This means recognising the inequalities which people suffer and take action to reduce them. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring fairness towards colleagues and the community. This commitment is integral to the provision of any service and the employment conditions of each and every member of staff. We expect all our staff to promote equality in the workplace and in the services we deliver. In this way, the Council can redress inequality.
Equal opportunities means access to jobs, services, information and participation for everyone.
We recognise that because some groups of people experience prejudice and discrimination that to make opportunities really available we have to make an extra effort. We mention some groups in particular because they are the people who have commonly been disadvantaged. The Council's commitment to a fair deal for women, black people, lesbians and gay men, pensioners and disabled people is a recognition of the difficulties and inequalities which these groups continue to face. The Council is committed to tackling class disadvantage and has a long history of providing services which improve the quality of life and life chances of working class people. Lewisham Council exists to represent and provide services for all the people of the Borough.