Proposer: Cllr Emma Roberts
Seconder: Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere
This Council notes: that the Socio-Economic Duty (Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010) (6) requires public bodies to adopt transparent and effective measures to address the inequalities that result from differences in occupation, education, place of residence or social class.?While the Duty has been enacted in Scotland and Wales. The United Nations has criticised the UK government for failing to activate the Duty since 2010.
That authorities in Newcastle, Southwark, Stroud and North of Tyne have signed up and Councils including in Sheffield, Preston, Glasgow, Wigan, York, Bristol & Manchester are taking action due to cutbacks and financial struggles affecting their residents. In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis it is essential now more than ever that this Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy is directly linked with any decisions this Council makes. The socio-economic duty is a central element that localities seeking to address poverty should adopt.
The work done to create an Anti-Poverty Strategy for West Northamptonshire Council and the work done so far drawing upon good practice examples from other towns and cities and the consultation with diverse local community groups, unions, and our partners in the voluntary and community sector. The work of the Anti-Poverty Oversight Group is acknowledged. A key factor for all concerned in the creation of the strategy was that this Council would "sense check" all decisions made against this strategy. This is not at present being consistently applied.
Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 asks public bodies to consider how their decisions and policies could increase or decrease inequality that results from socio-economic disadvantage. Voluntarily adopting the duty will complement the anti-poverty strategy, inclusive economy, and equalities approaches as well as strengthening our sustainability commitments.
This Council resolves to:
Formally adopt the Socio-Economic Duty
‘Poverty-check’ decisions and policies for socio-economic impact, and how this interacts with other types of inequalities (protected characteristics e.g., race, disability, sex) including within EIAs (Equality Impact Assessments) and include anti-poverty impact assessments in all WNC reports.
Minutes:
Councillor Roberts proposed and Councillor Holland-Delamere seconded:
“This Council notes: that the Socio-Economic Duty (Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010) (6) requires public bodies to adopt transparent and effective measures to address the inequalities that result from differences in occupation, education, place of residence or social class. While the Duty has been enacted in Scotland and Wales. The United Nations has criticised the UK government for failing to activate the Duty since 2010.
That authorities in Newcastle, Southwark, Stroud and North of Tyne have signed up and Councils including in Sheffield, Preston, Glasgow, Wigan, York, Bristol & Manchester are taking action due to cutbacks and financial struggles affecting their residents. In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis it is essential now more than ever that this Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy is directly linked with any decisions this Council makes. The socio-economic duty is a central element that localities seeking to address poverty should adopt.
The work done to create an Anti-Poverty Strategy for West Northamptonshire Council and the work done so far drawing upon good practice examples from other towns and cities and the consultation with diverse local community groups, unions, and our partners in the voluntary and community sector. The work of the Anti-Poverty Oversight Group is acknowledged. A key factor for all concerned in the creation of the strategy was that this Council would "sense check" all decisions made against this strategy. This is not at present being consistently applied.
Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 asks public bodies to consider how their decisions and policies could increase or decrease inequality that results from socio-economic disadvantage. Voluntarily adopting the duty will complement the anti-poverty strategy, inclusive economy, and equalities approaches as well as strengthening our sustainability commitments.
This Council resolves to:
Formally adopt the Socio-Economic Duty
‘Poverty-check’ decisions and policies for socio-economic impact, and how this interacts with other types of inequalities (protected characteristics e.g., race, disability, sex) including within EIAs (Equality Impact Assessments) and include anti-poverty impact assessments in all WNC reports.”
Council debated the motion and made the following comments:
· Much was already ongoing to tackle socioeconomic inequality and the Anti-Poverty Working Group should be proud of the work it had undertaken so far. It had worked on over 100 actions, including monitoring of the Hardship Fund, Warm Welcoming Spaces, and was looking to see how peoples needs could be met during the summer.
· Adopting the Socio-Economic Duty would further help to understand the issues people in West Northamptonshire faced.
· The Council could and should do more to put the ambitions of the Anti-Poverty Strategy to use. The UK was one of the most socioeconomically unequal countries in the developed world, and any measure to reduce and equalise that should be welcomed.
· Reports were missing properly published equalities impact assessments; different demographics were impacted differently, and comprehensive equality impact assessments would show patterns of inequality.
· This was a missed opportunity - the administration could have made an amendment to the motion so that it was accepted by the Chamber.
· It was suggested that the administration did not want to hold itself to account.
· Over-regulation of every activity risked having ineffective policies.
· Progress made was not across the board and some decisions were working against communities’ ability to thrive. All parts of the organisation needed to be working effectively, not in silos.
· Any policy could not be at its best if it did not consider inequality. There was concern that equality/community impact assessments and socioeconomic reviews would not appear in council reports.
Upon requisition of a vote, the motion fell.