The Assistant Director – Resources presented the results of the 2023 Staff Survey which was last run in 2020.

Members probed the Authority on Equality and Diversity and why this hasn’t made much progress, and why the Authority seems to be behind on this area in comparison to district councils.

The Director assured members that the Authority have been able to increase the diversity across the workforce despite still having a lot of work to do in this area.

The Assistant Director – Resources further expanded that the Authority will be running an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion questionnaire in the new year to help update records and target further support as a result of this. Further to this, staffing capacity has impacted upon Equality and Diversity work however with now having filled this gap, it will be a priority for the Authority again in the new year. Work will also be done on reviewing training and recruitment policies to ensure more diversity in the workplace and the Authority will reach out to councils HR teams to pick up on best practice.

Further discussion was held around the overall Equality in the workplace and the uneven balance in gender across the management. The Director informed members that the RISE programme, which will commence in the new year is specifically targeted at women and encouraging them into management roles following the Authority recognising this was an area where additional support was required.

The Chair further queried the Authority’s policy on Menopause and what efforts the Authority are going to for women who are going through this in the workplace.

The Assistant Director – Resources explained that the Authority have already provided training for Women around the Menopause and a Mandatory Menopause course for managers to equip them to support their staff in this area. The next stages will be to implement menopause into the Health and Wellbeing Strategy or as its own stand-alone policy.

Members further probed on the working environment and the Authority’s future plans for hybrid working.

The Assistant Director – Resources responded that a working group is currently being set up to look at the Hybrid Working Policy to ensure it works effectively for everybody including the Authority.

Members further questioned the Authority on if they have any policies in place to encourage sustainable transport.

The Assistant Director – Resources confirmed that as part of the Pay and Benefits review the Authority are looking to implement a salary sacrifice scheme for cycle to work and for electric or low emission vehicles. Additionally, one of the Authority’s corporate objectives is the net zero target for operations so work will be done to explore how this can be moved forwards.

The Director followed up that considerations were taken when choosing the office space, ensuring its good proximity to public transport links and facilities provided for staff including showers for those who choose to cycle or jog to work.

Further discussion was held on equality and diversity on the Authority Board and how it could continue to be diversified in the future.

RESOLVED: Members noted and commented on the results of the staff survey and the actions outlined in relation to the areas for further improvement.