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Cover paper, Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report 2025

Summary

Agency board report number: SEPA 24/25 - 046

Under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012, every two years SEPA is required to report on mainstreaming the equality duty and progress made to achieve our equality outcomes. The next report is due for publication by 30 April 2025.

This paper provides the Agency Board with the draft Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report 2025 (Annex 1) and the People Information Report 2025 (Annex 2), and associated timelines. Annex 1 and Annex 2 are in draft form and will not be published on SEPA’s website with the Board papers.

1. Introduction

1.1.    The Public Sector Equality Duty (or general duty) in the Equality Act 2010 means Scottish Authorities must have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations.

1.2.    Furthermore, the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 sets out how listed public authorities (one of which being SEPA) should demonstrate performance of the general duty. 

1.3.    We must report on progress we are making to mainstreaming equality, inclusion and human rights in our decision making, and as an employer, and give an update on progress against the equality outcomes that we set for 2022-2026. This should be carried out every two years. Our next Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report is due for publication on our website by 30 April 2025.

1.4.    We have structured the Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report 2025 into six sections to comply with the Scottish specific duties:

• Section 1 - Mainstreaming the equality duty (including leadership and governance, policies and procedures, public procurement, service delivery and learning and development).
• Section 2 - Equality outcomes and progress.
• Section 3 - Information about our people.  
• Section 4 - Information on board diversity and succession planning.
• Section 5 - Pay gaps and equal pay
• Section 6 - Statements on equal pay – our Equal Pay Policy.   

1.5.    To streamline and compliment the report, we have gathered some of our people information and added this into a separate People Information Report 2025.

2. Overview

2.1.    This report has been developed using information gathered from across the organisation in accordance with the Scottish Specific duties. This includes our employee data and how we have used that information, extracts from the Chief Executive’s report to the Board, communications on equality related activities, feedback from the equality oversight group and our lived experienced groups, and progress we have made on new equality policies and Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessments. Case studies/key highlights are used to reflect the impact of our mainstreaming efforts and progressing towards our outcomes.  

2.2.    There was an opportunity for CLT, the Equality Oversight Group and the People and Resources Committee to provide feedback on the draft report.

2.3.    The report is part of the ‘golden thread’ aligning with our Corporate Plan, our Annual Operating Plan and our wider strategy, planning and performance framework. It is heavily reliant on robust data/evidence and key measures, as such, we need to be cognisant of the challenges we are facing in this area.

2.4.    The report is written in line with organisational accessibility requirements, and when publishing online will be digitally accessible.  Our Communications team will also look at the overall design and add in a variety of diverse photography to compliment the report. 

3. Summary timeline

October 2024

• Core team establishment
• Data and information gathering
• Case study development
• Engagement/consultation – Equality Oversight Group, People and Remuneration Committee

November 2024

• Narrative development

December 2024

• Draft internal design

January 2025

• Approval – Corporate Leadership Team 

February 2025

• Approval – People and Resources Committee (via circulation)

February 2025

• Final design
• Approval – Agency Board

March 2025

• Accessibility checks

April 2025

• Publication

4. Recommendations

4.1.    The Board is asked to approve the draft Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report 2025 and the draft People Information Report 2025 for publication.