positive action. It is therefore likely that there will be more women on the Trainees Course being run in January. |
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7 |
Close of Meeting |
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7.1 |
Dave Curry thanked Mr Devalia and all the participants for their attendance and contribution to the discussion. The next meeting will be held on 8 February 2007 at Fareham Fire Station. |
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8 |
Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives |
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8.1 |
The Fairness and Dignity Forum, the discussion held and the issues that the Equality Team are progressing are providing a fundamental contribution to the achievement of the organisations aims and objectives. |
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9 |
Risk Analysis |
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9.1 |
The Fairness and Dignity Forum provides an opportunity for Managers, Frontline Staff and Members to openly debate equalities issues and inform the Equalities Team of the feelings and concerns towards current initiatives and ideas. Equalities is an issue highlighted as part of a broader Corporate risk and the Fairness and Dignity Forum is seen as an important measure in controlling this risk. |
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10 |
Resource Implications |
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10.1 |
There are no direct resource implications from the recommendations of the Report. |
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11 |
Equality Impact Assessment |
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11.1 |
Equality Impact Assessments are carried out on all new initiatives and ideas that may be discussed at the Fairness and Dignity Forum. It was noted at this Forum that members of the Black and Minority Ethnic communities were present and this greatly added to the contents/benefits of the debate. The Equalities Team will therefore continue to seek the involvement of Community Leaders in the Fairness and Dignity Forum. |
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11.2 |
The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. |
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12 |
Consultation |
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12.1 |
Consultation has not been required for the contents of this Report however, the Fairness and Dignity Forum serves as a useful method of consulting a wider audience over development in the areas of Equalities and Diversity. |
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Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972) |
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The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report: "None" Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act. |
