GURNARD PARISH COUNCIL
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY
- Statement of Intent – Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
Gurnard Parish Council is committed to providing and promoting equal opportunities, eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity in the community.
Gurnard Parish Council will comply with current legislation with regard to diversity and equality. We believe that meeting the needs of our residents and staff can only be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. Our aim is to create an environment that respects the diversity of staff and service users and enables them to achieve their full potential, to contribute fully, and to derive maximum benefits and enjoyment from their involvement with the Parish Council.
To this end the Parish Council acknowledges and strives to embed in all its activities the following basic rights for all:
- To receive a professional and appropriate service
- To be treated with respect and dignity
- To be treated fairly with regard to all procedures, assessments and choices
- To receive encouragement to reach their full potential
These rights carry with them responsibilities, not just for Gurnard Parish Council as a corporate body, but also its staff, volunteers, service users and those who supply services on our behalf. We must all recognise and uphold these rights and act in accordance with them in dealings with others. Councillors and any employees have a personal responsibility for fostering a fully integrated community, at work, by adhering to the principles of equal opportunity and in the provision of dedicated services to people on equitable terms, promoting good relations between different groups
- Our statutory duty under the Equality Act 2010
As a public body leading and speaking on behalf of the community the Parish Council must play its part in making society fairer by tackling discrimination and providing equality of opportunity for all. The Equality Act 2010 places a new Equality duty on the Parish Council to work to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited under the Act
- Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a protected characteristic and persons who don’t share it
- Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who don’t share it
No individual will be unjustifiably discriminated against. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination because of the following characteristics (known as protected characteristics under the Act)
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Marital status and civil partnerships
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and beliefs
- Sexual orientation
- Ethnic origin
- Nationality
Gurnard Parish Council is aware that the above list is not exhaustive and that there are other forms of discrimination that should not be tolerated
We will engage with people to ensure the service is relevant and meets their needs.
We will empower people to recognise and counter discrimination and be supportive in doing so.
No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
- Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to councillors, employees, contractors, volunteers, and residents engaging with the Council.
- Implementation, Monitoring and Review
The Parish Clerk as the designated lead on Equality & Diversity Lead to ensure day to day compliance, with councillors retaining collective responsibility through the Parish Council.
This policy will be subject to formal review every 2 years, with annual checks to ensure compliance with changes in legislation etc.
- Complaints Process
Please refer to the Council’s complaint’s policy.
- Training and Inclusion Measures
The Council is committed to training councillors and staff, and to providing practical examples of inclusion measures.
Approved and adopted by Gurnard Parish Council, 16 June 16 (minute number 6509), Reviewed, no changes required 12 July 2017, reviewed no amendments required September 2018. – to be updated as required
If you require this document in an alternative format or would like to give feedback on its accessibility, please contact the Parish Clerk at clerk@gurnardparishcouncil.gov.uk