Archived decisions

BV2(b) The duty to promote race equality.

Please enter 1 point in column D against each of the items to which you can say 'yes'.

1.

Does the authority have a Race Equality Scheme (RES) in place?

1

Does the RES:

a.

list the functions and policies that are relevant to the general duty?

1

b.

consist of a strategy, which addresses the general duty and each of the specific duties?

1

c.

contain clear priorities, targets and outcomes in order to fulfil the general and specific duties?

1

Is the RES

d.

supported by a timetabled, three-year action plan?

1

e.

clearly integrated in all corporate and service level plans and strategies?

1

f.

clearly integrated in procurement and partnership strategies and policies and best value reviews?

1

g.

actively communicated to members of the public and to staff?

1

h.

reviewed regularly by the authority?

1

i.

owned by Council members and senior officers who share responsibility for ensuring outcomes are met and are involved in

1

reviews of the scheme?

2.

Are there continuing improvements for race equality from application of the RES? ^{a b}

Is there evidence of measurable improvements in respect of:

j.

the representation in the workforce at all levels of the range of ethnic groups in the local area and relevant labour markets.

1

k.

improving staff perceptions of equal opportunities for all ethnic groups and reducing any differences?

1

l.

widening the ethnic profile of service users having regard to need and relative to the local population?

m.

improving satisfaction rates among service users of all ethnic groups and reducing any differences?

n.

reducing number of complaints from service users of all ethnic groups and reducing any differences?

o.

providing services that meet the needs of all ethnic groups in the communities the authority service?

1

p.

improving service outcomes for all ethnic groups and reducing any differences?

1

q.

increasing confidence in reporting racial incidents.

r.

increasing satisfaction in the way racial incidents resulting in further action are handled.

14

73.68

Authorities are to `score' one point for each of the above items to which they can say `yes'.

The item score should then be expressed as a % for reporting against the PI.

^a This part of the indicator is about procedures, processes and outcomes not just setting and achieving targets. It applies equally to all rural and urban authorities irrespective of the number and proportion of BME people in the local population, and how much work the authority has done to date in this area. Authorities must be able to show that there are procedures in place to measure all the information required from (j) to (r) and to carry out sound analysis and make necessary changes. For authorities starting out, initial years may be about identifying ethnic differences and putting procedures in place for addressing this. By year three, at least there should be concrete results. For some authorities that already have baseline data, they will be in a position to measure improvements in year one. However low the BME population, the process and analysis must be clearly operational. Whatever the current state of an authority, in order to meet the different parts of the indicator, year on year improvement is necessary. For some, this will be statistical improvement, for others evidence that progress and methods have improved.

Target setting: Local

Scope: Metropolitan Authorities, London Boroughs, Unitary Authorities, County Councils, District Councils, Council of the Isle of Scilly, Common Council of the City of London, National Parks Authorities, National Broad Authority, Greater London Authority, Passenger Transport Authorities, TfL, London Development Agency, Fire Authorities in England and Wales.

^b This is not part of the guidance issued; however Fire and Rescue Services will wish to note that this is not one of the 19 questions.