Notice of Motion by Councillor Lappin - Governmental Failure to Equality-Proof Financial Reductions to Local Authority Finances
To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Lappin:
Governmental Failure to Equality-Proof Financial Reductions to Local Authority Finances
The Council congratulates Unite 567 Community Branch in terms of the work they have done in exposing the potential illegality of Governmental cuts to Local Authority Finances.
In particular, through the use of Freedom of Information requests to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Unite 567 Community Branch have received all Equality Impact Assessments which the Government carry out annually as they reduce local authority finances. Equality Impact Assessments are an integral part of the 2010 Equality Act. However, the Government have not complied with the terms of the Equality Act, as the EIAs carried out, instead of there being one for each Local Authority whose finances have been reduced, the Government have put the onus onto the Local Authority to produce their own. Therefore, the Government could be acting illegally in terms of reductions to Local Authority funding.
This Council believes this issue needs to be given the fullest attention and publicity so therefore supports the efforts in this regard from Unite, TUC, Labour Councils and the Labour Party Front Bench, in order for challenges to be mounted to save Local Government as we know it.
This Council requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the Government conducts full Equality Impact Assessments prior to determining future Local Government Settlements so that it is clear what the effects of austerity will have on local residents.
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor Lappin, seconded by Councillor Moncur and unanimously:
RESOLVED:
Governmental Failure to Equality-Proof Financial Reductions to Local Authority Finances
The Council congratulates Unite 567 Community Branch in terms of the work they have done in exposing the potential illegality of Governmental cuts to Local Authority Finances.
In particular, through the use of Freedom of Information requests to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Unite 567 Community Branch have received all Equality Impact Assessments which the Government carry out annually as they reduce local authority finances. Equality Impact Assessments are an integral part of the 2010 Equality Act. However, the Government has not complied with the terms of the Equality Act, as the EIAs carried out, instead of there being one for each Local Authority whose finances have been reduced, the Government has put the onus onto the Local Authority to produce their own. Therefore, the Government could be acting illegally in terms of reductions to Local Authority funding.
This Council believes this issue needs to be given the fullest attention and publicity so therefore supports the efforts in this regard from Unite, TUC, Labour Councils and the Labour Party Front Bench, in order for challenges to be mounted to save Local Government as we know it.
This Council requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the Government conducts full Equality Impact Assessments prior to determining future Local Government Settlements so that it is clear what the effects of austerity will have on local residents.