Agenda item

To consider the interim report and recommendations of the Committee’s review into Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the recommendations from the interim report. Members suggested changes to some of the wording and additions to the report as below:

Recommendation 1 - 4.2 ‘Support needs to be offered for the succession of the voluntary roles in the Community’, should be added to the report.

Recommendation 3  - 4.4 Wording of the recommendation should be changed to ‘The voices and lived experience of the trans community are invited into the discussions and at events to help combat misconceptions and hatred’

Recommendation 4 – 4.5 It was suggested that this recommendation extend to include the local shopping areas around the town, not just the town centre.

Recommendation 5 – 4.6 The issue of digital exclusion needs to be acknowledged and describe ways it has put mitigations in place.

Recommendation 6 – 4.7 Add in to the recommendation to take forward Age Concerns offer of developing the scheme of mobility scooter hire at the Bus Interchange.

Recommendation 9 – 4.10 Members wanted something included in this recommendation about the Bus Interchange and how it could be improved to aid individuals with sight loss. It was suggested that better signage be introduced in and around the Interchange and the screens be potentially lowered and resolution improved.

Discussion took place around some of the issues in and around the Bus Interchange such as poor lighting in certain areas, and uneven pavements.

Member asked if audio announcements could also be added, e.g. when a bus is about to leave. The Scrutiny Officer explained that they would take the point away to be investigated by officers and the portfolio holder.

 A question was raised about the recommendations being generalised and the officer confirmed that they are worded this way to give flexibility and avoid being too prescriptive.

The officer noted that the LGBTQ+ community were really encouraged with how they were included in local events such as Stevenage Day, having a Pride focus there, and the rainbow bench in Shephall.

Members asked why the scope of recommendation 4 only included the Town Centre and not the whole of the town. Members suggested that Councillors within each ward should be encouraged to investigate putting some accessible age friendly benches using their Local Community Budgets.

It was raised by Members that Digital Exclusion is not just an accessibility thing, does not just affect older people, and that recommendation 5 is not strong enough. SBC need to produce solutions on how to combat the problem as part of the recommendation.

Members referenced a piece of land in Manor Ward that has been restricted for sport purposes only and is not being utilised to the fullest. Officers agreed to take this point on board and provide an update on what is happening with the land and how its managed.

A question was raised on recommendation 8 about whether it was funding or support that was needed to support the external bodies like Mind In Herts. The officer clarified that they wanted better support and collaboration from SBC.

After the discussion on changes to recommendations were concluded, the Scrutiny Officer agreed to draft new wording around the revised recommendations and circulate them to the committee. Once members were happy with the revisions, a completed final report and recommendations would then be sent to the portfolio holder and the officers supporting those recommendations.