EPBPAG meeting
Capita Centre Monday 14 June 2005 1 pm
Present:
David Thomson Equality Unit
Sonja Tihvernainen Equality Unit
Suzanne Rennie Equality Unit
Diane Elson University of Essex
Kay Simpson Equality Unit
Rhona Fitzgerald Scottish Women's Budget Group
Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University
Jackie Walder Expenditure Policy
Tim Hopkins Equality Network
Welcomes
- Round table introductions and welcome by David
Minutes of last Meeting
- The minutes of the last meeting were approved. It was noted that John Aldridge should have been down as 'Finance Director, SE'. It was agreed that Audit Scotland should be invited to a future EPBPAG meeting.
Update on Pilots from Kay
- Kay gave a brief overview of the project and gave an update on work undertaken so far. Kay explained that EPBPAG advises the Executive on equality proofing budget work and that the advisory group had selected sport and smoking amongst young girls as the pilots to be considered for the project. The purpose of the project is to determine the link between policy work and resources available.
- Kay explained that the first stage of the project, the literature review, is now complete and that interviews are being conducted to trace the links between policy and resources. Once these are completed there will be an evaluation of the pilots, from which guidance will be produced for finance officials. A report of findings will be produced at the end of the project.
Presentation from Diane Elson
- Diane gave a brief overview to Tim (as everyone else had been at the morning meeting) on the Budget, Policies and Programmes model. Diane suggested that the group should perhaps look at what type of woman is likely to be most disadvantaged, e.g young, deprived woman. The group felt that, politically, this would be really helpful. Diane emphasised, however, that this 'typical' person would vary across different programmes.
- The group felt it would be useful to flag this 'typical group' up to politicians, though Tim noted that although this would be politically helpful the group must remember that various other, equally important, equality strands also exist.
- Ailsa asked Diane how to get over the message to public bodies that resources are being re-allocated to give another body greater responsibility. Diane suggested there are a number of options:
1) if it is new money, public bodies may bid for the extra funds in competition style
2) if it is for the same money, public bodies should be able to prove that they are delivering on outcomes and meeting targets, through reporting.
- Diane used a South African phrase 'Re-prioritisation of spending' to help explain what gender budgeting is all about.
- It was agreed that being aware of Best Value for Money is the most important concept. The group thought that there was a need to reward Local Authorities and public bodies for effective gender budgeting and producing positive outcomes as this would encourage them to consider gender in their budget. If a fear culture is created ( i.e if there is a threat that funding will be reduced if targets are not met) initiatives will not then be driven forward.
- The group felt the success of SportScotland, in increasing female participation, should be highlighted as a good news story. It was suggested that the project could contain a background paper on Active Schools Co-ordinators and one on the reducing gender gap in sport.
Any Other Business
- Future Meetings - It was noted that Rhona Fitzgerald is the new Chair of the Scottish Women's Budget Group and that Ailsa McKay will be representing Glasgow Caledonian University at EPBPAG meetings from now on.
Future Meetings
- The beginning of September was suggested for the next meeting. Need to ensure a date is set when Jackie will be able to attend so that the Draft Budget can be discussed.