Issue - meetings

The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development submitted the results of the 2017/18 Annual Equalities Report.  Members were advised that the Council’s employee profile was broadly reflective of the local demographic.

The Interim Head stated that one area where the employee profile was not reflective was gender and age as the Authority had a considerably higher percentage of females than males when compared to the working population of East Hertfordshire.  Members were advised however that this was common in the public sector.

The Interim Head stated that that there were no concerns with regard to leavers in terms of ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability and sexual orientation but there was, however, a disproportionate percentage of male leavers when compared to the percentage of male employees although it had reduced since last year.

The HR Officer advised that there had been a reduction in applicants from BAME groups being shortlisted from last year from 20 people (25% of BAME applicants) to 8 people (16% of BAME applicants).  There were no concerns in other areas at the shortlisting stage and the principal concern was ensuring that the best candidates were appointed.

Councillor M Stevenson commented on the ratio of male and female employees and referred to administrative and customer services roles being mostly occupied by women.  Councillor Mrs R Cheswright emphasised the importance of not over-analysing the annual equalities results.

Councillor M Stevenson proposed and Councillor S Cousins seconded, a motion that the 2017/18 annual equalities report be noted and the recommendations for 2018/19 be approved, as detailed in the report submitted.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the annual equalities report 2017/18 be noted; and

(B)   the recommendations for 2018/19 be approved as detailed in the report submitted.