Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/DisclosuresofInterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2016 be agreed as correct record.

Sherill Hopkins and Phil Couch, Equalities Policy Development Officers provided presentations regarding Equality Update and Welsh Language Standards respectively.

Phil Couch provided a detailed and informative update regarding the Welsh Language Standards.  He outlined the following: -

·         Welsh Language (Wales) Measure (2011)

·         The old system containing Welsh Language Schemes compared to the new Welsh Language Standards and potential costs for failure to comply

·         Timetable, including regulations, compliance notice and implementation dates

·         Principles of the Standards

·         The actual Standards

·         Progress

·         Complaints

·         Issues

·         Concerns

·         The future

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.  Discussions took place in relation to the different requirements of staff and public consultation; overall use / visibility of the Welsh language since the introduction of the Standards; areas of concern within the Authority and how these were being addressed.

Sherill Hopkins provided a detailed and informative Equality Update presentation.   She outlined the following: -

·         Strategic Equality Plan

·         Equality and Diversity Review Report

·         Equality Impact Assessments

·         Equality Engagement

·         Looking ahead……

·         Equality Update

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.   Discussions took place in relation to equality / fairness in the decision making process; Equality Impact Assessments; and good equality practice being undertaken within the Authority.

The Chair thanked the Officers for their presentations.

RESOLVED that: -

1)    The contents of the presentation be noted;

2)      Update reports be provided to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Chair informed the Committee that the Cabinet Members for Environment & Transport and Transformation & Performance had been written to regarding the views of the Committee in respect of Agency Workers and a response was awaited.

The Chair presented an updated Work Programme 2016-2017.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.