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RESOLVED:
 
To approve:
· 
Appendix
1: an initial set of equality objectives at summary level,
describing the objectives, why they are being proposed and an
outline of key actions (a designed version will be used in
consultation and engagement)
· 
Appendix
2: the anti-racism action plan
· 
Appendix
3: the LGBTQIA framework
 
REASONS FOR DECISION
 
In November 2022 Hackney adopted a new Strategic Plan at
Cabinet and Council. An equality plan is needed to support the
ambitions of the strategic plan and political priorities and
consider these ambitions through an equality prism.  The new Equality Plan will replace the existing
Single Equality Scheme 2018-2022 and so we are at a key point of
change in policy which requires consultation and
engagement.  It is, furthermore, a
statutory duty to publish equality objectives, and consult on
them.  The new Plan includes a set of
new issues that have, to date, generated a lot of community
interest. Further engagement will help ensure our responses meet
community aspiration and need. Consultation and engagement on the
Equality Plan is therefore in part a legal requirement but also
responds to community interest and builds on past
practice.
 
The aim is to consult and engage residents on the Draft
Equality Plan during August, September and October and to take back
a final plan for agreement by Council on 29th November.
 
Before this begins, the Draft Equality Plan, the
anti-racism action plan  and the LGBTQIA
framework are being presented here for approval by Cabinet as a
consultation and engagement draft.
 
DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND
REJECTED
 
Option 1 - only do what is statutorily required and develop
draft objectives and consult on these 
without  developing the more detailed
plans that flow from these objectives. This has been rejected
because tackling inequality is a complex process that needs to be
underpinned by a  broad cross cutting
plan which has been developed by a range of
stakeholders. 
 
Option 2- develop a full equality plan and consult rather
than undertaking a more detailed engagement exercise This has been
rejected because:
· 
We are unlikely to
reach beyond those most likely to respond to consultation documents
and to reach the residents most impacted by inequality, if we only
consult
· 
The Council is
committed to putting residents first and co-designing solutions
with residents because we want to develop the right responses; to
tackle inequality effectively, we need to engage residents with
lived experience who can share their insight into what is driving
inequality and what needs to change.
· 
As outlined in
paragraph 1.4, trust and confidence in the Council is low for some
groups including black and global majority residents and social
housing tenants. These are groups who face greater inequality and
can be poorly served by statutory services. We need to adopt an
engaging approach that builds trust and confidence.
· 
Tackling inequality is
an issue that attracts public interest and scrutiny from a wide
range of stakeholders and we want to create the right engagement to
respond to this interest and invite ideas