Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Draft Strategy Research

Overall

There is very little disagreement from online respondents and workshop participants with the aims of the draft EDI mission statement, or the suggested priority areas of the draft EDI strategy documentation. Those involved in this consultation would like to hear more about the actual actions and policies that will come from the strategy and be consulted again as the process continues.

Engagement and consultation

• Around half of respondents (online survey) feel that PCC engages with them and their community at least a ‘moderate amount’
• The main barrier to taking part is lack of information. People don’t know about the consultations they can be involved in
• A variety of channels is essential to broaden the reach of current communication methods including using social media to better effect (younger platforms, piggy-backing on other organisations’ pages/feeds etc.) and ensuring marketing is relevant, concise and customised to each target group
• Currently there is a feeling that the same people take part every time and it is not an inclusive or diverse cohort. They are already known to PCC whereas it is the people unknown to PCC who need to be encouraged to take part
• The other key element is to feedback to those who engage, and report on progress widely and loudly, so people feel their views are valued

Responsive services and customer care

• Just over half of respondents (online survey) find it easy to access PCC services and council-run facilities
• Amongst those who find it difficult, a lack of information about what is available, and how to find out about it is the main barrier
• Some find the civic offices to be inaccessible, both for practical and more psychological reasons

Discrimination and micro-aggressions

• Around 20% of respondents (online survey) feel they have experienced discrimination and micro-aggressions based on protected characteristics

Participation in public life and job opportunities

Public life

• Nearly 60% of respondents (online survey) are unaware of the eligibility criteria for becoming a local councillor
• Only 16% would consider getting involved in local politics or becoming a councillor
• The main barriers to involvement in local politics are the perceived lack of integrity, not knowing much about it, and a fear that they would not be able to effect real change

Job opportunities

• ‘Hybrid working’ and ‘giving something back’ are very motivating for those who say that they do want to work for the council, AND for those who might be persuaded
• ‘Starting salary’ and ‘hybrid working’ are the top two motivating factors for those who say that they do want to work for the council
• ‘Hybrid working’ and ‘training opportunities’ are the top two motivating factors for those who might be persuaded to work for the council
• Barriers to working at the council include a lack of diversity in the current workforce and a non-inclusive working culture
• Simplified application processes and inclusive job advertising would help to overcome some barriers
• Many suggest making the most out of the skills and expertise available in non-traditional working roles e.g. part-time consultants, volunteering

• Explore reactions to the current draft strategy section by section i.e. its priorities and assumptions, proposed practical implementations, and any gaps in its coverage
• Gather insights from those directly affected, or representing those directly affected, by discrimination or inequality of opportunity to inform the strategy document further

We took a mixed methodology approach to meet the research objectives comprising two workshop style focus groups and a complementary online survey. We also held an informal workshop with members of the Youth Cabinet.

FOCUS GROUPS / WORKSHOPS

The focus groups/workshops were recruited via groups previously engaged with by the EDI team.

• Workshop one took place in the civic offices on Thursday 26th January 2023 17:00-19:00
• Workshop two took place in the civic offices on Friday 27th January 2023 14:30-16:30
• The Youth Cabinet took part in an informal EDI workshop on Tuesday 7th February 2023

ONLINE SURVEY

Given the sensitive nature of the subject and the need to consult with a wide cross-section of people, the online survey allowed interested parties to share views privately and also facilitated completion rates by those with certain disabilities or other protected characteristics that might have made it difficult for them to attend an in person focus group.

The online survey was shared with existing lists or groups of residents with protected characteristics and by the use of snowball recruitment from the focus group/workshop attendees (i.e. participants asking their wider circle of acquaintances to complete the survey) and posting the link on some of those groups’ social media pages.

The focus groups/workshops were recruited via groups previously engaged with by the EDI team. In total 28 people attended the workshops, plus 10 members of the Youth Cabinet.

The online survey was available to complete from January 25th to February 10th, 2023 and 263 respondents took part.