FOI request (FOIR-344172560)

Diversity study within local authorities

Requested Wed 23 June 2021
Responded  Mon 09 August 2021

I am looking at specific roles in different industries to ascertain whether organisations have shown progression. To get a barometer I am asking about diversity in a specific department before June 2020 and at 3 month intervals subsequently.

Across local authorities in England, I am focusing specifically on planning departments - as part of my architecture industry analysis.

Has there been any recruitment within the team since June 2020 in permanent positions?

What was the ethnicity of planning officers and managers in permanent positions at Hastings Borough Council at start of June 2020 and also September 2020, December 2020, March 2021, June 2021 (if there has been recruitment of permanent staff at any point)?

Has there been any recruitment of temporary or fixed term planning officers since June 2020, if so what is the number of recruits, ethnicity and gender?

I am mindful that not all elements of this question may be relevant, but please respond in full to enable like for like comparison across local authorities.

The intention is to get a sense of if, and how quickly, organisations have responded or changed practices.

Response

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

Has there been any recruitment within the team since June 2020 in permanent positions?

Answer: Yes

What was the ethnicity of planning officers and managers in permanent positions at Hastings Borough Council at start of June 2020 and also September 2020, December 2020, March 2021, June 2021 (if there has been recruitment of permanent staff at any point)?

Answer:

June 2020 - 80% white British, 20% prefer not to say, 94% female staff

September 2020 - No change

December 2020 - Recruitment Additional 1 permanent male, 75% white British, 25% prefer not to say, 87.5% female staff

March 2021 - No change

June 2021 - Recruitment 1 replacement female, 1 new female both permanent, 71% white British, 29% prefer not to say, 88% female staff

Has there been any recruitment of temporary or fixed term planning officers since June 2020, if so what is the number of recruits, ethnicity and gender?

Answer: No