Equality Action Committee - 08/05/2000

At a MEETING of the EQUALITY ACTION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th May, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia Sturrock, Leader of the Administration, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT FUND

There was submitted Report No 313-2000 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development updating the Committee on the bid submitted on behalf of the Council for support from the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund. The City Council had now been informed of the success of this bid.

The Committee noted and approved the contents of the report.

II DUNDEE CITY COUNCILS RESPONSE TO SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE DOMESTIC ABUSE STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No. 314-2000 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development informing the Committee of the response prepared to the above consultation document.

The Committee noted the report.

III STEPHEN LAWRENCE INQUIRY IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

There was submitted Report No 315-2000 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development outlining the key recommendations for local government arriving out of the MacPherson Report following the murder of Stephen Lawrence and requesting approval for the recommendation. The actions recommended relate to the key theme which acknowledges the right of all individuals to live free from personal violence.

The Committee agreed that the Race Issues Working Group should, as a matter of priority, discuss the actions listed in the checklist produced in the Local Government Associations document Further Guidance for Local Authorities on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry with a view to:-

Evaluating the current performance of racial equality

Setting targets for future performance

Developing local performance indicators in partnership with voluntary and statutory agencies.

IV TAKE OUR KIDS TO WORK

The Committee is aware that every year the City Council participates in Take our Daughters to Work Day which aims to broaden awareness of the range of opportunities in the workplace. This had proved worthwhile and successful and had been well supported by employees in a number of departments. However, the Director of Personnel and Management Services considers that, in addition, there would be merit in encouraging employees to bring their children, irrespective of gender, to work for a day.

Accordingly, it was suggested that an event be arranged during the school summer holidays to provide both boys and girls the opportunity to gain exposure to the workplace and to the variety of future careers available to them. Arrangements, including safety considerations, will be concluded with departments, trade unions, etc.

The Committee approved these proposals.

Julia Sturrock, Convener.