MSDC updates Equality and Diversity scheme

PR2287/NB/MF - 27/07/2020

Mid Sussex District Council has approved a new Equality and Diversity Scheme for 2020-24.

The Council has a legal duty to promote equality of opportunity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation and to foster good relationships between people. The Council’s Equality and Diversity Scheme sets out how the Council is working to meet these equality objectives.

The Equalities and Diversity Scheme seeks to address the needs of those who, by virtue of their protected characteristics, may find it difficult to access the services that they need, or to participate in decisions that affect them. These protected characteristics are age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership.

In addition, the Council’s updated Equality and Diversity Scheme addresses issues arising from residential location, lack of income, skill level and covers the need to provide support for the armed forces community. The revised scheme also adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and commits to use it on all appropriate occasions.

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said:

“This Equality and Diversity Scheme sets out our commitment to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. This applies to everything we do, whether that’s providing services for our local community, employing people, our communication, working with partners, developing policies or involving people in our decision making.

“We value the diversity of people within our District and we are committed to being an employer of choice, providing a flexible and supportive working environment and trying to ensure our workforce reflects the community that we serve.

“Anyone can be discriminated against and suffer disadvantage which affects their quality of life. Our Equalities and Diversity Scheme identifies the issues that people may face and sets out the measures we are taking in response, as we work towards a fair and equal society.”

ENDS