Equalities

Parish Council Forum October 22

nd

2013 Carol Chambers, Director for People

The Equality Act 2010

Places a Public Sector Duty on Public Bodies to publish information that shows due regard to the three aims of the Equality Duty: • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act; • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic

The 9 Protected Characteristics are:

• • • • • • • • • Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race – this includes ethnic or national origins, and nationality Religion and belief Sex Sexual orientation

Rutland County Council has signed up to the following cross cutting objectives for 2013/14:

• Provide help, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces Community. This will involve ensuring that veterans and their families are not disadvantaged.

• Promote Rutland as a county with facilities that meet the needs of diverse communities. Making everyone who lives, works or visits Rutland feel welcome and catered for. • Ensure that all training and development of staff and elected members has a positive impact on the way in which they interact with the community.

Key Question for Parish and Town Councils:

Has your Parish or Town Council undertaken any equality and diversity awareness training?

Useful links…

• Rutland County Council equalities and equal opportunities and webpage: www.rutland.gov.uk

• Equality and Human Rights Commission: www.equalityhumanrights.com

• Diversity in Diction: A guide to the appropriate use of language www.wlga.gov.uk/equalities-publications/a-guide-to-the appropriate-use-of-language-diversity-in-diction-equality-in-action