10 February 2010
MINUTES OF THE EQUALITY ADVISORY GROUP MEETING
10 FEBRUARY 2010
CROWN OFFICE, EDINBURGH
Present:
Elinor Kelly (Chair)
Muhammad Sadiq (Minutes)
|
Members |
Delegates |
|
Bruce Adamson Susan Anderson Tim Hopkins Pramila Kaur Marsha Scott |
Lesley Shoniwa Karen Kennedy Sandy Mackie Morag McLaughlin Kate Neill Bushra Iqbal |
|
Apologies: Linda Cockburn, COPFS Philomena de Lima Bill Gray Joe O'Donnell, HM Inspectorate Mukami McCrum Helena Scott Jim Sweeney |
Attending: Crown Agent Norman McFadyen Sol. Gen Frank Mulholland Fiona Duncan, Scottish Court Service Dave Young, Scottish Court Service |
1. Welcome and Introductions:
The meeting welcomed and introduced Norman McFadyen, Crown Agent and Solicitor General Frank Mulholland.
1.1. Members noted recent equality and diversity developments within Scottish Government. The meeting also considered the Service's recently revised Diversity Awareness Programme and tailored programme for senior staff and Advocates Depute.
1.2. The meeting was reassured about the Service's continuing high level commitment to equality and diversity.
1.3. The Crown Agent welcomed the extended membership of the EAG and renewed breadth of expertise, also noting the positive initiative of visiting Area offices, providing stimulus for community engagement.
1.4. Members extended an invitation to the New Crown Agent and Solicitor general to join the meeting in February 2011.
1.5. Solicitor General, Frank Mulholland, advised the members of the Hate Crime conference on 24 March 2010. Members noted that Patrick Harvey is a keynote speaker at the conference and invitations to all the members will be sent out.
1.6. The Solicitor General advised the members that the service has high level commitment to equality and diversity.
1.7. The Solicitor General advised the members that there were many cases in his career which were a learning curve for him such as;
a) Imran Khan in 1997-1998
b) Surjit Singh Chhokar in November 1998
c) The recent murder of an Indian student near Gorbals Street in Glasgow
The Solicitor General advised that now COPFS staff are better prepared and can competently deal with these types of cases.
1.8. A Member asked the Crown Agent if he could ask the Scottish Government to publish the equality impact assessments on the website for public access.
1.9. A Member asked the Crown Agent if the Scottish Government had any plans to review their internal recruitment policies? He replied that sometimes it has been difficult to get the right calibre of candidate from the minority communities but that SG are actively trying to address this issue by looking at ways the SG can make itself more attractive to minority group as an employer of choice. Also to note that due to the economic downturn there has been a lot less external recruitment with more re-deployment of staff already working within SG.
2. Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes of the previous meeting will be revised after receiving input from Marsha Scott. Minutes of the previous community engagement meeting also require to be amended and will be presented at the next meeting in May for approval.
3. Matters arising
3.1. Update from Policy on Sexual Offences Handbook
Members noted that COPFS has set up a project board and project team to oversee the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act 2009. The act is gender neutral and codifies the sexual offences in Scotland.
Crown Office Policy Division is in process of revising chapter 4 of the Manual, which relates to the law on sexual offences. There are various equality and technical issues which may need further training and the project board will be extending the scope of the project of implementation to review and update training on equality and transgender issues.
3.2. Finding a representative from the Chinese community to join EAG
Members noted that Marsha Scott will bring in a contact name from Chinese community.
3.3. Update from COPFS HR on current management initiatives.
Sandy Mackie circulated a paper about Disabled Staff - A Guide for Line Managers. The group began to examine this document in fine detail. Due to time pressures, it was agreed that Sandy and Susan Anderson would continue this work at a later date.
Sandy also spoke about the Management Charter which was created by the HR Director Janice Irvine. Sandy advised that the all the managers should try to meet the requirements of the charter. The new competency framework will be introduced which will help in meeting the competencies.
Members suggested that the most effective way to check on the managers is by doing litmus testing or mystery shoppers. Also noted was the fact that all the people in the photographs used in the charter are white.
3.4. Update from Policy on Meeting the Needs of Victims and Witnesses
Members noted that the final draft of the Policy is with the Lord Advocate for approval. Once approved it will be launch with the E-Learning module.
The approved policy will be circulated to members once published.
3.5. Update from Policy on Accessible Information policy
Karen Kennedy informed the members that the Accessible Information policy has been approved by the Crown Agent and senior management. Next step is to create a plan to implement the policy.
New Business
4. EAG Membership and Chair
4.1 Replacement for Kate Caskie
Members noted that Alan McCloskey will replace Kate Caskie and the Chair will invite him to the next meeting.
4.2 Succession Planning
The members noted that the Chair will step down from the EAG after the selection of a suitable candidate. The members noted that the criteria and job description will be set by August 2010. The main requirements will include someone who is a trustee of an organisation rather than a fieldworker. There was a suggestion of appointing a Deputy Chair as well.
5. Diversity programme for Senior Managers and Online Refresher Pack
5.1 Comments from Bill Gray
Karen Kennedy advised the members that the one day programme for senior managers is under way. Staff from the Scottish Court Service are invited to attend and have done so.
The online refresher programme was created to enable staff to keep themselves updated on equality and diversity issues, legislation and anything that impacts upon their work in COPFS. It does not replace the mandatory two day course but is considered an additional resource for staff. Staff are expected to complete the programme on an annual basis. Because it is an online course, it can be amended and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, policy and procedure.
Action Point: Tim Hopkins, Bruce Adamson and Marsha Scott will liaise with Karen Kennedy to improve the power point presentation and suggested amendments.
6. Hate Crime Policy
6.1 Update on Act
On behalf of Linda Cockburn, Lesley Shoniwa circulated the Crown Office Circular on Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009. The circular was considered and a few amendments were made.
Action Point: Elinor Kelly suggested a meeting for special discussion about outcome of cases where the charge is of Prejudice (Hate Crime).
6.2 Hate Crime Conference
Lesley Shoniwa informed the members that the Hate Crime Conference is taking place on 24 March 2010 at Police College in Tulliallan. This conference is a joint effort of ACPOS and COPFS and it will cover all sorts of hate crime elements.
7. AOCB -
7.1 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index
Members noted that the COPFS application for year 2010 was made and the organisation has improved by 23 points but unfortunately did not make it into the list of top 100 companies in the UK - Scottish Government was the only Scottish company to make the top 100. COPFS received very detailed feedback from Stonewall and plan to apply again next year.
8. Date and venue of next meeting and proposals for agenda
- 12 May 2010 venue in Dundee.