7. Access to civil justice: exchange of expertise and for advisors’ ‘advice helpline 7.1 Karen Grayson joined the meeting to introduce paper EHRC 73.06. This provided an update on how, in line with the 2017/18 Business Plan, the Commission was taking forward its work on access to justice in a new direction, by sharing its expertise on equality and human rights with advisors and those providing alternative dispute resolution services. This would involve a pilot for advisors’ helpline and online resources. ‘advice 7.2 Board members noted: that the proposals had been discussed across the Commission and external stakeholders had been (and continue to be) consulted, The proposal would also draw on advice from the Scotland, Wales and Disability Advisory Committees; b) the timeline for the roll out of the service, with a launch proposed for November 2017; c) the geographical (North West of England) of the regional element of the project. Board members felt that, on balance and given that this was a pilot project, this focus was justified. It was noted that as well as reflecting supply (the expertise and networks of primarily Commission staff) it also reflected demand: for example there was now only one law centre in Manchester, where there had previously been nine; d) the risks set out in the paper. The Board suggested no additional risks, and were content with the mitigations proposed. 7.3 Overall, Board members were content with progress and with the proposals for next steps. An update paper would be provided following evaluation of the pilot. (Action: Karen Grayson). 8. Measurement Framework update 8.1 Board members welcomed Verena Braehler and Andrea Murray to the meeting to present paper EHRC 73.07. The paper was a summary of the Commission’s Measurement Framework for Equality and Human Rights ahead of its launch in October 2017. 8.2 Board members noted the requirement under the Equality Act 2006 to monitor social outcomes from an equality and human rights perspective, and how this had been met by Britain Fairer” (2015) and predecessor publications. The “Is Framework will inform the next Britain Fairer” reviews, which in turn will be “Is used to influence other public bodies to improve equality and human rights outcomes, and the Commission’s own strategic plan.
7. Access to civil justice: exchange of expertise and ‘advice for advisors’ helpline 7.1 Karen Grayson joined the meeting to introduce paper EHRC 73.06. This provided an update on how, in line with the 2017/18 Business Plan, the Commission was taking forward its work on access to justice in a new direction, by sharing its expertise on equality and human rights with advisors and those providing alternative dispute resolution services. This would involve a pilot ‘advice for advisors’ helpline and online resources. 7.2 Board members noted: that the proposals had been discussed across the Commission and external stakeholders had been (and continue to be) consulted, The proposal would also draw on advice from the Scotland, Wales and Disability Advisory Committees; b) the timeline for the roll out of the service, with a launch proposed for November 2017; c) the geographical (North West of England) of the regional element of the project. Board members felt that, on balance and given that this was a pilot project, this focus was justified. It was noted that as well as reflecting supply (the expertise and networks of primarily Commission staff) it also reflected demand: for example there was now only one law centre in Manchester, where there had previously been nine; d) the risks set out in the paper. The Board suggested no additional risks, and were content with the mitigations proposed. 7.3 Overall, Board members were content with progress and with the proposals for next steps. An update paper would be provided following evaluation of the pilot. (Action: Karen Grayson). 8. Measurement Framework update 8.1 Board members welcomed Verena Braehler and Andrea Murray to the meeting to present paper EHRC 73.07. The paper was a summary of the Commission’s Measurement Framework for Equality and Human Rights ahead of its launch in October 2017. 8.2 Board members noted the requirement under the Equality Act 2006 to monitor social outcomes from an equality and human rights perspective, and how this had been met by “Is Britain Fairer” (2015) and predecessor publications. The Framework will inform the next “Is Britain Fairer” reviews, which in turn will be used to influence other public bodies to improve equality and human rights outcomes, and the Commission’s own strategic plan.
minutes_of_the_73rd_meeting_of_the_board_of_the_equality_and_human_rights_commission.docx