Consultation on proposal to cease external commissioning of an Equalities Service

Overview

• What is being proposed? Warwickshire County Council is consulting on ceasing to externally commission an Equalities Service. The current equalities service is provided by the Equality and Inclusion Partnership (EQuIP).
   
• Why are we consulting? The consultation will gather feedback on the proposal and the implications, in particular on current and potential future users of the service. It will help the Council to better understand possible reasons and arguments for retaining an externally commissioned Equalities Service, and to explore possible alternative ways that the outcomes of the service might be achieved.
   
• Who can take part? The consultation exercise is open to all members of the public. Those who currently use, or have used the service, and partner organisations who work with the Council, are particularly encouraged to participate. 

At this consultation stage, no decisions have been made, and there is nothing that cannot be changed. The consultation will inform a final decision by the Council's Cabinet.

See below for more information on the proposal and how to respond. This includes paper copies, Easy Read and how to ask for other formats or support.

More information

Please read the Information Document below. This explains the following: 

• Background information
• What the service does
• What we are consulting about
• Why we are consulting

Documents and supporting information

The following information is also provided to help you to consider the proposal and respond to the consultation.
(These links will open in a new tab or window).

1. Equality Act 2010, protected characteristics
2. Service specification - This describes what the service aims to achieve.
3. Initial draft Equality Impact Assessment - This considers the potential equalities implications of the possible decision to cease externally commissioning the service. The consultation will help to inform and build on this draft assessment and a final version will be considered by the Council's Cabinet when it makes the decision on the future of the service.
4. Service annual report - This reports on the achievement of the service against any indicators set out in the service specification.
5. Quarterly performance monitoring report October 2025 to December 2025 - This reports on specific service activities from October 2025 to December 2025.
6. Chief Finance Officer’s Statutory Report (Section 25 statement), February 2026 This provides the Chief Finance Officer's assessment of budget estimates and reserves.

How to take part

• Complete the online consultation survey
  Click the link in the green box below.
   
• Ask for another format or support
  Let us know if you need a paper copy, large print copy, another format or language, or support to complete the survey:
  - Email - communityconversations@warwickshire.gov.uk
  - Telephone 01926 412381
   
• If you need Easy Read click on this link
  (Easy Read uses pictures, clear layout and easy to follow wording for people with learning disabilities and others who find standard text difficult to read.) 
   
• You can also respond directly. 
  Email communityconversations@warwickshire.gov.uk or write to: Community Partnerships Service, Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, CV34 4RL.

One-to-one conversations will also take place with Equalities’ professionals across the public sector and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VSCE) sectors (and private sector where applicable), to include Health, Police, and Borough/District Councils. 

What will happen after the consultation

Following the consultation all feedback will be analysed and it is intended that a report will be provided to the Council's Cabinet so that a decision on the future of the service can be made.