We have a number of overarching policies and strategies that demonstrate the highest level of commitment to equality and diversity. These polices also help the council fulfil its legal duty under the Equality Act 2010, namely to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- advance equality between all people
- foster good relations between communities, tackling prejudice and promoting understanding
You can find out more about our equality objectives and read the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy statement.
Diversity calendar
Our diversity and inclusion calendar is part of our continued work to support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims.
It includes a mix of diversity and inclusion celebrations and awareness opportunities that support and help us take action and change for the better.
Diversity calendar 2024 (PDF, 1.91MB)
Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy 2023-25
Our Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-25 (PDF, 8.2MB) sets out a roadmap to how we will deliver on our objectives. We are committing to being an employer that values difference. Recruiting, retaining and nurturing individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds allows us to grow to understand cultural differences and how they benefit an inclusive workforce.
We will achieve this by:
- making selection pools for senior roles more diverse in terms of gender, disability and ethnicity
- developing a 'women in leadership' programme to increase the proportion of women in senior leadership
- promoting and encouraging people with disabilities to apply for roles
- identifying roles where women or men are under-represented and encouraging applications from that group
- placing strategic adverts and approaching agencies who support black and minority ethnic candidates, and other under-represented groups
- using our Ways of Working programme to challenge how, when and where we work, opening up opportunities for more diverse talent
- reviewing our diversity and inclusion training and its effectiveness
- having inclusive recruitment training in place
- ensuring any talent programmes include the ability to track people's career progression
- creating listening forums for senior leaders to understand the workforce's experiences
You can also read more about the results of the consultation (PDF, 191KB).
Other policies and guidance
We have a number of other policies and guidance documents which help support our work.
Diversity and equality in employment policy (PDF, 238KB)
There are also policies and guidance that cover specific areas:
Disability and accessibility
Disability definitions (PDF, 146KB)
Making meetings accessible (PDF, 174KB)
Workplace adjustments and Access to Work
Ethnic diversity
Anti-racist practice strategy (PDF, 841KB)
Gender identity
Transgender and gender reassignment (PDF, 177KB)
Non-binary gender identity (PDF, 104KB)
Religion and belief
Religion and belief at work (PDF, 300KB)
We have information about protected characteristics.