Decision details

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR, presented the report which explained that the Council and CCG partnership had, through the leadership of the Strategic Commissioning Board, made a commitment to make significant improvements in our equalities and inclusion practice as both an employer and service provider/commissioner. This commitment was made as part of the leadership role in delivering the Bury 2030 vision and wider organisational transformation.

It was advised that the term inclusion has been intentionally used for this strategy as it incorporates equality, diversity and human rights, and our legal requirements under the Equality Act. Previously the Council and the CCG have used a combination of these terms, so inclusion provides a common term to corral around given this is a joint strategy and encompasses the intent to promote equal access and take up of opportunities; to respect and celebrate diversity; to protect and raise human rights, of all people across the Borough.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq drew attention to the appended delivery plan which set out the work to pursue defined objectives and summary milestones. It was noted the draft version of this strategy had been considered by the Strategic Commissioning Board on 7 December 2020 who had recommended it for approval.

Decision:

That the Joint Inclusion Strategy be approved for implementation.

Reasons for the decision:

An independent review into internal practice was undertaken in summer 2020 and, as a result, the Inclusion Strategy had been co-produced with staff groups; community leaders and senior champions. It set out:

·       The context for this work including the current disparity in outcomes across different communities and how the Bury 2030 vision intends to address this;

·       The general legal equalities duties on the Council and CCG and how these will be met;

·       Organisation-specific inclusion objectives and an action plan initially for delivery to 2022.

Other options considered and rejected:

None.