Warwickshire Pride are calling an 'emergency protest' this Friday (22 May).

The demonstration is taking place ahead of a Warwickshire County Council meeting, where councillors are expected to consider whether to consult on potential cuts to funding for the Equality & Inclusion Partnership (EQUIP).

The Reform UK administration at Warwickshire County Council is meeting on Friday to decide whether to consult on cutting funding to the Equality & Inclusion Partnership (EQUIP).

The consultation will inform a final Cabinet decision on the future of the service, including ending £135,372-a-year externally commissioned equalities service delivered by EQuIP.

A decision is expected to be made before the end of 2026.

The proposal is based on "the financial pressures facing the Council and the pressing need to identify savings before the next Medium Term Financial Strategy round (for  2027/2028 delivery) with a focus on discretionary services;" and "commissioning and funding an external equalities service is not a priority for the Council."

EQUIP is a local organisation that supports victims of hate crime, handles discrimination cases, and provides services across a broad range of equality and inclusion issues. Warwickshire Pride and other community groups say the organisation plays a vital role across the county and works closely with local partners.

Organisers of the protest say they are concerned that the consultation process is largely procedural and fear that a decision to reduce or remove funding has already been effectively made.

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Warwickshire Pride shared: "We know that the consultation is a box tick exercise because Reform councillors have already made their mind up. They want rid of EQUIP.

"This is Reform's latest attack on equalities as they push forward with their agenda to stop all equalities work at Warwickshire County Council.

"Please join us, other people in the community from across the equalities spectrum, and councillors from other political parties as we protest against Reform's actions.

"We will then sit in the public meeting to listen to the discussion and decision that Reform makes...

"Now is the time for direct action and fighting back against Reform's attempts to withdraw support and erase us."

One of the risks and implications of the proposal lined out in the Council agenda is: "ceasing to externally commission an equalities service could affect vulnerable groups and carries foreseeable equalities impacts."

Also "Ceasing to externally commission an equalities service could affect vulnerable groups and carries foreseeable equalities impacts."

The current service, which is a non-statutory service, is delivered by EQuIP. It started on 1 October 2022 and ends on 31 March 2027.

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Nub News has approached Warwickshire County Council for comment and is awaiting response.