What we asked
The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain whether residents and organisations within º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute agreed with the Equality Outcomes we had drafted to cover the period 2025-2029.
Legislation requires us to develop Equality Outcomes. In preparing these, we must take reasonable steps to involve people who share relevant protected characteristics and people who represent the interests of people with protected characteristics.  
What the response was
There was a total of 24 responses, 20 from individuals and 4 from organisations. The headline response was in favour of the equality outcomes proposed:
The public consultation was published on the council’s website and publicised through the council’s weekly ‘º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute News Round Up’ email. In addition, organisations known to the Community Development team were emailed to promote the consultation with the intent to reach community groups working with individuals who have one or more of the nine protected characteristics.
Two responses out of the 24 disagreed with all the equality outcomes. One of these was on the basis that making things ‘easier’ for people with protected characteristics will build resentment between them and other groups because this was not seen as equality. The other was on the basis that the outcomes rely too heavily on third sector organisations for their delivery and these are not council led.
While the majority of respondents agreed with the outcomes we had drafted, some suggestions were received. These suggestions were of two types. The first suggested changes to the wording and scope of the outcomes themselves. The second related to the kinds of actions required to deliver the outcomes.
What was decided as a result of the response
We reworded 3 of the 6 proposed outcomes.
Several responses to the public consultation raised concerns that reference to protected characteristics in the outcomes was too limiting and that actions should extend to groups who experience serious deprivation and poverty. However, the wording of the equality outcomes, and specific reference to protected characteristics has been retained because this reflects the requirements of the PSED. Equality outcomes are not delivered as an alternative to work the council already does to address issues relating to deprivation and poverty.
Some comments were received in response to the rationale behind the outcome. These related to the need to maintain single sex spaces, domestic violence against men, and types of bullying to be addressed. As these relate to specifics around work being carried out, these responses will be considered in more detail as we develop an action plan to support the delivery of these outcomes.
The new Equality Outcomes were approved by the Policy and Resources Committee on 20 February 2025 and have been published in our Equality Mainstreaming Report 2025.
