Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all citizens and celebrates the diversity of all its residents.

Equality

This is treating people fairly. 

The law seeks to prevent and eliminate unlawful discrimination for people who have one or more of the following protected characteristics. These areas are 

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • sex, and sexual orientation

Diversity

This means “variety”. Valuing diversity means valuing people and recognising that everyone is unique or different but of equal worth.

Discrimination

This is treating a person, without a justification, less favourably than another, particularly because of one’s feelings, assumptions or prejudices about the characteristics, attributes or circumstances of that person. This can include certain forms of harassment or abuse.

Our EDI Strategy 2022 to 2024 has been successfully embedded across the organisation, and had some powerful impacts since its launch in September 2022. With significant changes to the restructuring of our workforce, a number of external factors including moving colleagues and operations from County Hall, as well as some key programmes of work and initiatives driven by the strategy, it was agreed to extend our current strategy to September 2025. Doing so allows us to continue our commitment to the objectives in place, carry on with the important work being delivered in our Directorate Equality Groups, and importantly, gives us an opportunity to thoroughly engage, collaborate and improve our approach to the new EDI Strategy development, ensuring we produce a meaningful plan that is aligned with our other strategic works, and ready for September 2025.

Equality Impact Assessments

The County Council carries out Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) when it is planning significant changes which will affect local residents. 

An example of change would be whether and how services will be provided. Change will always make more of a difference for some groups than it will for others. 

It is important that we understand how different groups (for example, older people and children) will be affected by our proposals.

If we find that our proposals will affect particular groups more than other's we will consider whether we can do things differently to bring about any improvements for them.

It is important that the assessments we complete are thorough and accurate. The Council's Equality and Diversity Manager provides any support and guidance our staff may need when carrying them out. 

Equality Impact Assessments already undertaken

See below to read Full Equality Impact Assessments that the Council has carried out. 

Employment at The Council

The Council is committed to promoting equality and diversity, and ensuring that all appointments are made based on the suitability of a candidate to the role only.

Disability Confident Employer

We are a 'Disability Confident Employer', which means we will guarantee an interview to any candidate with a disability who shows that they meet the essential criteria for the advertised role.

Applicant selection

In line with the "Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, we do not automatically reject applicants with a criminal record. Every application will be considered individually, taking into account the nature and circumstances of the conviction and the type of work applied for. You will not be asked to disclose 'spent' convictions unless the work requires access to children and vulnerable adults.

Gender Pay Gap reports

Under The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017, we are required to publish Gender Pay Gap data annually.

Can't find what you are looking for?

Contact equality, diversity and inclusion

Related

Gypsies and travellers

Race Relations Case Law recognises English Romany Gypsies, and Irish Travellers as ethnic minorities.

Jobs and careers

Information on our latest vacancies and working for the Council.

Was this page useful?