PARTNERSHIP EQUALITIES MEETING
Note of meeting on 22nd August 2011 in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor, 21 City Square, Dundee
Present: / Merrill Smith / Dundee City Council / (Chair)Evelyn Cairns / Dundee Voluntary Action
Allison Fannin / Dundee CHP
Scott Mands / Dundee City Council
Carole Robertson / Dundee City Council
Apologies / Mark Duncan / Tayside Police
1 / Merrill welcomed everyone and invited introductions. She said the focus of the group would be to add value to what partners are doing currently by identifying gaps and building on strengths.
2 / Existing Engagement Activity
In respect of existing Local Authority engagement activity, Scott confirmed that both the Council's Disability/Age Group and the Faith/Race & Religion Group were meeting regularly with progress being made. He confirmed the supporting process re Gender and Sexual Orientation was being reviewed within Council.
Allison said that NHS Tayside engages with communities as and when required. She confirmed that a dedicated engagement event had been held as a one-off event in respect of Health's Single Equality Scheme.
Evelyn highlighted that Dundee Voluntary Action was currently experiencing re-organisation with activity being re-focused towards outcomes based approaches. It was noted that DVA is also undertaking a census of voluntary organisations. Evelyn said the information is now logged in a database enabling a wider reach into the voluntary sector locally.
In terms of community planning, it was noted that clarity was needed around equality within the strategic theme group processes. Of particular interest was whether targeted engagement was undertaken and how equality issues were feed back to partner organisations. It was noted that the current Single Outcome Agreement had been equality screened.
3 / Engagement for Policy Development
Scott highlighted that although the new equality legislation appeared less prescriptive than previous legislation there was a greater likelihood of a need to focus on outcomes for equality groups. It was noted that Scottish legislation is also likely be different in nature to English equality legislation.
4 / Joined up Approaches
The group agreed that the Hate Incident and Monitoring Process (HIMP), sitting under the Community Safety Strategic Theme Group, is a good example of equality working across community planning. It was noted that Tayside Police are leading the Dundee HIMP group with relevant partners involved in the process.
5 / Considerations re Future Actions
The further development of equality across the Community Planning Partnership was identified as an opportunity. Within this context, it was agreed there is a need to identify equality gaps/needs in the CPP strategic theme groups. The forthcoming new Single Outcome Agreement also presented an opportunity to further embed equality in the CPP process.
It was agreed a broader range of intelligence on issues affecting 'protected characteristic' groups would assist the development of partnership equalities. The opportunity to link equalities with the ongoing partnership work re the local population profiles was highlighted.
There was consensus that up to date information on partners equality, and related, processes would be useful as changes are currently taking place on a ongoing basis within partner organisations. It was acknowledged that this may allow equality to link with other processes and developments not perceived as influencing equalities.
There was consensus in the group that establishing an interface with Dundee Voluntary Action and the wider voluntary sector is an essential component of the future partnership equalities process. The group noted the regular coming together again of the Equalities Forum chaired by DVA.
6 / Future Actions
In drawing things together, Merrill summarised key points arising from the overall group discussion. Within this context, the group noted and agreed the following future actions:-
i) / Co-ordination of knowledge/information to better inform equalities across partner agencies
ii) / Utilise existing partner equality networks, with identified 'gatekeepers', to capitalise on potential joint engagement opportunities
iii) / Ensure an effective interface with the voluntary sector is developed through engagement the DVA and others
iv) / Develop a process that will help identify equality gaps/needs within the community planning process
Action - Carole to follow up on above actions with group members in advance of next meeting
7 / AOCB - Merrill said she was keen that Tayside Fire be reminded about the 'engagement' process and given the opportunity to take part. This view was supported and it was agreed that Merrill would contact Tayside Fire.
Action - Carole to forward contact details & Merrill to follow up with Tayside Fire
8 / DONM - To be confirmed in due course.
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