The Council's Approach to Diversity

The Comprehensive Equality Policy

The Council recognises that some people might suffer discrimination and be disadvantaged for many reasons, including:

• race, nationality or ethnic origin
• religion or belief
• disability
• age
• gender
• sexual orientation
• income
• geographic location

The Council therefore replaced its Equal Opportunities Policy with a Comprehensive Equality Policy (CEP) in 2005. The CEP sets out our commitment and responsibility to promote equality of opportunity and good community relations, and to tackle all forms of discrimination. The CEP is thorough, and recognises that discrimination can occur when we:

• provide services
• purchase services
• employ staff
• work in partnership with other organisations

The CEP has its own Action Plan which sets out how we are going to undertake the work required.

In addition to our proposed actions, Herefordshire Council will use the Equality Standard framework for Local Government to help us achieve excellence. The Standard is designed to help us identify and remove any barriers to services which our customers or staff might experience. This will ensure that everyone has equal access to services and information.

The full version of the 2007 CEP is attached in the box below.

The Corporate Diversity Team

The Corporate Diversity Team was established in April 2005 and is based at the Plough Lane offices. Their role is:

• to ensure that the Council fulfils its statutory responsibilities with regards to relevant legislation
• to create a culture of openness, honesty and trust where everyone is treated with respect
• to work in the community to raise awareness
• to support employees and members of the public to challenge discrimination, hate crime, harassment or bullying

The team carried out an Equality Impact Assessment in June 2006, and this document can be found in the box below. More information about the work of the team can be found in the leaflet also in the box below, or contact us for more details.

Last Updated: 19 February 08,
Review Date: 20 September 2005