Agenda item

(a)  That the annual developments and progress with the council’s current equality objectives be noted:

(i)  To have a representative and inclusive workforce

(ii)  To reduce inequalities in service access and outcomes

(iii)  To improve equality of opportunity through fair and evidence-based decision-making

(iv)  To help foster good community relations and community cohesion

(b)  That the independently calculated and verified results of the 2019 gender pay gap for Slough Borough Council employees and  the associated action plan for 2020-21 be noted.

The Lead Member for Health & Wellbeing introduced a report that set out the 2020 Equality & Diversity Report, including the 2019 gender pay gap figures and gender pay gap action plan.

The report showed that steady progress was being made by the Council in meeting its statutory equalities objectives.  The 2019 gender pay gap figures showed that the mean pay gap had reduced from 4.7% in 2018 to 3.1%.  The median pay gap remained in favour of women at -2.8%.  The Cabinet noted the progress on the establishment of the Women’s Network Group set up following the first gender pay gap action plan.  The Council was, and would continue to seek to improve the collection of information to better understand equalities issues in the organisation and inform decisions.

The Cabinet discussed various aspects of the report including the progress being made to ensure balanced gender representation at higher levels of the organisation.  It was also noted that whilst the Council’s commitments under the Armed Forces Community Covenant were not included in this report, consideration would be given to how progress could be measured and reported.

At the conclusion of the discussion the report was noted.

Resolved –

(a)  That the annual developments and progress with the council’s current equality objectives be noted:

(i)  To have a representative and inclusive workforce

(ii)  To reduce inequalities in service access and outcomes

(iii)  To improve equality of opportunity through fair and evidence-based decision-making

(iv)  To help foster good community relations and community cohesion

(b)  That the independently calculated and verified results of the 2019 gender pay gap for Slough Borough Council employees and the associated action plan for 2020-21 be noted.