Reducing rural isolation and improving access to services Ensure that consideration is given within equality impact assessments to the needs of people in rural areas Departments From 2017 -18 Wherever possible decisions about Council services support life in rural communities. Sustain public and voluntary transport in rural areas Economy, Environment & Transport Ongoing Public transport in rural areas is meeting the needs of people without their own forms of transport and helping to sustain life in rural communities. Create safe communities for everyone Continue to work with partners to respond effectively to domestic violence, hate crime and other forms of abuse or hatred Commissioning, Communities & Policy Ongoing Improved reporting of incidents. Victims receive the support they need. There are active programmes to help perpetrators change their behaviour.
Over time individuals and communities feel safer. Expand the number of safe places for people with learning disabilities Commissioning, Communities & Policy; Adult Care Ongoing The numbers and type of venue used as Safe Places has increased. Take appropriate action with partners to tackle cyber bullying and abuse, including where this is based on protected characteristics or cultural identity. Children’s Services; Commissioning, Communities & Policy; Adult Care Ongoing Effective action is taken by appropriate agencies to respond to cyber abuse. Awareness programmes are in place though schools and other means of contact with the public, employees and community organisations Promoting and celebrating cultural diversity Work with partners and communities to celebrate the contribution of our diverse communities Diversity & Inclusion Board Ongoing Diversity calendar published A range of events are celebrated and promoted by the Council, with partners, local people and organisations. Use commissioning, procurement and the Departments Ongoing There is clear evidence that the Council’s services which
allocation of grant-aid to advance equality of opportunity, to reduce inequality and enhance relationships between diverse communities are delivered under procurement arrangements provide good and appropriate access for all parts of the community. Continue work to improve awareness and access to services for LGBTQ people Diversity and Inclusion Board Ongoing Improved local data is available on our LGBTQ community Where appropriate, specific arrangements exist within services to target LGBTQ people and their needs Develop the extent to which young peoples’ views of identity and diversity can shape our future approach to equality and diversity Children’s Services 2018 – 19 Complete work with the Youth Council and other young people to understand the developing views of identity and diversity. Use the findings to identify future work within the Council in relation to equality and diversity.
Improving health and well-being Continue working to reduce the stigma around mental illness Adult Care, Human Resources (within DCC) Ongoing More people have access to mental health awareness training and information. Fewer hate crimes against people with a history mental illness. People with a history of mental health problems are being supported into work and to retain employment. Council services are responsive to changes in the types of support needed by people with a history of mental illness. Further develop the use of Health Impact Assessments to help shape in and in helping to reduce health inequalities Adult Care Ongoing Health Impact Assessments are helping to improve access to health services for disadvantaged or groups of people. represented
Improve access to health screening and health services for people from marginalised communities through health commissioning and health promotion campaigns Adult Care Ongoing People from disadvantaged communities are able to access the health services, support and screening they need. Improve access to and of health and well-being advice and services by men Adult Care Ongoing More men are attending screening services and seeking help earlier to avoid terminal and other serious illness. A skilled and diverse workforce Improve access to equality and diversity training for employees of the Council Human Resources, Departments Ongoing Complete equalities training review. Training available to meet the of the workforce. Improved awareness of equality and diversity amongst employees, managers and partners/ suppliers.
Develop a Diversity Allies Scheme to support the implementation of this strategy Diversity & Inclusion Board 2017-18 Programme launched in 201/2018. After two years there are a group of effective allies who are helping to promote equality and diversity across the Council and more broadly. Work to recruit and retain a skilled diverse workforce Human Resources, Departments Ongoing Identify appropriate action to address within the workforce of any groups and to deal with occupational imbalances Continue to develop and support opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds to influence employment practices in the Council, including by supporting the role of the employee networks and employee panel Human Resources, Departments Ongoing Employee sponsored diversity events are being held regularly Policies and procedures are being updated in response to employee feedback and involvement including that of the Trade Unions,
Employee Panel and Employee Networks Publish statutory gender pay gap data, undertake equal pay audits and formulate action plan to address issues if necessary. Human Resources, Departments Annually in line with legal requirements Gender pay gap data published and equal pay audit undertaken, issues identified and addressed where appropriate. Maintain our Disability Confident Level 2 membership and consider progressing to Level 3, taking resourcing levels and cuts into account. Human Resources, Departments By 2019 The Council is delivering the requirements of the Disability Confident Scheme and as a result disabled people are more within the Council’s workforce. Adopt the Dying to Work Charter Human Resources, Departments 2018 Charter adopted and policies being reviewed to meet commitments.