Equality Outcomes 2025-2029
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 February 2025
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 20 February 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 20 FEBRUARY 2025 EQUALITY OUTCOMES 2025-2029 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report describes work which has been undertaken to develop a new set of Equality Outcomes which will cover the period May 2025 to April 2029 as required to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. 1.2 We recommend that the Policy and Resources Committee approve the following outcomes. 1. We make access to information and services easier for people with protected characteristics. 2. Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics. 3. We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to accommodate and support them. 4. Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and supports them. 5. We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. 6. Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and its partners and is strategically aligned. 1.3 There are no financial implications arising directly from this report.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 20 FEBRUARY 2025 EQUALITY OUTCOMES 2025-2029 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report describes work carried out to develop a new set of Equality Outcomes. These will ensure we meet our obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty. 2.2 Work carried out has included internal and external consultation and engagement activity. The report outlines the preparatory work carried out to draft the outcomes and discusses the findings of the public consultation which followed, along with changes made in light of the consultation results. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that Policy and Resources Committee agree the following set of Equality Outcomes for the period 2025-2029:- 1. We make access to information and services easier for people with protected characteristics. 2. Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics. 3. We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to accommodate and support them. 4. Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and supports them. 5. We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. 6. Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and its partners and is strategically aligned.
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4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The Council, the Education Authority, and the Argyll and Bute Licensing Board, as ‘listed authorities’ identified in the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), are required to publish equality outcomes at least every four years. Additionally, progress in achieving the outcomes must be reported in a ‘mainstreaming report’ every two years. 4.2 While the Council, the Education Authority, and the Licensing Board are separate authorities under the Act, it is acceptable to report on progress towards achieving outcomes in a single report. To enable this, we propose a shared set of outcomes. 4.3 The PSED specifically deals with equality as it relates to the nine protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act (2010). This is worth noting as it narrows the focus of what should be included in the equality outcomes and influences how they should be worded, with explicit reference usually being made to protected characteristics. 4.4 The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act (2010) are: • Race • Disability • Sex • Age • Sexual orientation • Religion and belief • Gender reassignment • Marriage and civil partnership • Pregnancy and maternity. 4.5 Each equality outcome must specify a result which will advance one or more of the needs mentioned in the general equality duty. These are: • the need to eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited under that Act • the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not, and • the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not. 4.6 We are expected to monitor and evidence progress towards achieving outcomes. To this end, after the equality outcomes are approved, we will develop an action plan to support their delivery. 4.7 While individual outcomes need not relate to every protected characteristic, where they do not, we are required to publish reasons explaining why not. 4.8 In preparing equality outcomes, we are required to take reasonable steps to involve people who share relevant protected characteristics and people who
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represent the interests of people with protected characteristics, and to consider relevant evidence. The implication is that we must carry out consultation/engagement work as we develop the outcomes. 4.9 Equality outcomes must be published in our Equality Mainstreaming Report, which we produce every two years. 4.10 Although our equality outcomes were reviewed in 2023, we did not make changes to them at that time because: • the current ones were still seen as being fit for purpose; • Scottish Government was undertaking a review of the Public Sector Equality Duty and was considering the introduction of national outcomes in 2025 which would have given any new outcomes formulated at that stage only two years of life, and; • extending our outcomes by a further two years gave us the opportunity to realign our outcome setting timetable to other listed authorities. (We were out of sync with other local authorities following a review of outcomes a number of years ago.) 4.11 In drafting proposed outcomes prior to public consultation, we: • Looked at the council’s priorities. • Considered existing areas of activity with which links can be made. • Horizon scanned changes happening outwith the organisation. • Consulted internally with officers in relation to Education, Violence Against Women, Refugees, and workforce-related activities. We have also presented papers with the proposed outcomes to the council’s Departmental Management Teams. • Discussed the development of equality outcomes at the UNCRC Incorporation Working Group and the Equality Forum. • Made a presentation to the CPP Management Committee about our proposed equality outcomes. 4.12 The public consultation was published on the council’s website and publicised through the council’s weekly ‘Argyll and Bute News Round Up’ email. In addition, organisations known to the Community Development team were emailed to promote the consultation with the intent to reach community groups working with individuals who have one or more of the nine protected characteristics. 4.13 We proposed outcomes focus on the following themes: • Accessibility • Safer Communities
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• Awareness raising • Strengthening strategic links • Refugees • Equality of opportunity. The rationale behind each of these, and the draft wording for each outcome is explained in more detail below. 4.14 The public consultation ran from 23 November 2024 to 10 January 2025. In total, 24 responses were received in response to the public consultation, twenty from individuals and four from organisations. Broadly speaking, responses were supportive of the proposed outcomes. See table 1. Table 1: Numbers of respondents agreeing or disagreeing to proposed equality outcomes Proposed outcome Agree Disagree No response 1. We make access to information and services for people with protected characteristics 21 3 0 2. Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics 22 2 0 3. We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced with people with protected characteristics along with ways to overcome them. 20 3 1 4. Argyll and Bute is a welcoming place for New Scots to come and settle in. 19 3 2 5. We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. 22 2 0 6. Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and strategically aligned. 22 2 0 4.15 We received some suggestions for wording of the outcomes. These are discussed in more detail below and some limited changes to wording have been made as a result. 4.16 Several responses to the public consultation raised concerns that reference to protected characteristics in the outcomes was too limiting and that actions should extend to groups who experience serious deprivation and poverty. However, the wording of the equality outcomes, and specific reference to
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protected characteristics has been retained because this reflects the requirements of the PSED. Equality outcomes are not delivered as an alternative to work the council already does to address issues relating to deprivation and poverty. 4.17 Responses reflecting both sides of the trans debate were received in the course of this consultation. 4.18 Two responses disagreed with all the equality outcomes. One of these was on the basis that making things ‘easier’ for people with protected characteristics will build resentment between them and other groups because this was not seen as equality. The other was on the basis that the outcomes rely too heavily on third sector organisations for their delivery and these are not council led. We disagree on both counts. 4.19 Each of the proposed equality outcomes is considered in more detail below. 4.20 Accessibility. Proposed outcome: We make access to information and services easier for people with protected characteristics. Rationale: • Scottish Government has talked for several years about wanting to introduce a Duty of Inclusive Communications. Although it appears Scottish Government has now dropped this as a proposed Duty, this is a theme Scottish Government will continue to promote, as indicated in its current consultation regarding its Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy. • UNCRC incorporation includes a requirement to produce child-friendly documents. Work around the UNCRC is referenced in the council’s priorities. • Accessibility links with other activities including the Council’s BSL plan and website accessibility. • Accessibility links with wider good practice (including the production of easy read documents). The majority of consultation responses were in favour of this outcome. Other than the objection to the inclusion of ‘protected characteristics’, as described above, no suggestions were made with regard to its rewording. As a result, we have retained the wording of the outcome as used in the consultation. 4.21 Safer communities. Proposed outcome: Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics. Rationale:
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• This outcome can be an umbrella for a range of activities being carried out by the council and the Education authority. • Enables people to have access to safer spaces. • Ties into work being carried out by the Violence Against Women Partnership around Violence Against Women and the Equally Safe Plan. • Ties into work Education does around bullying. The majority of consultation responses were in favour of this outcome. Other than the objection to the inclusion of ‘protected characteristics’, as described above, no suggestions were made with regard to its rewording. As a result, we have retained the wording of the outcome as used in the consultation. Some comments were received in response to the rationale behind the outcome. These related to the need to maintain single sex spaces, domestic violence against men, and types of bullying to be addressed. As these relate to specifics around work being carried out, these responses will be considered in more detail as we develop an action plan to support the delivery of these outcomes. 4.22 Awareness raising. Proposed outcome: We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to overcome them. Rationale: • Keeps equalities and issues arising around protected characteristics on people’s radar. • Ties in with ‘fosters good relations’. • Links can be made with the Third Sector. • Reduces organisational risk where equalities-related issues are better understood. The majority of consultation responses were in favour of this outcome. In addition to the objection to the inclusion of ‘protected characteristics’, as described above, suggestions were made around the wording of this outcome. Specifically, the suggestion was made to replace ‘overcome’ with ‘accommodate and support’. In addition, one respondent suggested that the outcome did not go far enough; the outcome should focus on enabling people to advocate for change in situations where issues and challenges exist. While we have not recommended the wording of the outcome itself be changed to reflect this, this can be added to the narrative explaining the rationale for the outcome.
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We therefore suggest the wording of this outcome be amended to: We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to accommodate and support them. 4.23 Refugees. Proposed outcome: Argyll and Bute is a welcoming place for New Scots to come to and settle in. Rationale: • This has been picked up by the new administration as one of its priorities • Ties in with Scottish Government’s New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy One respondent, while agreeing with the outcome, took issue with its wording, suggesting describing refugees and asylum seekers as ‘New Scots’ fails to reflect the need to balance assimilating into a new country with maintaining the sense of identity and nationality. We recognise the importance of valuing the culture of our settlers, along with the need for them to maintain their sense of identity. We made the choice to use the words ‘New Scots’ because it aligns with the language used by Scottish Government. We do not recommend changing the word of the outcome on these grounds. Another respondent suggested rewording this outcome to: Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and will ensure they are supported here. As a compromise, we suggest the wording be amended to: Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and supports them. 4.24 Equality of opportunity. Proposed outcome: We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. Rationale: • Closing gaps between different groups, for example around educational attainment. • Could create closer links with workforce planning activities. • Increased opportunities to their fulfil potential for those with protected characteristics. The majority of consultation responses were in favour of this outcome. Other than the objection to the inclusion of ‘protected characteristics’, as described above, no suggestions were made with regard to its rewording.
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This was an area where the focus on protected characteristics was seen as being too limiting, as other groups, particularly those experiencing deprivation and poverty should also be supported. Again, the reference of people with protected characteristics does not mean other groups are not supported. Indeed, as there is likely to be overlap between some people with protected characteristics and groups experiencing socio-economic need, this simply ensures that people with protected characteristics are considered when taking appropriate actions. A couple of respondents suggested that we need to set out more clearly how this will be enabled in practice. This will be reflected more fully in the action plan which will be developed to underpin the delivery of these outcomes. 4.25 Strengthening strategic links / ‘getting it right’ Proposed outcome: Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and strategically aligned. Rationale: • We do a lot of good work around equalities and disadvantaged groups, but these are not always linked together. • Would ensure more consistent practice within the organisation. • Would ensure joined up practice, tying into the idea of ‘themes not teams’. • Can tie into Community Engagement work. • Can tie into evidence/data work. The majority of consultation responses were in favour of this outcome. Other than the objection to the inclusion of ‘protected characteristics’, as described above, no suggestions were made with regard to its rewording. One respondent noted that ‘Education and other agencies need to recognise the number of third sectors who engage with many people within our community and may have very important input into a successful outcome for all who live in Argyll & Bute’. To reflect this, we suggest the wording of the outcome be amended to: Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and its partners and is strategically aligned. 4.26 Upon the approval of the Equality Outcomes, we will develop an action plan to ensure we can monitor progress towards their delivery. The outcomes will be published in the next Equality Mainstreaming Report (due April 2025). This is a joint report which covers the Council, Education Authority, and the Licensing Board.
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5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The Council, Education Authority, and Licensing Board are three listed authorities under the PSED. As such, they/we are required to set equality outcomes every four years. 5.2 We propose the equality outcomes adopted for the period 2025-2029 are as follows: 1. We make access to information and services easier for people with protected characteristics. 2. Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics. 3. We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to accommodate and support them. 4. Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and supports them. 5. We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. 6. Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and its partners and is strategically aligned. 5.3 We ask the Policy and Resources Committee to approve these outcomes. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy: This paper relates to the setting of Equality Outcomes. 6.2 Financial: There are no financial implications arising directly from this report. 6.3 Legal: The setting of new equality outcomes is part of our Equality Mainstreaming Duty and a requirement of the Public Sector Equality Duty. 6.4 HR: Some of the suggested actions identified to sit under the proposed outcomes relate to existing workstreams, notably around workforce diversity and working planning. This will ensure we consider existing pieces of work through a more explicit equality lens. 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics: Protected Characteristics: Equalities outcomes setting and mainstreaming reporting are required to fulfil our obligations under the PSED. An equality and socio- economic impact assessment (EqSEIA) has been completed in relation to the equality outcome setting process. 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty: an EqSEIA has been completed in relation to the equality outcome setting process. 6.5.3 Islands: an EqSEIA has been completed in relation to the equality outcome setting process.
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6.6 Climate Change: No implications arising from this report. 6.7 Risk: The completion of this work reduces the risk of non-compliance with legislation. 6.8 Customer Service: None arising directly from this report. 6.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC): None arising directly from this report. However, we have identified links between proposed outcomes and work relating to the incorporation of the UNCRC. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Policy Lead: Councillor Mark Irvine 14 January 2025 For further information contact: Jane Fowler, Head of Customer Support Services jane.fowler@argyll-bute.gov.uk Chris Carr, OD Project Officer chris.carr@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Argyll and Bute Council: Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment
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APPENDIX 1 Argyll and Bute Council: Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Section 1: About the proposal Title of Proposal Equality Outcomes 2025-2029 Intended outcome of proposal Setting of a new set of Equality Outcomes for the period 2025-2029. Description of proposal The Council, the Education Authority, and the Argyll and Bute Licensing Board, as ‘listed authorities’ identified in the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), are required to publish equality outcomes at least every four years. We propose the adoption of the following outcomes: 1. We make access to information and services easier for people with protected characteristics. 2. Our communities are safe for, and welcoming to, people with protected characteristics. 3. We raise awareness of issues and challenges faced by people with protected characteristics along with ways to accommodate and support them. 4. Argyll and Bute welcomes New Scots and supports them. 5. We ensure people with protected characteristics are enabled to progress. 6. Our work relating to equalities and people with protected characteristics is coordinated across the organisation and its partners and is strategically aligned. Business Outcome(s) / Corporate Outcome(s) to which the proposal contributes Equality outcomes are crosscutting across the organisation. Links have been made with between the proposed outcomes and council priorities. There is also crossover with the councils Connect for Success themes, notably (but not exclusively) relating to ‘Employee Empowerment’ and ‘Data and Evidence Driven’. Lead officer details: Name of lead officer Chris Carr Job title OD Project Officer Department Customer Support Services Appropriate officer details:
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Name of appropriate officer Jane Fowler Job title Head of Customer Support Services Department Sign off of EqSEIA Date of sign off 20.01.2025 Who will deliver the proposal? Officers from across the Council will deliver actions to deliver the proposed outcomes. In addition, we anticipate that members of the Licensing Board will be responsible for contributing actions to support the delivery of outcomes. We will liaise with partners (including from the Third Sector) as appropriate. Section 2: Evidence used in the course of carrying out EqSEIA Consultation / engagement In drafting the outcomes, we consulted internally with officers in relation to Education, Violence Against Women, Refugees, and workforce-related activities. We have also presented papers with the proposed outcomes to the council’s Departmental Management Teams. We discussed the development of equality outcomes at the UNCRC Incorporation Working Group and the Council’s Equality Forum. We made a presentation to the CPP Management Committee about the proposed equality outcomes. We carried out a public consultation which ran from 23 November 2024 to 10 January 2024. The public consultation was published on the council’s website and publicised through the council’s weekly ‘Argyll and Bute News Round Up’ email. In addition, organisations known to the Community Development team were emailed to promote the consultation with the intent to reach community groups working with individuals who have one or more of the nine protected characteristics. We received 24 responses to the public consultation, twenty from individuals and four on behalf of organisations. The organisations between them worked with people from all protected characteristics. Age and disability were particularly well represented. Data We are aware that data relating to equality groups is limited in part due to challenges relating to reaching hard to reach groups. As part of ongoing work around community engagement and data, we wish to include actions under outcome 6 which will be designed to improve collection and understanding of data ensuring it can be segmented by different equality groups. Other information
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In addition to the internal engagement outlined above, when drafting proposed outcomes prior to public consultation, we: • Looked at the council’s priorities. • Considered existing areas of activity with which links can be made. • Horizon scanned changes happening outwith the organisation. Gaps in evidence No comment. Section 3: Impact of proposal Impact on service users: Negative No impact Positive Don’t know Protected characteristics: Age x Disability x Ethnicity x Sex x Gender reassignment x Marriage and Civil Partnership x Pregnancy and Maternity x Religion x Sexual Orientation x Fairer Scotland Duty: Mainland rural population x Island populations x Low income x Low wealth x Material deprivation x Area deprivation x Socio-economic background x Communities of place x Communities of interest x If you have identified any impacts on service users, explain what these will be.
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Each equality outcome must specify a result which will advance one or more of the needs mentioned in the general equality duty. These are: • the need to eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited under that Act • the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not, and • the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not. Given that the purpose of the Equality Outcomes is to advance these needs, we anticipate positive impacts for all of the equality groups. In addition, because there are overlaps between protected characteristics and the If any ‘don’t know’s have been identified, at what point will impacts on these groups become identifiable? Not applicable. Impact on service deliverers (including employees, volunteers etc): Negative No impact Positive Don’t know Protected characteristics: Age x Disability x Ethnicity x Sex x Gender reassignment x Marriage and Civil Partnership x Pregnancy and Maternity x Religion x Sexual Orientation x Fairer Scotland Duty: Mainland rural population x Island populations x Low income x Low wealth x Material deprivation x Area deprivation x Socio-economic background x Communities of place x Communities of interest x If you have identified any impacts on service deliverers, explain what these will be. As some actions which will underpin the delivery of the equality outcomes will be directed at our workforce / service deliverers, we anticipate positive outcomes for all protected characteristics. However, concrete benefits related to marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity are difficult to anticipate. For this reason, we have suggested we do not know that the impact on these groups will be.
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We have suggested there will be no impact on the groups listed under the Fairer Scotland Duty although in practice there is likely to be overlap between these and the equality groups; any incidental impacts are likely to be positive. If any ‘don’t know’s have been identified, at what point will impacts on these groups become identifiable? As the action plan which will underpin the delivery of the outcomes is developed, particular actions which might affect these groups will become clearer. How has ‘due regard’ been given to any negative impacts that have been identified? No negative impacts have been identified. Section 4: Interdependencies Is this proposal likely to have any knock-on effects for any other activities carried out by or on behalf of the council? Yes Details of knock-on effects identified Equality Outcomes apply across the organisation so all Services will be expected to deliver as required. The contributions each Service will be expected to make will become clearer as the action plan is developed. Section 5: Monitoring and review How will you monitor and evaluate the equality impacts of your proposal? As part of the equality mainstreaming requirements set out in the Public Sector Equality Duty, we are expected to monitor and evidence progress towards achieving outcomes. To this end, after the equality outcomes are approved, we will develop an action plan to support their delivery. This action plan will include targets and will be monitored.