Equality Policy and Objective 2023-27

Some amendments were made to the Equality Policy 2023-27 in December 2023. These include;

• the Foreword
• reordering of some paragraphs
• Annex 1
• Care Experience is now captured in Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) 

Equality Policy 2023-27 and Equality Objective[pdf]

The policy sets out the Council’s approach to meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty established in the Equality Act 2010. The duty requires all public bodies like the Council to ‘have due regard’ in all its activities to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and encourage good relations.

The Equality Act defines nine legally protected characteristics: age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, and marriage and civil partnership.

The Equality Policy provides the means for ensuring that Council actions do not cause inadvertent disadvantage or discrimination to people because of their protected characteristics.

Paper copies can be obtained by email [email protected] or 01325 406054. It can also be provided in alternative formats or languages on request.