To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor RJ Phillips, the Leader, Councillor LO Barnet, Cabinet Member Older People Social Care Adults, Councillor H Bramer, Cabinet Member Resources and Councillor JA Hyde, Cabinet Member Children’s Services.

Apologies were also received from Councillor PJ Edwards, Chairman Strategic Monitoring Committee.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held and then adjourned on 24 September and reconvened on 1 October 2009.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September and 1 October 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

·         To brief Cabinet on the progress made against the Council’s Comprehensive Equality Policy (2007-2010);

·         To seek Cabinet’s approval in the development of a Single Equality Policy that will cover the Council, NHS Herefordshire and Hereford Hospitals Trust; and,

·         To advise Cabinet on the progress made in developing the first joint Disability Equality Scheme (DES) (2009-2012) across the Council, NHS Herefordshire, and Hereford Hospitals Trust.

The Equality and Diversity Manager presented the report. She advised Cabinet of the following:

• The Council’s commitment to equality and diversity was key to working in partnership with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Hereford Hospitals Trust (HHT).
• Herefordshire had reached Level 3 of The Equality Standard in Local Government but that this was now moving up to Level 5;
• The target date for achieving Level 5 was now set for 2011;

In answering a Member’s question, the Chief Executive advised that although there was not an equivalent equality and diversity team in the PCT and HHT, the NHS organisations were in the process of agreeing the same single equality policy and were working with the Council’s diversity team to achieve this.

Cabinet was advised that since April 2009, 16 racial incidents had been reported which was deemed to be a low level and that none had been referred to the criminal prosecutor.

A discussion was held on the measurement on achievements in relation to equality standards, how diversity standards were measured and whether standards were measured against achievement rather than just against the process and additionally the need to promote the work of the Equalities and Diversity team.

RESOLVED:   That

(i)                 the progress and work that has been achieved through the Comprehensive Equality Policy be acknowledged;

(ii)               the development of a single equality policy for the Council be agreed; and

(iii)             the progress to date in developing the Disability Equality Scheme and the timescale for publication be acknowledged.       

To approve the revised joint Risk Management and Assurance Policy and Guidance documents.

Cabinet was informed that the report was deferred until the next meeting of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:   That consideration of the report be deferred until the next meeting of Cabinet to be held on Thursday 26 November 2009.

To approve response to Environment Scrutiny Committee Review of On Street Parking.

The Chairman of Environment Scrutiny Committee presented the report and informed Cabinet of the Review Group Chairman’s comments that:

·         The current Local Transport Plan had not achieved the reduction of traffic needed in Hereford City;

·         There was a need to find a workable alternative to the existing two vehicle residents scheme whereby residents could park more easily;

·         Adequate parking should be found for community groups based in residential areas.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation advised on the following points:

• that consultation should be carried out on any material changes to on street car parking policies prior to any final decision being taken;
• that any changes  to the current residents parking permit scheme to eliminate any possible permit misuse could result in Traffic Orders needing to be revised;
• that the emphasis should be on enforcement of the current permit scheme to eliminate misuse of permits:
• that there would be no addition to the cycle rack provision in High Town, Hereford and any additional racks be situated on the periphery;

·         that a trial on car park exit charges to commence in 2010.

RESOLVED:   That

(i)                 the responses set out in Appendix 1 to the Report be agreed in principle subject to recommendation 9(a) in the Appendix being amended to include any increase to the current cycle racks on the periphery of High Town, Hereford; and

(ii)               public consultation be undertaken on any proposed material changes to the car parking policies prior to any final decision being taken on the review of On Street Parking and that the final decision be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation.

To note progress against the 2009-2010 data quality action plan.

The Head of Policy and Performance Management presented the report and Cabinet noted the progress being made against the data quality action plan. In noting the progress Members were pleased to note that major tasks had been completed and significant milestones had been passed.

The Deputy Leader reminded Members that the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee shares the Cabinet’s aim in keeping data quality high on the priority list.

RESOLVED:   That the progress now being made against the data quality action plan be noted.