Local authorities have statutory obligations to consider equality in the United Kingdom (UK). The Equalities Assembly was set up by Leeds to ensure all diverse communities are involved in the council’s work and decision-making. It is a forum made up of Equality Hubs, which helps ensure Leeds City Council is engaging with and involving the full range of citizens that live in Leeds in the decisions it makes. There is an LGBT+ Equality Hub, a religion or belief hub as well as a disability hub run by the city, who meet to discuss issues that are important to them as well as provide feedback to the local authorities.
There are an additional three hubs run externally: a hub for older people, a culturally diverse hub and a women and girl’s hub.
There is also an Access and User-Ability group that works with the council and private developers to shape the city.
When the city is developing important policies it consults with the hubs, for example, on its housing strategy. This gives the city a unique insight and helps it to better plan. For example, a consultation with the LGBT+ hub on housing showed that many older LGBT+ people preferred city centre housing due to their particular experience and needs as they age.
Each year Leeds holds an Equality Assembly Conference which brings together the hubs to discuss key challenges and opportunities faced by groups across the city, listen to their contributions and let them have their say through round table discussions. The Assembly acts as the corporate consultation and involvement forum for equality, diversity and integration issues. It also acts as a forum to challenge the council’s progress on equality, diversity, cohesion and integration.
Public debates have also taken place regarding Cohesion, Counter Extremism and Prevention. The council also reports to have supported the running of ‘Real People, Honest Talk’, in partnership with Near Neighbours, providing an opportunity for different communities to gather and present on issues that were significant in their area. Topics included housing, discrimination, hate crime and perceptions of refugees. Cultural diversity has been discussed at length through city wide consultation, including Leeds Culture Strategy (hosted 1500 conversations) and Leeds 2023 (engaged with more than 3,000 residents).
