Cllr Gant, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report. He confirmed that the Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the new material and decided not to change the recommendation.

Cllr Brown, Board Member for Customer and Corporate Services accepted the scrutiny recommendation. The money saved would be used to promote equality in the workforce. She would discuss with officers how best to use the money.

The Chair of the Equality and Diversity Review Group will update the Committee on the scoping meeting held on 26 October 2015.

The Committee is asked to APPROVE the scope of the ‘Equality and Diversity’ Review Group.

Report to follow.

The Chair of the Equality and Diversity Review Panel presented the draft scoping document.  He thanked panel members, the Scrutiny Officer and Chris Harvey and Jarlath Brine for their support in shaping the proposed terms of reference for the panel.

In discussion the Committee identified the following points for further consideration by the panel

·         that Council representatives from Unison and Unite should be invited to participate in the panel either as members or as witnesses

·         whether there were inequalities within particular types of job or grade levels within the Council which did not reflect the overall position

·         when considering what barriers are faced by under-represented groups in the recruitment process it was important to look at the initial, application stages

The Committee resolved to AGREE the scoping document.