York Reinforces Commitment to Human Rights and Equalities with Revamped Board Structure

Photo: Councillor Katie Lomas
In a significant step towards enhancing human rights and equalities in York, the City of York Council's Executive Committee is poised to endorse a restructured approach for the York Human Rights and Equalities Board. This development comes as a result of extensive discussions aimed at mending the rift between the Council and the York Human Rights City Network, a fallout that originated from contentious City Centre Access decisions in 2021.

The overhaul is set to reconstitute an expert group positioned to contribute across a wide spectrum of equalities policy areas. Notably, the revamped board will harness the expertise of the globally recognised Centre for Applied Human Rights. This collaboration is expected to significantly refine the Council’s Human Rights and Equalities Analysis (HREA) and bolster human rights training initiatives.

Councillor Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects and Equalities, emphasised the Council's dedication to equitable opportunities and human rights. "Our mission, underlined by the 'One City, for all' commitment in our Council Plan, is to stand firm against hatred and actively promote the welfare of our communities," Lomas stated.

This initiative traces its roots back to April 2017, when York was declared the UK’s first Human Rights City. This declaration was a pledge towards continuous improvement, placing human rights and equalities at the forefront of city policymaking. A report in January 2023 reaffirmed this commitment, marking a new phase of collaboration with the York Human Rights City Network and introducing a refreshed structure for the Human Rights and Equalities Board.

Upon the reassembly of the Board and the implementation of the new Human Rights and Equalities Analysis, the Council aims to allocate dedicated resources for Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights. This move seeks to fulfil statutory equalities and human rights obligations, including the provision of supplementary training to support these responsibilities.

Cllr Lomas further highlighted the importance of this initiative amidst the current economic challenges. "As we rebuild partnerships and work towards the goals of our plan, it is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind, particularly in these financially strenuous times for both the Council and the residents of York," she added.

The Council's commitment to revitalising its approach to human rights and equalities signals a renewed effort to address and alleviate the impacts of inequality within the community, ensuring that York remains a city that truly embodies its human rights ethos.