Four-and-a-half months on from protests and police involvement and the public finally has its chance to comment on Warwickshire County Council plans to scrap an equalities service.

Warwickshire's Equality & Inclusion Partnership (EQuIP) receives a £135,000-per-year grant – more than 60 per cent of its annual income – from the county council to provide discrimination and hate crime support and equalities training through community and faith groups, businesses, schools and the public sector.

An eight-week consultation on pulling all of that money was initially given the go-ahead by the county's portfolio holder for resources and internal affairs Cllr Mike Bannister in a febrile public-facing decision on May 22.

A 30-strong protest convened on the steps of Shire Hall, Warwick, ahead of the decision with allegations of discriminatory remarks being directed at protestors raised in that meeting and subsequently reported to Warwickshire Police.

The force confirmed it was investigating a hate crime which focused on two alleged perpetrators but the case is now filed, meaning work has ceased unless and until sufficient information or evidence comes forward to warrant fresh consideration.

Cllr Bannister confirmed in September's full council meeting that he had been one of those investigated, adding that there had been "no evidence whatsoever" against him.

Delays

The decision to start the consultation was 'called in' by county councillors – the formal process they can trigger to challenge decisions – in June.

After two hours discussing concerns over why other voluntary sector funding arrangements had not been considered for the cut, why no value for money comparison had been done and the view that Reform councillors had already made up their minds without considering feedback, a scrutiny panel voted against halting the consultation.

Instead, it was requested that panel members view and comment on the consultation document before it went live, stressing the need for "maximising participation".

Documents informing the May decision set out plans to roll out the consultation in June, providing an eight-week window for the public to comment and another eight weeks for council officers – the county's employed professionals – to report on the feedback.

However, despite scrutiny not standing in the way when it met on June 12, it took until Monday, October 12, for the consultation to appear.

Warwickshire County Council's press release included a statement from Cllr Bannister which read: "We understand that considering changes to the services we commission can create uncertainty for people who use them and the organisations that work alongside them.

"Like many councils, we are facing significant financial pressures and need to look carefully at how we deliver services in the future.

"It is important that we hear from people who may be affected. No decisions have been made and we will consider the feedback carefully before deciding on the next steps.

"The feedback will help us understand the potential impact of any changes and inform our thinking about the future."

How to take part

The consultation can be accessed online via the county council's Ask Warwickshire platform: ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/bi/equalities-service

Different formats or support can be requested by phoning 01926 412381 or emailing [email protected]

That same email address can be used for direct written responses which can also be posted to Community Partnerships Service, Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, CV34 4RL.

An easy read version of the online format can be accessed by visiting: ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/bi/equalities-service-easy-read