Equality & Diversity Policy
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY POLICY
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council pride themselves on treating all people the same; fairly, sensitively and according due respect at all times in all circumstances.
1. AIM:
The aim of this policy is to communicate the commitment of Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council, its Members and Officers to meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty, which came into force April 2011. The Equality Duty applies to public bodies and others carrying out public functions. It supports good decision making by ensuring public bodies consider how different people will be affected by their activities, helping them to deliver policies, representation and services which are efficient and effective, accessible to all, and which meet different people’s needs.
2. POLICY STATEMENT:
It is Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council’s policy to provide representation, information, facilities, services and employment to all irrespective of:
- Gender, including gender reassignment
- Marital or Civil Partnership status
- Being pregnant or having just had a baby
- Having or not having dependents
- Religious belief or political opinion
- Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All people and employees will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against on any of the above grounds. All decisions will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination.
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council recognizes that supporting Equality is of primary importance. This policy will help all those who are Council Members, Officers, or work for the Council to develop sound and effective policies that impact on the villages, community and surrounding areas.
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council aims to create a culture that respects and values each others’ differences; that promotes dignity, equality and diversity. We aim to remove barriers, bias or discrimination that prevent individuals or groups from realizing their potential and contributing fully to the community to develop a culture that positively values diversity.
3. EQUALITY COMMITMENTS:
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council is committed to:
- Promoting equality of opportunity for all persons
- Promoting a good and harmonious environment in which all persons are treated with respect
- Preventing occurrences of unlawful direct discrimination, in-direct discrimination, harassment and victimization
- Fulfilling our legal obligations under equality legislation and associated codes of practice
- Comply with this equal opportunities policy and associated policies
- Taking lawful affirmative and positive action where appropriate
4. IMPLEMENTATION:
The Council Chairman has specific responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy; he or she shall:
- Communicate the policy to Council Members, the Clerk and members of the public
- Incorporate equal opportunities into general practices
- The Clerk will ensure that other persons or organisations will comply with this policy in their dealings with the Council
5. MONITORING AND REVIEW:
Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council will establish appropriate information and monitoring systems to assess the effective implementation of this equal opportunities policy.
The effectiveness of this policy will be reviewed annually at the Annual General Parish Council meeting and action taken as necessary.
In addition to the Council’s internal procedures, any person has the right to pursue complaints of discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
Nick Walker
R.F.O. & Clerk, Morton & Hanthorpe Parish Council.