Public Sector Equality Duty
The Public Sector Equality Duty came into force on the 5 April 2011. It is contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. It has three aims. It requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Having due regard means consciously thinking about the three aims of the Equality Duty as part of the process of decision-making. This means that consideration of equality issues must influence the decisions reached by public bodies - such as in how they act as employers; how they develop, evaluate and review policy; how they design, deliver and evaluate services, and how they commission and procure from others.
Having due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity involves considering the need to:
- remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics;
- meet the needs of people with protected characteristics; and
- encourage people with protected characteristics to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is low.
Fostering good relations involves tackling prejudice and promoting understanding between people who share a protected characteristic and others.
Specific Duties
The Equality Duty is supported by specific duties, set out in regulations which came into force on 10 September 2011. The specific duties require public bodies to publish relevant, proportionate information demonstrating their compliance with the Equality Duty; and to set themselves specific, measurable equality objectives.
Publishing relevant equality information will make public bodies transparent about their decision-making processes, and accountable to their service users. It will give the public the information they need to hold public bodies to account for their performance on equality.
The specific duties require public bodies to
- publish information to show their compliance with the Equality Duty, at least annually; and
- set and publish equality objectives, at least every four years.
All information must be published in a way which makes it easy for people to access it.
For further information please visit
Single Equality Scheme 2012-2016
To comply with this duty Stratford-on-Avon District Council has developed a Single Equality Scheme 2012-2016 which is available from the downloads section on this page.
Equality Objectives
To fulfil its equality duty the Council is required to publish its equality objectives. These are available from the downloads section on this page. These objectives take account of the three aims of the equality duty which are:-
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination (harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- Advance equality of opportunity (between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it); and
- Foster good relations (between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it).
Partnership
Stratford-on-Avon District Council works in partnership with many organisations to provide valuable information on a broad range of equality and diversity issues. Organisations, both statutory and voluntary are also listed below.
Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership (WREP)
Warwickshire Victim Support
Council of Disabled People (CDP)
Warwickshire Association for the Blind (WAB)
Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG)
Coventry and Warwickshire Friend (Gay and lesbian information and counselling)
Gender Matters
Terence Higgins Trust (THT)
View all partnership contact details.
For further information, please telephone 01789 260900 or minicom 01789 260747.
Religious Events
World Faith Calendar - religious and secular celebrations.
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