Equality and diversity > Task and Finish Group

CILIPS Library and Information Services Committee: Equality and Diversity Task and Finish Group

Aim

The purpose of this section is to brief members on the Equality and Diversity Task and Finish Group. It contains information about the membership and remit of the Group together with a likely timetable for work progress.

Introduction and Background

Members will recall the adoption by CILIP of an equal opportunities and diversity statement which included a set of priorities for action. Following discussion of the statement, LIS Committee had proposed a task and finish group should take this forward in a Scottish context. Equal opportunities is a 'reserved' matter for Westminster so Scotland shares the primary legislation with the rest of the UK. However, some aspects of equal opportunities, particularly in regard to its promotion and observance, are devolved. Also, where equal opportunities stray into the functions and operations of public bodies, then that too is devolved. The Scottish Parliament has, on occasion, added equal opportunities provisions to Acts on other topics, e.g. mental health. Finally, the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils' Educational Records) (Scotland) is one example of an act specific to Scotland.

Membership of the Group

Patricia Grant has agreed to chair the Group and Catherine Kearney will service it on behalf of CILIPS. Other members are Isobel Hood and Helen Melone.

Remit of the Group

The Group will meet no more than 3 times to review the CILIP Equal opportunities and Diversity Statement from a Scottish standpoint and will gather examples of good practice in the wording of such statements from a range of other organisations. The Group is expected to conclude its work and issue a final report with recommendations by June 2005