The public sector Equality Duty (PSED) requires public bodies to:
The key aims of the duty are to:
The Council is committed to treating people with dignity and respect and will respond positively to different needs and circumstances. The Council welcomes diversity and recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and this difference brings great strength. In making decisions, the Council considers equality and diversity and endeavours to reach all individuals including those with protected characteristics to invite their views and comments.
We have to show that we have considered how the decisions that we make and the services we deliver affect people who share different protected characteristics:
In considering service changes and decision making we will consider and set out:
The Council expects its employees to treat everybody they come into contact with as part of their work with respect and without discrimination on any grounds. This includes being polite and courteous at all times and refraining from using language that could be offensive to others both in the workplace at whist representing the Council at external events etc.
Employees should not discriminate against any person, including customers and colleagues, on any ground protected under the Equality Act.
The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) ensures good governance of the organisation. SLT have overall responsibility to ensure this policy is consistently applied and taken into account when setting strategic direction and reviewing performance.
Heads of Services and line managers must ensure staff are aware of the policy. Staff are trained to meet its requirements. They are expected to ensure that equality is clearly incorporated in to policy, design and delivery of services and functions, where relevant.
All staff and elected Members must comply with equality policies and legislation. Breaches may lead to disciplinary action.
In making decisions, the Council will consider protected groups with due consideration to the following statistical information. Please note that the information is provided for South Hams and West Devon in the same datasets.