Agenda item

12.1

The Chief Executive submitted a report setting out the Council’s response to the report of the Fairness Commission ‘Making Sheffield Fairer’.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the Fairness Commission’s report ‘Making Sheffield Fairer’ and thanks Professor Alan Walker and all the other Commissioners for all their hard work in producing a comprehensive document;

(b)

agrees the response attached to the report; and

(c)

agrees to incorporate the 10 principles of the Sheffield Fairness Framework within the Council’s next Corporate Plan.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The recommendations demonstrated the Council’s commitment to fairness and tackling inequalities in the City. The proposed response included the action the Council was taking on each of the recommendations that were relevant to the organisation.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

An alternative option in responding to the Fairness Commission report would be to make fewer commitments on the Council’s approach to implementing the Commission’s recommendations. However, the Council wanted to make a real impact on unfairness in the City.

12.4.2

At the other end of the spectrum an option would be to commit to implementing all of the Fairness Commission’s recommendations immediately. However, this option would have significant financial implications. The Fairness Commission recommendations were deliberately aspirational and some could only be achieved over the longer term.

12.4.3

The response provided a balance between beginning the implementation process and the financial implications. The Council will be feeding the Commission’s work in to future budget planning discussions to ensure that the fairness agenda and the recommendations were part of those budget discussions.

12.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

12.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

12.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

John Mothersole, Chief Executive

12.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

12.1

The Chief Executive submitted a report setting out the Council’s response to the report of the Fairness Commission ‘Making Sheffield Fairer’.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the Fairness Commission’s report ‘Making Sheffield Fairer’ and thanks Professor Alan Walker and all the other Commissioners for all their hard work in producing a comprehensive document;

(b)

agrees the response attached to the report; and

(c)

agrees to incorporate the 10 principles of the Sheffield Fairness Framework within the Council’s next Corporate Plan.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The recommendations demonstrated the Council’s commitment to fairness and tackling inequalities in the City. The proposed response included the action the Council was taking on each of the recommendations that were relevant to the organisation.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

An alternative option in responding to the Fairness Commission report would be to make fewer commitments on the Council’s approach to implementing the Commission’s recommendations. However, the Council wanted to make a real impact on unfairness in the City.

12.4.2

At the other end of the spectrum an option would be to commit to implementing all of the Fairness Commission’s recommendations immediately. However, this option would have significant financial implications. The Fairness Commission recommendations were deliberately aspirational and some could only be achieved over the longer term.

12.4.3

The response provided a balance between beginning the implementation process and the financial implications. The Council will be feeding the Commission’s work in to future budget planning discussions to ensure that the fairness agenda and the recommendations were part of those budget discussions.