Strategy Development

Background

East Renfrewshire Council appointed us to develop a D&I strategy with reference to the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Fairer Scotland Duty. This Investment Programme was part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal initiative; a 20 year, £1.13 billion infrastructure investment programme to promote economic development and business growth.

A programme of ambitious projects to encourage economic growth in East Renfrewshire supported by £44 million of City Deal investment was proposed by the Council, and included improving transport links, increasing leisure opportunities, supporting business development and creating jobs.

Approach

The strategy began with gathering evidence about how the Programme would meet the needs of protected groups, and how it demonstrated the Council’s intention to address socio economic disadvantage. This was done on a macro level, looking at broad demographics and economic data, as well as the micro level which involved looking at details of proposed designs.

Process

A Screening Assessment was produced which concluded that the Programme was highly relevant to the General Equality Duty as it could remove/or reduce disadvantages faced by people as a result of their protected characteristics. A deeper evidence review looked at each area of the Programme, and consultation with residents took place face to face and on the online platform, Citizen Space. The Strategy and Assessment Report included an Action Plan to mainstream equality in Programme management.