Equalities
Strategic Equality Plan 2020 - 24
Strategic Equality Plan 2020 24
For further information contact
Sarah Worby
Corporate Research & Policy Officer
Pembrokeshire County Council
sarah.worby@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Integrated Impact Assessment
We have developed a tool to assess the impact of proposed strategies and policies on equality and diversity issues, sustainable development, the Welsh language and health and wellbeing (including child poverty).
The Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) tool is applied to all our strategic policy and practice decisions and ensures we fulfil our obligations concerning:
- equality and diversity,
- sustainable development,
- the Welsh language, and
- health and wellbeing issues
The IIA should be completed as early as possible during the policy development process. It asks the lead officer responsible for the policy or practice being assessed a series of questions relating to each of the themes set out above. The officer is asked to consider whether the policy or practice concerned will have a positive, negative or neutral impact.
Where a negative impact is anticipated the IIA requests further information regarding the steps that have been taken to mitigate the effects.
What are we trying to achieve and why is it important?
It is important that the things we do improve equality and diversity, sustainable development, use of the Welsh language, and health and wellbeing. It is also important that any negative impacts are minimised. It is possible to carry out separate impact assessments for sustainable development, use of the Welsh language, and health and wellbeing but we recognise that an integrated approach is more effective. Combining the various assessments will not only take less time, but it will also ensure that negative and positive impacts are not viewed in isolation because often they are interrelated. Consistent use of the tool will improve quality of life in Pembrokeshire.
Integrated Impact Assessments are published as part of the papers for the relevant decision-making committee (i.e. Cabinet and Council).
Dan Shaw
Corporate Planning Manager
01437 775857
Race Council Cymru’s Zero Tolerance to Racism in Wales Campaign
Race Council Cymru’s Zero Tolerance to Racism in Wales Campaign
Pembrokeshire County Council Statement of Intent
Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes the breadth and diversity of tradition, belief and culture of the community.
It seeks to create, maintain and promote a community in which each parson is treated fairly and equally irrespective of race.
Pembrokeshire County Council confirms its commitment to a policy of equal opportunities in employment and service delivery.
Individuals will be selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and will be given fair and equal opportunities within the Pembrokeshire County Council.
Equally, we confirm our commitment to treating all staff, clients, customers and service users in accordance with this policy.
Pembrokeshire County Council commits to adhere to the Equality Act 2010 and provide fair and equitable services to people from all race and other protected characteristic backgrounds.
The aim of the policy is to ensure that no job applicant or user' visitor/ guest receives less favourable treatment on any grounds, which are not relevant to good employment practice. We are committed to a programme of action to make this policy fully effective.
Pembrokeshire County Council Policy Statement
Pembrokeshire County Council commits to promoting a zero tolerance to racism throughout the Pembrokeshire County Council, this means that:
• We will take a stand against racism and promote a more inclusive and equal society for all
• We will not tolerate racial prejudice, discrimination, harassment, victimisation, abuse, or violence against any individual
• We will stand in solidarity, come together, and say no to racism, in all its forms
• We will promote good race relations between people from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Pembrokeshire County Council
• We will promote equal and fair opportunities for people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to attain promotion
• We will eliminate unlawful race discrimination, harassment, victimisation and abuse
Pembrokeshire County Council Responsibility
All persons at all levels have certain responsibilities. Good relations and practice and the achievement of an inclusive community depend on all members of Pembrokeshire County Council treating their fellow members/ users/ visitors with respect and dignity. Therefore, all persons are expected to:
1 Co-operate with measures to advance equality and diversity and to eliminate unlawful discrimination.
2. Treat all members of staff in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, respecting differences.
3. Not discriminating where such members might have power over others.
4. Not inciting or attempt to induce others to behave in discriminatory ways.
5. Not victimising or attempt to victimise anyone who has made complaints of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or abuse or who has provided information on discrimination.
6. Eliminate harassment abuse or intimidation of others on the grounds of race or ethnicity for example in attempts to discourage them from applying for vacancies or volunteering opportunities within the Pembrokeshire County Council.
7. Inform an appropriate person if a form of discrimination, harassment or victimisation is taking place
8. Take appropriate action where they are informed that an act or acts of discrimination, harassment or victimisation have occurred
Monitoring
It is Pembrokeshire County Council policy to monitor equality and diversity across all aspects of its activity. This includes.
• The admission and recruitment of staff, volunteers, members, users and visitors.
• The number and nature of complaints, grievances and disciplinary actions.
• The resignations and withdrawal rates of staff, clients, customers and/ or service users
Monitoring in this way will reveal whether particular groups experience disadvantage and whether they receive fair and equitable treatment in relation to either their employment or their use of Pembrokeshire County Council. Where unfair practices are discovered through the monitoring process, necessary action will be taken to remedy the disadvantage.
Why Do We Ask Equality and Welsh Language Questions?
When we propose a change in or development of a policy or service we are required to complete an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA). This is in order to show that we have taken the potential impact on those who share protected characteristics, those on a low income and on the Welsh-language into account. The Integrated Impact Assessment also requires us to describe what steps we will take to lessen any anticipated negative impacts and identify and enhance any potential positive impacts.
We ask questions about protected characteristics, household income and Welsh-language in order to help us gather evidence on which to base our IIAs. Where we gather information via the Have Your Say section on our website, we will do so in accordance with our Privacy Notice
We have developed a standard set of questions, which we encourage all departments within the Council to use. This is to help ensure that we have a consistent approach across the organisation.
Equality and Protected Characteristic - Standard Questions
The nine characteristics, protected under the Equality Act 2011 are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
We often also include a standard question on caring responsibilities, as this helps us to gain a broader understanding in relation to disability.
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Age Are you? (please tick only one)
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Pregnancy and maternity/paternity Please indicate if any of the following apply to you (please tick all that apply)
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Sex How would you describe yourself? (please tick only one)
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Disability Do you consider yourself to be disabled? (please tick only one)
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Gender reassignment Is your present gender the same as the one assigned to you at birth? (please tick only one)
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Caring responsibilities Do you provide regular, unpaid, substantial care for a relative, friend or neighbour who is unable to manage at home without help because of sickness, age or disability? (please tick only one)
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Sexual orientation What is your sexual orientation (please tick only one)
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Ethnic group What is your ethnic group? (please tick only one)
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Marriage and civil partnership Are you? (please tick only one)
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Religion What is your religion? (please tick only one)
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Household Income Approximately how much income comes into your household each year? (please tick only one)
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Welsh Language Are you able to speak more than a few words in Welsh?
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Impacts on the Welsh Language - Formal Consultations
In order for us to assess likely impacts on the Welsh language, when we undertake formal consultations, we will also ask:
What effects do you feel the proposal(s) would have on
- opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language
- treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language
How could the proposal(s) be formulated or revised so as to have positive effects (or increased positive effects) on
- opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language
- treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language
For further information please contact:
Sarah Worby
Corporate Research & Policy Officer
01437 775263
Sarah.worby@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Equalities
Under the public sector equality duty, which came into force in April 2011, public sector bodies must have due regard to the following when exercising their duties:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
Protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
In Wales, there are also a number of additional duties which include having a Strategic Equality Plan in place; engaging with those in protected characteristic groups; developing and publishing equality impact assessments, and providing employment statistics.
In addition, from April 2021, the Welsh Government will enact the socio-economic part of the Wales-specific duties. This means that, when making strategic decisions, the Council must consider how its decisions might help reduce inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.
For further information please contact:-
Dan Shaw
Corporate Planning Manager
dan.shaw@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
01437 775857