For many years we have taken advice from an external North York Moors Disability Advisory Group that provided external insight and challenge on disabled access in the National Park.
Taking account of the broader challenges to National Parks on equality, diversity and inclusion issues, the scope of this group has been widened and we now have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group, which meets quarterly.
Part of the new EDI Group's remit is to ensure that accessing our services and employment is as easy as possible as well as breaking down the barriers that can get in the way of people from all backgrounds being able to enjoy the National Park. It will also ensure that the Authority is properly linked with existing groups that cover the National Park area such as the North Yorkshire Equality and Inclusion Partnership and Whitby, Scarborough and Ryedale DAG.
The position of the EDI Group will be formalised as an advisory group within our governance structure, with Members appointed to the group at our AGM and clear terms of reference laid out in the Scheme of Delegation.