Cheshire East Council is asking residents, staff and communities for their views on its refreshed equality objectives as part of a duty to comply with the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 aims to ensure that all public bodies play their part in making communities and society fairer, by tackling discrimination and providing equality of opportunity for all.
The public consultation on the council's draft equality objectives, runs until 31 July. Responses will shape and direct the equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and provide opportunities to build on the work that it has delivered so far.
The council's aspiration is that Cheshire East is an area of equal opportunity where everyone has a fair chance, and people from all backgrounds take part in community life.
The four draft strategy objectives are:
• Include – listen and involve all voices;
• Inspire – celebrate and promote diversity and the positive opportunities it brings;
• Integrate – deliver and promote accessible services for all; and
• Inform – empower people to respectfully challenge discriminatory and poor behaviour
Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for public health and corporate services, said: "Our vision is to make Cheshire East a welcoming place, where equality, freedom, fairness and opportunity are open to all. We want everyone to feel valued, to celebrate diversity and to understand people's different needs and aspirations, whether they are living, visiting or working here.
"This proposed equality objectives and supporting strategy builds upon the significant progress we have made and outlines our ambitions and plans to continue to promote opportunities for all throughout Cheshire East.
"Equality, diversity and inclusion really does matter as every single person that we all work with, whether a fellow councillor, member of staff, resident or one of our many customers deserves to be treated fairly and with respect."
Councillor Marilyn Houston, Cheshire East Council's new equality, diversity and inclusion member champion, said: "We know that Cheshire East is becoming an increasingly diverse area, as people recognise it as a great place to live and work with excellent schools and great transport links.
"Towns across the borough are home to varied communities from Eastern Europe, East Timor, Syria, India, Bangladesh and the Caribbean to name but a few, and there are currently 108 languages spoken across the borough.
"The current coronavirus pandemic has exposed health inequalities in the population. Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and those experiencing poverty and social exclusion, are more at risk. This makes our work around equality, diversity and inclusion of even greater importance.
"That's why talking to and listening to our residents and communities should be at the centre of everything we do. I urge everyone to have their say and provide feedback before the deadline of 31 July."
Residents can submit their views online.
If residents would like to receive the survey in a different language, an alternative format or enquire about taking part in a telephone survey, please contact [email protected] or call 0300 123 5038.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I don’t think it makes them look good - except to other money-swigging, box-ticking politicos.
It’s the wrong time to be even considering a review of equality / diversity issues and again, completely misjudges the priorities of the tax-paying public.
I entirely agree with your comments.
This council just don't get it, do they ?
As I understand it, this survey is not of CEC’s making but they are legally mandated by the Westminster government to undertake it. That being the case, you are shooting the messenger, rather than complaining to the instigator, your MP.
I have also had a look at the survey - It makes my heart sink.
It's a confection of PC terminology and obfuscation designed to confuse and confound the public into believing that action is being taken over a profoundly nebulous issue.
If as you say its an edict from Westminster, its' a case of "The Emperors New Clothes."
CE Council should be the brave little boy (or girl) that tells them it's dishonest, that they are strolling around in the "altogether" and that they refuse to spend our money on stuff that adds no value and doesn't serve the local community.
I have also had a look at the survey - It makes my heart sink.
It's a confection of PC terminology and obfuscation designed to confuse and confound the public into believing that action is being taken over a profoundly nebulous issue.
If as you say its an edict from Westminster, its' a case of "The Emperors New Clothes."
CE Council should be the brave little boy (or girl) that tells them it's dishonest, that they are strolling around in the "altogether" and that they refuse to spend our money on stuff that adds no value and doesn't serve the local community.
I think Pete Taylor is correct and maybe you should direct your comments to our M.P. not
Cheshire E. Council, who have little choice but to comply with The Public Sector Equalities Duty, (part of The Government Equalities Office). Should you get a response it would be lovely if you could share it with us.
Let us consider the opposite of this.
Imagine of it was the vision of the Council 'to make Cheshire East an unwelcoming place, where inequality is the norm and some people are denied fairness and opportunity. We think some people will feel valued here and others, not so much. We think diversity is a bad thing, if you don't fit in with the majority then what are you even doing here? We will never meet everybody's needs so we will just continue to meet the needs of those whose needs are already being met'.
It would be terrible wouldn't it if this was the vision of our Council? Who could support such a position?
It would be almost as bad if this was the reality of living in Cheshire East for some of our neighbours. I wonder if it is? I think we should find out. Because if it is we should do something about it. Don't you think?