Combined Executive Agenda 120410.pdf - North Ayrshire Council

Corporate Equality Group
19/3/12
There was a question raised on the availability of a prayer room within the Council’s
premises. It was confirmed that, while there is no specific designated area,
accommodation has been provided in response to such a request in the past.
Noted.
3. Equality Sub Group
Submitted Minutes of the Equality Sub Group Meeting held on 10 January 2012.
Noted.
4. Public Sector Equality Duty: Revised Draft Regulations
The Scottish Government has published its response to the recent consultation on
the Equality Duty Revised Draft Regulations. The response advises that a large
majority of respondents agreed with all aspects of the revised regulations and
provides the Government’s decisions resulting from the consultation.
The final draft Regulations are appended to the response and it is anticipated that
they should come into force in May 2012.
Noted.
5. Equality Impact Assessment
Submitted report on proposed improvements to the equality impact assessment
process. The process is to be simplified and links to service planning and budgeting
are to be strengthened. Some changes to the timetable for undertaking assessments
were suggested.
The Group agreed that a report on the revised proposals be submitted to the
Corporate Management Team (CMT).
6. Equality E Learning Course
Submitted report on an e-learning course on Equality and Diversity. A previous
analysis of equality training attended by managers showed that although a high
proportion had undertaken a one day Equalities for Managers course, there were still
a number of managers who required to undertake the training.
E-learning was considered to be the most cost-effective means of delivering the
training. An e-learning training programme has therefore been developed and has
been piloted by the Corporate Equality Group. Positive feedback has been received
and a number of changes have been made to the course in response to the
feedback.
It is proposed that the course be launched in May 2102 and that it be mandatory for
managers, with a view to it being more widely available to all employees in 2013.
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