Minute 516 ((Agenda Item No. 11, Cabinet report circulated separately)

Called-in by Councillors Aylen, K Evans, F Evans, Boyd, Davidson and Salter

The Committee considered Minute 516 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 5^th November 2019 which had been called in to Scrutiny, concerning the Notice of Motion relating to Gender Neutral Language in the Council.

Resolved:-

1. That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. That male universals, such as ‘chairman’, be removed from the constitution, policies and all written and verbal communications and be replaced with gender-neutral terms, such as ‘chair’.

2. Desist from making reference to a person’s marital status unless they expressly request it is included.

3. That gender-neutral language be used where an individual’s sex or social gender are not relevant or not known.

4. That these changes be communicated to all departments and members of staff within Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert

At the meeting of the Council held on 24^th October 2019, Councillors received a Notice of Motion relating to Gender Neutral Language in the Council. The motion was proposed by Councillor McDonald and seconded by Cllr Dent (this had been referred to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8.4).

Resolved:-

1. That male universals, such as ‘chairman’, be removed from the constitution, policies and all written and verbal communications and be replaced with gender-neutral terms, such as ‘chair’.

2. Desist from making reference to a person’s marital status unless they expressly request it is included.

3. That gender-neutral language be used where an individual’s sex or social gender are not relevant or not known.

4. That these changes be communicated to all departments and members of staff within Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Reason for decision:

To respond to the motion.

Other Options:

The Cabinet could respond to the motion in a different way.

Note: This is an Executive function.

Eligible for call-in to: Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert

At the meeting of the Council held on 24^th October 2019, Councillors received a Notice of Motion relating to Gender Neutral Language in the Council. The motion was proposed by Councillor McDonald and seconded by Cllr Dent (this had been referred to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8.4).

Resolved:-

1. That male universals, such as ‘chairman’, be removed from the constitution, policies and all written and verbal communications and be replaced with gender-neutral terms, such as ‘chair’.

2. Desist from making reference to a person’s marital status unless they expressly request it is included.

3. That gender-neutral language be used where an individual’s sex or social gender are not relevant or not known.

4. That these changes be communicated to all departments and members of staff within Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Reason for decision:

To respond to the motion.

Other Options:

The Cabinet could respond to the motion in a different way.

Note: This is an Executive function.

Called-in to: Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert