Equalities and Access

Introduction
Equalities Impact Assessments
Latest Information
Recent Events
Race Equality
Gender Equality
Disability Equality
DisabledGo - Freedom and Choice for millions of people
Equalities Employment Monitoring Statistics
Information Resources

Introduction

At Canterbury City Council we know that Equality and Access For All are very important to our services, employment and to the district that we represent.
We want to send a clear message that, regardless of people's backgrounds, discrimination against them will not be tolerated.

We aim to celebrate diversity in all aspects of our service delivery and employment.
We aim to put equalities, inclusion and access at the heart of everything we do.

We view diversity as a resource, as a strength and as an opportunity to help us improve services and are committed to making our services and employment equally accessible to everyone.

We welcome the increasing diversity in our society and we will try to meet the needs of our diverse society. As a council we are determined to make real improvements to the lives of everyone in Canterbury, regardless of race, colour and ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexuality or their faith and belief.
We understand that sometimes people are multiply disadvantaged as individuals and aim therefore to be flexible and forward thinking in our efforts to provide services and employment.

We want to engage effectively with all our customers and achieve the council's vision of Putting People First and building a better Canterbury district for all our citizens.

Single Equalities Impact Assessments

The council is currently undergoing an assessment of its services, policies and procedures to see how they impact on different sections of the community. The impact is considered with reference to:

Age
Disability
Gender
Race, Ethnicity and Colour
Religion or Belief
Sexual Orientation

Please click on the headings below to read the full impact assessments completed to date (Microsoft Word format).

For more information, feedback or any comments on the council's single equalities impact assessments please email equalities@canterbury.gov.uk or call the Policy and Improvement team on 01227 862 525

Race Equality

Canterbury City Council's current commitment to tackling inequality and promoting good race relations is embodied in the Equalities and Inclusion Policy adopted in April 2005.

We will make sure we do not discriminate against any individual or group either directly or indirectly because of race, ethnicity or colour.

The council recently reviewed and updated its Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan. The revised Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan 2007 were published in 2 August 2007 and outlines what the council is doing in order to meet its statutory obligations under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RRAA). The council aims to eliminate racial discrimination and harassment that is unlawful Race Relations Act (1976) and promote equal opportunities and good race relations between people of different racial groups living and visiting the district..

Gender Equality

We intend to do what we can to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment; and promote equality of opportunity between man and woman. Please share your views and experiences with us.

From April 2007 the council will be legally required to ensure all its activities meet Gender Equality requirements - both in terms of employment, and also with regard to every aspect of service planning and delivery.

We will therefore be required to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment; and
Promote equality of opportunity between men and women

Under this the duty the council is required to produce a Gender Equality Scheme - a plan outlining our goals and targets for achieving them.

The 2007 Gender Equality Questionnaire and a covering letter was sent out to a representative sample of 5,000 households and to local faith, community and voluntary organisations around the district.

The Consultation ended on Friday 2 February 2007.Thank you to everyone who answered the questionnaire and shared their views about gender equality with us. The results of the survey helped us to develop our first Gender Equality Scheme and Action Plan that were published in April 2007.

Disability Equality

Thank you for sharing your views about disability equality with us. Your feedback has helped us to develop our final Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan that were published in December 2006.

DisabledGo - Freedom and choice for millions of people

Launched to mark the European Year of Disabled People, DisabledGo is an ambitious Internet service which will transform the daily choices available to millions of disabled people, their families and friends. Founded by wheelchair user Gregory Burke and supported by Marks & Spencer and leading local authorities, this innovative service is opening up towns and cities across the UK.

Canterbury City Council has signed up to the DisabledGo project. DisabledGo have undertaken an access survey across the district. The access guide is available on-line, and allows people to accurately access services, entertainment and information on venues including restaurants and shops. Disabled people can find out whether a venue is suitable for their particular access needs. The Canterbury DisabledGo website was launched in May 2006 and received over 10,000 hits in its first two months of operation.

Equalities employment monitoring statistics

Canterbury City Council monitors employees, applicants for jobs and leavers by ethnicity, gender, age and whether they are disabled. We do this to check whether our workforce matches the profile of the local community.