The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Friday 12 June 2026. The committee discussed a call-in request regarding the decision to consult on the proposed decommissioning of the Council's Equalities Service, EQuIP. After extensive debate and consideration of recommendations, the committee voted to proceed with the consultation, with specific conditions regarding the committee's oversight.

Call-In: Decision to Consult on the Proposed Decommissioning of the Council's Equalities Service

The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration of a call-in request concerning the Portfolio Holder's decision to consult on the proposal to cease externally commissioning an equalities service, currently provided by the Equalities and Inclusion Partnership (EQuIP). Councillors Sarah Boad, Sarah Feeney, Nicki Scott, and Jeniffer McAllister had requested the call-in, citing concerns that the decision appeared predetermined and that EQuIP had been singled out for review without a comparative assessment of other commissioned voluntary sector services.

Councillor Boad argued that EQuIP, despite its relatively small annual contract value of £135,372, provides a broad range of essential services, including hate crime support and disability services, and that all three commissioned voluntary sector services (EQuIP, Citizens Advice, and WCAVA) should have been reviewed concurrently. Councillor McAllister echoed these concerns, questioning the genuineness of the consultation if options had already been discounted and suggesting that this approach could lead to low public engagement due to a perceived lack of influence. Councillor Scott highlighted the impact on partners who rely on EQuIP's work, such as the Warwickshire Hate Crime Partnership, and questioned the lack of a value for money assessment. Councillor Sarah Feeney emphasised that EQuIP's services go beyond its name, encompassing crucial work on hate crime and disability, and that singling out this service was unfair.

Portfolio Holder Councillor Michael Bannister stated that the decision was to proceed with consultation, not to make a final decision on EQuIP's future. He explained that the consultation was necessary due to financial pressures and the need to review discretionary spending, and that he had an open mind regarding the outcome. He argued that discussing the specifics of EQuIP's service at this stage would taint the consultation process.

Following extensive debate, Councillor David Curtis proposed a set of recommendations. These included:

1. Cancelling the proposed decision to commence public consultation into ceasing to externally commission an equalities service.
2. Commissioning two reviews before the decision is reconsidered: an independent best value review of the service and a thematic review of all commissioned voluntary and community sector services.
3. Establishing a cross-party task force to oversee the consultation's design, promotion, and reach, should it proceed.
4. Ensuring the Overview and Scrutiny Committee sees the consultation before it commences and that the Portfolio Holder will reflect on comments made by the committee.

During the voting on these recommendations, Recommendation One (cancelling the consultation) was defeated by six votes to four. Recommendation Two (commissioning two reviews) was also defeated by six votes to four. Recommendation Three (establishing a cross-party task force) was carried. A revised Recommendation Four, ensuring the Overview and Scrutiny Committee sees the consultation before it commences and that the Portfolio Holder will reflect on comments made by the committee, was then put to a vote. This was carried by six votes in favour, with two against and two abstentions.

The committee ultimately decided to proceed with the consultation, but with the added conditions that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would review the consultation documents beforehand and that the Portfolio Holder would consider their comments. The meeting concluded with the decision to proceed with the consultation being carried.

The meeting also included the appointment of Councillor Andy Crump as Chair and Councillor John Waine as Vice Chair of the Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Morris. There were no disclosures of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests declared, and no members of the public spoke.