Every person in Bassetlaw matters and the Council welcomes the
fact that society consists of many diverse groups and individuals.
The diversity of our communities is an asset to the district which
brings a vibrancy to life in Bassetlaw.
We are committed to equality for all our people regardless of
age, sex, responsibility for dependents, race, religion, sexuality,
transgender, disability, social class or trade union membership.
This applies to the services we deliver and our employment
practices.
As a Council we have a central role to play. We are a big
employer that values the diversity of the workforce and will
challenge discrimination in the workplace. We are also a leader of
the community and will not accept discrimination, victimisation or
harassment.
Annual Report
The Annual report highlights the
work of the Council, with its partners on addressing equality and
diversity issues within our local communities. It provides
information about Bassetlaw and the reasons for the Councils
priorities. Hard copy versions of the report are available at our
Offices in Worksop and Retford and local libraries It can be made
available in other formats if required. For further information
please contact Stephen Brown, Senior Manager Support Services 01909
533767 steve.brown@bassetlaw.gov.uk
back to
top
Diversity and Equality Policy
The Council’s Diversity and Equality Policy outlines the Council
commitment to:
- Ensuring that diversity is recognised and valued within its
policies, practices and operating standards.
- Promoting and encouraging diversity, and recognising the value
that respecting difference brings.
- Promoting an environment where equality of treatment for all
its citizens, customers and stakeholders can be continuously
improved and developed.
- Ensuring that quality services meet the requirements and
expectations of all its diverse communities – throughout the
District – regardless of their personal circumstances and
background.
- Developing policies and practices, as an employer, which
recruit and retain staff with the ability and skills to deliver
services effectively to a diverse range of citizens.
Promoting diversity and equality issues where we work in
partnership or have influence with other bodies that are service
providers/contractors and with other key organisations in the
district – with the overall aim of promoting the value and purpose
of equality and diversity programmes.
back to
top
The Council’s Single Equality Scheme
The Single Equality Scheme is a public
commitment by all parts of the Council to meet the duties placed on
us by equality laws. The Scheme will be based around seven
equality strands. (Age, disability, gender issues, race,
religion and belief, sexual orientation and socio economic
factors). The Council is also including rural inclusion given
its impact on accessibility to services for many residents in
Bassetlaw. Our Scheme will run from 2010-2013.
As we work very closely as organisations
across the same communities, this is a joint scheme with A1 Housing
Limited. Irrespective of the legal duties, tackling the
impacts of inequality lies at the heart of our organisation.
Equality issues do not fit into neat organisational boxes.
Inequality impacts on the most vulnerable in our communities.
No single organisation can deal with all these issues on its own –
partnership working is a key feature of our work.
This is now our second joint equality scheme,
the first was published in 2008. Since that time both
organisations have built upon their equality work. This new
Scheme has been developed with support from key local agencies and
community groups across Bassetlaw. The Council needs to
ensure that it keeps its Scheme under regular review so that it
truly reflects what is happening in our local communities. We
need your comments and observations. You can do this by going
to the Consultation Section.
You can also find information about our previous Disability, Race and Gender Schemes.
The new Single Equality Scheme outlines how we
will promote equality and diversity in everything we do, from
delivering our services to recruiting and employing
staff. This will be kept under review both in response
to any changes in the communities across Bassetlaw and in light of
feedback we get from organisations and individuals. Full
copies are available here.
The Single Equality Scheme links to the
Council’s Strategic Priorities. The Scheme includes:
- Employment Practices
- Providing Services
- Working with others
- Buying Services from others
- Involving communities and consulting others
- Training
The Scheme also contains detailed Equality and
Diversity Statements for:
- Age
- Disabled People
- Black and Minority Ethnic Communities
- Gender and Transgender Identity
- Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals
- Religious and Other Beliefs
- Other Categories
back to
top
Our Equality Priorities
The Council acknowledges that all the
identified areas contained in the Equality Act 2010 are
important. In regards to the local situation within Bassetlaw
and our knowledge of the local communities, and after consultation
with a number of local organisations, the following have been
identified as groups we need to give particular attention to –
older persons, young people, those with disabilities, new
communities and rural communities. The act required The Council to
publish its objectives by April 2012, and then every four years
after. The Councils objectives are:-
-
Ensure that appropriate levels of monitoring take place to
provide a regular profile of the Council‟s customers.
-
Development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Bassetlaw.
-
Address the needs of older people within Bassetlaw.
-
Work with partner organisations to address the needs of the
migrant worker population in Bassetlaw.
-
To ensure our services reflect the needs of registered disabled
residents.
-
Support the development of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &
Transgender (LGBT) forum in Bassetlaw.
-
To review Hate Crime reporting arrangements.
-
Continue to support women‟s services.
-
Develop a Children and Young People‟s Plan to focus on achieving
the five outcomes of „Every Child Matters‟.
-
Support the development of the Community Engagement Network to
improve the two way flow of information and advice.
-
To review the Council‟s Grant Aid to ensure it supports the
delivery of the Equality Objectives.
-
To develop the „Help Point‟ network to improve access to
services for rural communities in Bassetlaw.
-
Complete the equal pay review.
-
Get an update on our Equality Objectives
Progress
Bassetlaw Equality Profile
The Single Equality Scheme and Action Plan
have been developed to take into account what we know about
communities across Bassetlaw. It is important that our
proposed priorities and actions reflect local need.
Information can be found here about the Bassetlaw area.
What we are doing on Equalities
The Council has to ensure that its equality
and diversity work is in line with national (and international)
legislation and reflects the corporate priorities. It is however
the actions we deliver that make the biggest impact.
Details of some of the practical measures we
have taken, which often involves working with a wide range of
partners, can be found by visiting our "What we are doing on Equalities"
page.
We welcome feedback on this work:
- Are our priorities the right ones?
- Should we continue the work we are doing?
- Are there other priorities you think we have missed?
To let us have your views, see the Consultation section.
Equality Impact Assessment
An Equality Impact Assessment - also
known as an Impact, Needs and Requirement Assessment (INRA) - is a
way to make sure individuals and teams think carefully about the
likely impact of policies or procedures, strategies, functions and
services, to identify any unmet needs, and to provide a basis for
action to improve services where appropriate.
back to
top
Delivering on our promises
The Council’s Cabinet maintains an overview of
all actions to ensure we are delivering on our equality
objectives. Senior Managers have responsibility for these
objectives. Our ‘Equality Champions’ Group involves staff
from all Service areas in helping to develop the work.
Sources of Information
The Equality
and Human Rights Commission have a statutory remit to
promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and
promote equality across the seven “protected” grounds – age,
disability, gender, race religion and belief, sexual orientation
and gender reassignment.
The Commission provides a range of advice and
information, helpline: 0845 604 6610.
The Regional Equality and Diversity
Partnership (REDP)
The Regional
Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) works collectively to
promote equality across the East Midlands through policy
development and organisational changes. This will be achieved
by mainstreaming a focus on equality and human rights throughout
the region. REDP is a partnership of voluntary sector organisations
working with the public and private sector, by providing training,
research, information, advice and appropriate challenge.
Contact:
Regional Equality and Diversity
Partnership
C/o LCIL
5-9 Upper Brown Street
LEICESTER
LE1 5TE
Tel: 0116 285 9440
Fax: 0116 222 5008
BCVS (Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service)
Bassetlaw Action Centre
Bassetlaw Action
Centre is a Community Resource Agency linking individuals and
organisations with help and support.
back to
top
Further information from the Council