The Equalities Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss the Annual Equalities Report for 2025/26 and to agree priorities for the upcoming work programme. The Board will also review its Terms of Reference.

Annual Equalities Report 2025/26

A verbal update is scheduled to be provided on the development of the Annual Equalities Report for 2025/26. This report will likely detail the council's performance and activities related to equality and diversity over the past year.

Work Programme 2026/27

The Board is expected to agree and prioritise items for its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This will shape the focus of the Board's activities and discussions over the coming year. The report pack indicates that the Annual Equalities Report 2025/26 will be a key item for discussion on 23 September 2026, with other items to be discussed on 7 December 2026, 3 February 2027, and 19 April 2027.

Terms of Reference

The Board is scheduled to note for information the attached Terms of Reference for the Equalities Board. These terms outline the Board's purpose, membership, and responsibilities. The Equalities Board is established to oversee the council's processes for eliminating discrimination based on protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010¹. These characteristics include age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender, and sexual orientation. The council also includes care experience as a protected characteristic. The Board's remit includes monitoring the council's performance against equality legislation, acting as a consultative and advisory body for new policies, raising awareness of service user needs, and providing a sounding board for proposals that may affect protected characteristics. It also aims to promote understanding of equalities, encourage mutual respect, and highlight the benefits of a diverse workforce.