THE EQUALITY STANDARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1. The Cabinet has received a detailed report on progress since the County Council adopted the Equality Standard for Local Government and published the Corporate Equality Plan and Race Equality Scheme in May 2002. Whilst progress has been fairly encouraging, the Cabinet acknowledges fully the comment in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment report that "with respect to equalities, the Council has some way to go to meet its aspirations .... a newly agreed equalities policy is yet to be fully embedded and effective". Accordingly, it has approved a programme of progression through the levels of the Equality Standard and requested regular reports back on progress. In doing so, the Cabinet has been particularly keen to emphasise the key role of Councillors in all aspects of the implementation of the Equality Plan and Race Scheme and has requested the Equality and Diversity Adviser to give detailed presentations to the respective Policy Review Committees on the topic. Furthermore, the Cabinet has ruled that Members who have not undergone appropriate training in respect of their role and duties in connection with the Equality Plan and Race Scheme will not be considered for membership of interviewing panels.

T.K. THORNBER, CBE

Leader

5nR240803