See answers to previous information requests

I am interested in issues of gender sexuality inclusion in the authority area.
For the last year up to date, but inclusive of information and documents from work which may have begun before this period and is still being pursued by the council.
(For example, a project to devise an action plan may have begun in 2020, but plans may still be used by the council now)

1. Could you please outline an projects undertaken to increase inclusion in regards to gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues generally

The council has an equality programme and an annual equality action plan, as part of this work we have done the following:
• Launched a diversity calendar through which we mark various awareness or celebratory days internally and externally, including Pride month.
• Launched new L&D options for staff including e-learning on LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Trans and non-binary Inclusion
• Held 3 bitesize sessions (last year) on LGBTQ+ inclusion, including workplace inclusion, supporting children and young people, and inclusive language
• Supported the creation of the Independent Wokingham Borough Equality Forum, which includes representation from Wokingham Pride and Support U
• Provided funding to the Equality Forum to issue small community grants to support grassroots activity – the Equality Forum awarded £500 to Wokingham Pride to support their events.

Library events:
• Periodic displays of LGBTQIA+ books in libraries
• Blogs and reading lists recommending LGBTQIA+ books
• Online play lists of music by LGBTQIA+ artists
• Displaying Pride flags
• In summer 2022 our libraries hosted a Drag Queen Storytime

2. Could you please outline an policies relating to inclusion in regards to gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues generally, and any particular guidance for staff used (perhaps from an outside body) or devised by the authority itself - and can you provide examples of this
We have an Equal Opportunities Policy and an Inclusive Language guide.

3. If possible, could you provide a cost breakdown from 2020 on spend to date on the following:
• Pride flags
• Rainbow crossing
• Badges or pins related to LGBTQIA+ (pronoun badges for example)
• Pride march expenses broken down in as much detail as possible
• Drag queen events (story horus for example)
• School events overseen by the council in some way
Library events:
Drag Queen Storytimes – summer 2022 - £450

4.For the above work to, gender, sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues generally, can you please provide information any grants received by the council to pursue this work, or any payments or grants made by the council to pursue this work (for example, charities with expertise in this area)
As above with regard to community grants issued by the Equality Forum.
The Bitesize learning events delivered last year cost £1000 with Wokingham based company Learn LGBTQIA+

5. Can you also detail any outside advice of consultation offered or procured for all issues detailed above, i.e, boosting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in libraries and museums
Libraries have no further information to provide.