The Portfolio Holder for Safe Communities introduced a report setting out aims and commitments for the West Kent Equality Partnership.  The Partnership was formed in 2010 between Sevenoaks District Council, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.  The Partnership developed a joint response to the requirement to publish equality objectives intended to support improved partnership working and to allow authorities to report shared outcomes against common objectives.  The Chief Executive reported that the Aims and Commitments for 2012-2016 had been approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and would shortly be considered by the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Scrutiny Committee.

The Portfolio Holder for Safe Communities stressed that that the commitments outlined in the report applied to all Councillors and Staff within the District and should be reflected within the new Code of Conduct regime.

            Resolved that to ensure the Council complies with its obligations under the Equality Act 2010:

(a)   the West Kent Equality Partnership Aims and Commitments for 2012-16 be adopted; and

(b)    authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Safe and Caring Communities to respond to any comments by the Social Affairs Committee, in order to comply with the statutory timescale.