The Head of People has submitted a report regarding the Positive Action Policy. Cabinet considered the report and recommended to Council on 18 June 2025.

Recommendation: For Council to resolve to:

1. Approve the Positive Action Policy for publication and use

Council resolved to:

1.    Approve the Positive Action Policy for publication and use

The?Head of People had submitted a report regarding the Positive Action Policy. Cabinet had considered the report and recommended it to Council on 18 June 2025. 

Councillor Chapman presented the report, noting that the policy is a critical tool for ensuring that under-representation across varying levels of the council is addressed. Council heard that the trade unions support this policy, and it has been integrated within current training, recruitment, and retention efforts.  

Councillor Smowton queried what the Council will do to encourage representation of trans persons given the recent Equality Act ruling. Councillor Chapman emphasised that Council would continue reach out and encourage applications from persons within the trans community and will treat all applications properly and fairly. Where already employed, members of the community will be positively encouraged to take up greater responsibility.  

Councillor Djafari-Marbini?welcomed the addition of recommendations from the child poverty review group relating to social economic duties and the inclusion of KPIs within the policy to support target setting.  

Councillor Chapman moved the report to a vote. Upon being seconded by Councillor Brown, the recommendation was put to a vote and agreed.  

Council resolved to:  

1. Approve?the Positive Action Policy for publication and use.