Committee
Equal Opportunities Committee, 04 May 2004
04 May 2004 · S2 · Equal Opportunities Committee
Item of business
Budget Process 2005-06
I have a couple of questions on specific communities' targets. Target 4 of the communities' portfolio states: "We will demonstrate that we are closing the opportunity gap for disadvantaged communities in respect of key outcomes for education, health, justice, transport, housing and jobs".The target uses the term "disadvantaged communities" and not "disadvantaged groups". Can you explain the rationale that underpins the target? How might it impact more generally on equality groups? Is there a case for a similar approach to be taken for equality groups themselves?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Convener:
LD
For agenda item 3, I welcome Margaret Curran, the Minister for Communities, who is accompanied by Yvonne Strachan, Ewa Hibbert, Helen Mansbridge and Richard ...
The Minister for Communities (Ms Margaret Curran):
Lab
I remember coming in late once when I was a committee convener and being in a panic about the constitutional position with regard to chairing meetings. I am ...
Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD):
LD
Not surprisingly, you have dwelt at some length on the subject that I wanted to ask about. In your introductory remarks, you said that people have expressed ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I broadly share his confidence, but I do not want to be complacent about things. We still need to be vigilant in pursuing that end.This brings us back to the...
Margaret Smith:
LD
You have rather anticipated my second question. Do you think that there are equality outcomes and agendas to be driven forward in the AER's overall prioritie...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Absolutely.
Margaret Smith:
LD
Are you still working alongside the ministers of those departments to ensure that they take those agendas forward?
Ms Curran:
Lab
Yes. It is not possible to revitalise democracy or grow the economy without an equality agenda. That simply cannot be done, so even if we were to neglect it,...
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
Target 16 of the communities section of the AER sets out the Executive's intention to promote equality mainstreaming within the Scottish Executive and throug...
Ms Curran:
Lab
There are, I hope, a lot—I hear somebody whispering to Yvonne Strachan that I will ask her to come up with quite a number. There is a range of initiatives ab...
Yvonne Strachan (Scottish Executive Development Department):
Thank you, minister. There are two or three levels at which we promote equal opportunities. We are talking about the budget level today, but on policy, we wo...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
It sounds as though there is a huge amount going on. How content are you with the pace of development of the mainstreaming agenda?
Ms Curran:
Lab
As Yvonne Strachan was talking, I whispered "best value". We have made progress in that what are now standard regimes of best value incorporate equality. Tho...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
I would like to ask more about best value. Target 1 of the finance and public services targets states that, at the end of the month, the Executive will have ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Here I go, opening my big mouth about best value as if I am somehow an expert on it. I have to admit that I am not an expert on best value. I turn to my offi...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
It is something that was not considered years ago, as you said.
Ms Curran:
Lab
Absolutely. Progress is being made, but I am not sure of the exact position. Can you answer that, Richard?
Richard Wilkins (Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department):
Yes.
Ms Curran:
Lab
Thank you.
Richard Wilkins:
However, I am not sure of the exact position. As the AER says, the first audit began in January, and there is a rolling programme of best-value audits. We wi...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
Thank you. That would be helpful. The committee also notes that the Environment and Rural Affairs Department, the Finance and Central Services Department, th...
Ms Curran:
Lab
My position, which sometimes differs from that of other people, is that equality can be found in every agenda. Every policy and institution has an equality d...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
If equality does not appear under a main heading—I understand your explanation of why it might not—we need strong, motivated people to check up all the time,...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Absolutely.
Ms White:
SNP
I am pleased to be here today. Thanks for inviting me along to the committee. Good morning, Margaret. We seem to be following each other around. You have app...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Ewa Hibbert probably knows more of the detail—I believe that she spoke at an international conference on the matter a couple of weeks ago.I was perhaps not c...
Ewa Hibbert (Scottish Executive Development Department):
Various studies have been done in other parts of the world, from which we are learning lessons. Some countries have attempted to carry out exercises on too l...
Ms White:
SNP
I understand that it is wise to concentrate on three or four smaller issues. You say that the smoking study will analyse the needs of men and women, but will...
Ewa Hibbert:
I cannot give more detail about the sports pilot study at present because we are waiting for the Scottish women's budget group to provide us with further ide...
Ms White:
SNP
So you will produce the findings and perhaps set up a working group to discuss them.