Agenda item

To scrutinise the council’s progress in delivering the Strategic Equality Objectives for the year 2024-2025.

Cabinet Member Councillor Angela Sandles introduced the report, explaining that the Equality Act 2010 requires the council to produce a strategic equality plan and annual progress reports. She advised that the current plan covered 2024–2028 and aligned with the council’s corporate and community goals. Together with Pennie Walker, she answered Members’ questions. 

Key Questions and points raised by Members: 

• How is the council is giving every child the best start in life when the home to school transport policy adds barriers to school attendance, especially for pre-school meal children who already have lower attendance rates? I’m concerned that the council is waiting to see the impact on children receiving free school meals, rather than proactively addressing potential barriers. 

• How the council can further include young people just above the free school meal eligibility line, who are disadvantaged by the £2 daily charge for breakfast at King Henry School and may not be able to afford it?  

• Is the council is liaising with the Women’s Institute in Gwent regarding their "knot in my name" campaign against violence towards women and girls? 

• Are there are plans to review drop kerbs at bus stops across the county, noting that while improvements have been made in some areas, issues remain elsewhere? 

• Are we planning to extend digital literacy training beyond hubs to secondary settlements and the wider community, to reach those with ongoing digital needs? 

Pennie advised that due to the specific nature of the questions asked that relate to responsibilities of various service areas, she would need to seek answers to provide to the committee by email (Action: Pennie Walker). 

• The protected characteristics under the Equality Act need updating. The plan should use "sex" (biological sex) instead of "gender" in line with the Supreme Court judgement, especially when referencing the Equality Act.  

• The Welsh Government's LGBTQ+ action plan referenced in the report is also not in keeping with legislation, following the Supreme Court judgement. Policies should ensure compliance, especially regarding the legal status of trans and non-binary identities. Policies should ensure compliance, especially regarding the legal status of trans and non-binary identities. 

Pennie advised that the our Strategic Equality Plan reflects the position for 2024-2025 which was prior to the Supreme Court Judgement, so the plan was drafted correctly for the time period it reflects.  

• Inclusive language" should mean avoiding inappropriate gendered terms (e.g., using "chair" instead of "chairman"). 

Penny acknowledged this and agreed to review and update the language in the plan (Action: Pennie Walker). 

• Sex as a characteristic should be included in "give every child the best start in life," particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ education, as the Equality Act is about sex and gender reassignment, not gender ideology. I have concerns about puberty blockers and safeguarding children.  

• Why is sex not listed as a relevant characteristic in Objective 1, highlighting its importance for inclusion, menstruation, and health issues?  

• Please can we remove the tick for gender reassignment, as it is not applicable to children.  

Penny agreed this was an oversight and would add sex and remove gender reassignment for the next report.  

• In terms of what a "plus child" is in the context of LGBTQ+ inclusive education, I have concerns about teaching children they need to change their bodies if they don't fit gender stereotypes.  

• Period poverty should reference "young women and girls" as menstruation only affects females, and de-sexing the language is unhelpful.  

• Sex is not listed as a relevant characteristic in Objective 5, emphasizing the need for sex-segregated spaces for safety and accessibility, especially for women and minority faith groups.  

• I have concerns that inclusive language in training materials can erase women from issues that affect them, impacting understanding and health outcomes, especially for those with learning disabilities or for whom English is a second language.  

• What steps are being taken to ensure that external resources used for LGBTQ+ education and relationships/sexuality education in schools are safe and Lawful? 

Penny said she would need to consult with the head of inclusion and provide details following the meeting (Action: Pennie Walker).  

• How is the council monitoring that equalities training for leaders and managers is lawful and uses correct terminology, noting misuse of "gender" instead of "sex."  

Penny responded that they are waiting for EHRC guidance and will review policies and the Strategic Equality Plan accordingly.  

• The language in the plan is confusing, so please could "sex" be used rather than "gender" throughout, including in references to the pay gap.  

Penny explained that Welsh Government require Councils to report on the gender pay gap, so this is not something we are able to change.  

• The plan should mention Christianity in relation to collective worship in schools, as required by law. 

• It is important to protect women’s spaces (e.g., toilets, changing rooms) and referenced previous council discussions about single-sex toilets in new schools.  

• Could the plan address conflicts between protected characteristics, such as marriage or stable relationships?  

• Is data on bullying, harassment and discrimination collected by schools broken down by sex, specifically to understand peer-on-peer assaults and the context of violence against women and girls? 

Penny agreed to assess what data is collected and to provide a response (Action: Pennie Walker).  

• It’s positive to hear that the council has achieved age-friendly employer status. What has been done to encourage the workforce to stay in work longer, including reasonable adjustments for older staff? Please can we have some further detail on this? (Action: Pennie Walker). 

• Please can the plan reference the Council's ambition to have at least one "changing space" (changing places facility) in every town, and that this be fully considered in relevant Council decisions. 

Penny acknowledged this point.  

• Will the plan be updated earlier than scheduled, stressing the importance for children’s education and safeguarding? 

Penny and Councillor Sandles acknowledged the feedback provided by the Committee and reminded Members that the report refers to the current period, and indicated they are awaiting EHRC guidance and will review and update the plan as needed.