Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Policy Statement
Horsham District Council is committed to equality in both service provision and employment. We recognise the diverse nature of the district and endeavour to ensure that service users, employees, potential employees, contractors and partners are treated with dignity and respect.
Horsham District Council is committed to the fair treatment of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin), religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation.
We will ensure that the services we deliver are accessible, equitable and meet the needs of our residents.
Our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded in our Council Plan priorities.
Public Sector Equality Duty
Horsham District Council will meet its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 .
As a public sector organisation it is our duty to:
- Work to eliminate unlawful discrimination
- Promote equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
- Promote good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
What is a protected characteristic?
We all have protected characteristics, and the Equality Act 2010 protects people against discrimination based on any of them. The nine protected characteristics are:
- Age
- Race
- Disability
- Sex
- Gender reassignment
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief (or lack of religion or belief)
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Marital and civil partnership status
As a public sector organisation we must consider how our decisions and policies affect people with different protected characteristics, and show evidence of our work. This is called the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Equality Objectives
Our equality objectives are linked with our Council Plan priorities.
Read our current Equality Objectives.
Action
Everyone who is part of Horsham District Council will make sure the equality duty is met in their day-to-day work and when they make decisions. This is done through the following processes.
Equality Impact Assessments
All decisions the Council takes includes consideration of the public sector equality duty and the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
Reports include an assessment of the equalities implications of proposals and how these will be mitigated, if necessary, for people with characteristics whose interests are protected by law.
Governance
The Council’s has a governance framework in place to enable the Council to carry out its functions effectively and this ensures that we meet our legal and ethical commitments including the equality duty.
Corporate Governance - Horsham District Council.
Read more about the Public Sector Equality Duty.