Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director - Place

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director – Place recommending the adoption of the Socioeconomic Duty in Sefton, for incorporation within the Council’s Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and action plan, and the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment processes. The report set out the background to the matter; details of the Socioeconomic Duty and what adopting the duty would mean in practice; together with next steps.

Decisions Made:

That

(1)           the continued challenges faced by many Sefton residents during the difficult economic period and the ongoing cost of living crisis be noted, and support for the most vulnerable residents and communities be continued;

(2)           the Socioeconomic Duty be adopted, for incorporation into the Council’s ongoing work and processes relating to Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion;

(3)           socioeconomic disadvantage be taken into account in terms of the Council’s public sector equality duty; and

(4)      the Council will continue to work with partner agencies and other local authorities across the Liverpool City Region on the development and implementation of action plans associated with the Socioeconomic Duty.

Reasons for the Decision(s):

Adoption of the duty by local authorities could deliver a number of benefits, including:

·       Improving outcomes for local people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

·       Supporting cross organisational and cross departmental working.

·       Raising awareness of socio-economic inequalities within organisations and among partners.

·       Ensuring widespread organisational commitment to, and consideration of, socio-economic inequalities.

It was proposed that the Socioeconomic Duty already aligned closely with the vision, values and core purpose of the Council, but adoption would support sustained focused on continuity and consistency in application of the emerging action plan.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not adopting the Duty would leave the Authority out of step with Liverpool City Region partners and might lead to missed opportunity in terms of tackling inequality.