Equality and Diversity Consultation
Table of contents
- Foreword
- Our consultation
- Our equality and diversity policy
- Who is responsible?
- Our equality action plan
- Principles and key actions
- Have your say on our policy
Foreword
We launched our Equality and Diversity Policy in 2021 and the aim was to create something that would make a difference to the lives of our diverse borough. Since the launch of the policy we have delivered over 55 actions as part of the plan, ranging from training all staff on equality and diversity to creating digital channels such as webchat that allows residents to contact and communicate with us in different languages.
We are now three years on from the first policy and we are now ready to review it to ensure it is up to date and relevant. It’s also a time to reflect on the work we have already done and see what are our next steps. We also want your views on how we can improve how we serve you.
We want our borough to be a fair, inclusive and safe place for all our communities and to challenge the inequalities that may divide our society. We are firmly committed to the Public Sector Equality Duty and the protected characteristics of people enshrined within it. We are committed to making sure that equality and diversity lies at the heart of all our work and decision making across the council.
Councillor Kathryn Fox – Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability
Our consultation
We want your views on our Equality and Diversity Policy
The policy sets out how we ensure that we do everything we can to enhance the equality and diversity of our borough and remove the barriers that stop this from happening.
The policy contains key guidance and commitments including
- Equality Impact Assessments – these will help us make sure our decisions are fair, informed and lawful.
- How we recruit and employ to give everyone a fair opportunity
- How we train our staff and councillors about equality and diversity
- Better data on our diverse community and their specific characteristics and needs to help shape how we respond with our services
What we need you to do
We want you to help us shape our policy so we are asking that you read the policy document and then provide feedback on what you think of the policy and what you think could improve it.
You can have your say by reading the information provided on the pages below and taking the survey.
Our equality and diversity policy
Our commitment
We are committed to promoting and providing equality and diversity in all our areas of responsibility both as a major employer and community provider. We see the diversity of our borough as a strength, and we are committed to making sure that equality and diversity lies at the heart of all our work and decision making across the council.
How will we do this?
When we make plans, policies and decision we will:
- Use data to design our plans and policies and consult with our residents on what we are doing
- Make sure our plans do not discriminate by carrying our Equality Impact Assessments at the start of the journey
- Make sure our staff, councillors and partners are aware of our commitment and what they are required to do
- Make sure our decision making is done with equality at the forefront by giving our staff and members the right information to help them make informed decisions
When we provide our services we will:
- Be accessible - This means ensuring all of services meet the needs of ourdiverse community
- Engage - We will talk to our residents about what we are planning and gettheir valued feedback
- Promote - We will highlight the great diversity of Gedling
- Review - We will use our Equality Impact Assessments to make sure our services are reviewed and are not discriminating
- Listen - We will listen to the views and feedback of our residents and listento complaints made about our services and act promptly
As an employer, we will:
- Provide a work place that is free from discrimination, oppression, bullying, harassment and victimisation and will act promptly on any complaints
- Train our staff to be aware of and to implement the Equality & Diversity Policy
- Treat all staff, volunteers and job opportunities equally
- Listen to our staff about how we can improve our service
- Provide and safe and inclusive workplace
- Create a culture that promotes equality and diversity
As a partner organisation, we will:
- Work with other organisations who have the same approach to equality
- Embed equality in our procurement process
- Take action where contractors fail to comply with equality conditions and processes
- Share our knowledge of equality impact with our partners to improve their service
- Listen to the views of our partners to help improve our services
Who is responsible for ensuring we meet our equality standards?
All Councillors and employees will have some responsibility for the delivery of this policy. The Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders and the Chief Executive will have a responsibility as key decision makers to ensure we meet the standards set out in the policy.
The Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability will be responsible for promoting equality with support from their policy advisors. They will chair the Strategic Equalities & Diversity Group which comprises the Leader, Deputy Leader, Policy Advisor for Young People and Equalities, one representative from each of the opposition groups, the Chief Executive and the Director with lead responsibility for equality and diversity.
The Chief Executive will be responsible for providing the strategic support of the policy specifically around engaging the workforce and implementing the measures set out in the policy. Their Directors, Heads of Service and Managers will all play a role in supporting the actions set out in the action plan.
How will we review this policy?
The original policy was launched in 2021 and we said we would carry a review every three years to ensure it is fit for purpose, which is what we are doing now. We will also regularly check the commitments set out in the council’s corporate plan, the Gedling Plan which also has key objectives that will contribute towards the council’s overall plan of implementing this policy.
Have your say on our policy
You can view the full plan by visiting our equality and diversity policy page. We recognise this is a detailed technical document which the Council will use to progress its work on Equalities. This consultation summary has been produced to give you an overview of some of the work to date and some further actions the Council wishes to undertake.
We would like to know if there are any specific actions you would like to see included in the action plan. These might be in relation to equalities, diversity and inclusion in terms of:
- your experience of living in the borough
- accessing Council services
- working in the borough
- working for the council
- as a partner or community organisation working with the council
- as an organisation with a focus or interest in equalities issues
- or as visitor to the borough