City councillors are set to consider proposals for a number of new projects which will promote equality and diversity in Cambridge, including:
- Consulting on proposals to improve access to taxis for passengers with disabilities as part of a review of the council’s taxi policy. The proposals include mandatory training for all taxi drivers on disability issues as part of wider training on safeguarding issues;
- Signing the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Crisis Concordat and working with the police and health organisations to make sure that people experiencing mental health crisis receive the care they need;
- Working with the Citizens Advice Bureau to provide financial advice to patients at GP surgeries who are experiencing mental health issues due to debt or other financial issues. Advice sessions have been successfully piloted at one GP surgery in Cambridge and will be extended to a further three practices over the next year.
These new activities follow a series of equality and diversity achievements during the past year, including:
- Carrying out a review of the barriers to getting around Cambridge city centre for disabled people and older people, and taking action to reduce street obstructions such as ‘A’ boards, abandoned cycles and the location of some cycle racks;
- Taking action to address domestic violence, including working with partners to organise a domestic abuse and sexual violence awareness event, and developing a new council webpage to signpost people who have been affected by domestic abuse to agencies that can provide help;
- Taking steps to make council services and facilities a ‘safer space’ for LGB&T customers, including providing guidance for council managers and a transgender training and awareness course for council staff;
- Providing regular outreach surgeries at Cambridge Mosque and the Addenbrooke’s Hub on services to address racial harassment and anti-social behaviour;
- Providing activities and services for children and young people, including: providing over 560 play sessions which were attended by more than 13,000 children and providing a programme of free swimming lessons for 290 children from low income families.
- Helping older people in the city to remain active and independent by:
- Supporting a range of community groups for older people;
- Helping 535 older people to access care services, claim suitable benefits, provide alarms and assistive technology to ensure their home is a safe environment;
- Working with partners to deliver a programme of fitness classes which have been attended by almost 5,000 older people to date.
Cllr Lewis Herbert, Leader of the Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors have equal access to the services and facilities provided by the council and other bodies in Cambridge.
“As Cambridge becomes increasingly diverse, we are also committed to promoting good relations between different communities in the city, whilst tackling discrimination, harassment and victimisation when it does occur.
“I welcome the wide range of work that the council is doing to tackle the barriers experienced by particular groups and promote equality of opportunity for everyone.”
A report will be presented to the council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 4 July setting out the key projects delivered during 2015-16 and proposing a further 30 actions that will be taken forward in 2016-17.
NOTES
In July 2015 the council adopted a new Single Equality Scheme (SES) for April 2015 to March 2018. The SES identifies five objectives for the council’s work on equalities issues and sets out a total of 39 actions for the council during 2015/16 to help deliver these. The full SES is available at: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/content/equality-and-diversity-policies-and-plans
The ‘Safer Spaces‘ project is being led by the Encompass Network. It aims to provide LGBTQ people in Cambridge and surrounding areas with places where they can feel safe, welcome and supported. Further information on the project can be found at: http://encompassnetwork.org.uk/saferspaces
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