Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 4 March 2009, the Strategic Planning Board recommended that meetings of the Board and the Northern and Southern Planning Committees should commence at 2pm. 

In making its recommendation, the Strategic Planning Board was not made aware of any equality issues that might arise from the decision.  Therefore, in order to ensure that all associated matters have been considered fully; an equality impact assessment is attached for Members’ consideration. 

Responsibility for setting the times for meetings of the Strategic Planning Board and Northern and Southern Planning Committees fell to this Board and at its meeting on 4^th March 2009; it had agreed that meetings of the three bodies would commence at 2pm on Wednesday afternoons.

In making its decision, Members had not been made aware of any equality issues arising from its decision and an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was now submitted for completion.  It was reported that although some groups would find it difficult to attend afternoon meetings, on balance it was considered to be the most appropriate arrangement. 

RESOLVED: That the findings of the Equality Impact Assessment now submitted be noted and the decision of the Strategic Planning Board made on 4 March 2009 (minute number 5 refers) be reaffirmed.