Agenda item

Report of the Chief Strategy Officer.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Chief Strategy Officer, concerning the City Corporation’s result and ranking for the Social Mobility Employer Index for 2024.

A Member queried what could be done to push the initiatives in departments including Environment Department and Department of Community and Children’s Services, noting that Environment Department had a wide range of employees. The Sub-Committee heard that the Equalities Director was in early conversations with the Executive Director of Environment, focusing on the diversity of the workforce and the challenges and barriers, to develop a plan together.

Members raised that the number of employers part of the Social Mobility Foundation had not expanded further. It was noted that it was a question of whether the City Corporation was utilising its convening power with sufficient impact. This topic would further be expanded upon in the next item.

It was questioned why the City Corporation’s ranking in the Social Mobility Index had fluctuated throughout the years. The response was that the approach to the Social Mobility Index had changed over time, including how the submission was structured which may have contributed to the fluctuation. In terms of aims for next year’s submission, this depended on the City Corporation’s capability to reach them.

RESOLVED – That the report be received, and its contents noted.