Equality Objectives 2015-2018
West Lancashire Borough Council recognises that people who provide and use our services come from diverse backgrounds and have different experiences and needs. We value this diversity and the ways in which it contributes to the richness of life and character of our community.
We will develop commission and deliver services that will help to overcome discrimination and disadvantage. We want every resident and visitor to West Lancashire to be treated fairly and with dignity regardless of age, sex, disability, race, belief and sexual orientation and with respect to their marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity or gender reassignment status. We will use our position and influence to promote equality in all aspects of community life.
As a public body, West Lancashire Borough Council is subject to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
We must, in the exercise of all our functions, have due regard to these three aims:
- 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.
The Equality Act explains that the second aim (advancing equality of opportunity) involves, in particular:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people with certain protected characteristics where these are different from the needs of other people.
- Encouraging people with certain protected characteristics to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
To assist us in doing this we have the following Equality Objectives, which have been developed to complement the key priorities adopted by the Council in the Council Plan 2015- 2018.
The objectives will remain in place for the duration of Council Plan 2015 - 2018, and will be reviewed annually.
Council Plan Priority | Equality Objective | What we will do (Updated 2017) | Lead Officer |
Ambitious for Our Economy – retain and grow jobs, increase skills levels and encourage business and wealth. |
To support the delivery of appropriate labour market initiative(s) within West Lancashire that improves the life chances of residents and have a positive impact on the West Lancashire economy. |
|
Economic Regeneration Manager |
|
To combat crime and fear of crime through tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB). |
|
Environmental Protection and Community Safety Manager |
Ambitious for Our Health and Wellbeing - improving the health and wellbeing of local communities. |
To support the continued development of the financial inclusion strategy and the role of the financial inclusion officer, to improve the financial wellbeing of tenants of the Council. |
|
Housing Operations Manager |