Equality information publication

As part of our Public Sector Equality Duty, we are required to publish information to demonstrate our compliance with the Equality Duty. Therefore, we are publishing equality information we have collated and analysed under different functions and services.  

In meeting our compliance, we have adopted the guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and undertaken the following steps:

• Assess relevance of functions and policies to the Equality Duty.
• Assess existing equality information and identifying information gaps.
• Carry out equality analysis for strategies and policies relevant to the Equality Duty
  
• Review community consultations and engagements and take account of equality issues.
• Develop a corporate process for setting equality objectives.

The information being published contains equality information reviews, summaries of equality data relating to our policies and service outcomes.

Information gaps

From the review we carried out last year, we are continuing to address the information gaps by improving data systems, equality monitoring process and providing training to staff in obtaining equality information in the most appropriate and sensitive manner. The key actions in 2012:

• Developed a leaflet aimed at customers explaining about equality monitoring.
• Developed a new consultation policy to ensure good practice.
• Upgraded data system in Housing capable of recording equality information of customers of all protected characteristics.
• Upgraded monitoring system for all complaints and compliments received in service areas to include all protected groups.
• Analysis of customer complaints by protected characteristics and by service areas.
• Production of 'State of Ipswich' report to include diversity data for the district as it becomes available from the Census 2011.
• Provided equality training to Customer Service Centre staff.

Equality information 2013

The Council embarked on a major organisational change in 2012 which has resulted in structural changes to the senior management team and all the operational areas. The process is continuing into 2013 at service team level. This has had an impact on the production of equality information due to the reduced capacity in teams and changes in operational management. 

Therefore, further equality information will continue to be published throughout the year, in addition to that published in January 2013. We will also be reporting on the outcomes of our equality objectives in April 2013.

The equality information that we have collated and analysed can be accessed by selecting one of the functions and services listed below.

• Employment
• Community and Cultural Services
• Housing and Customer Services
  
• Development and Public Protection
• Benefits
  
• Corporate Services
• Other services.

State of Ipswich

Every year we produce a report which gives a summary of the headline statistics about Ipswich including diversity profiles.

• State of Ipswich Report

Equality Objectives and Action Plan

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty, Equality Act 2010, we are also required to publish our equality objectives in meeting the three aims of the Equality Duty. These equality objectives must be published at least every four years and the first publication date is by 6 April 2012.

In response to the above requirement, we have developed an Equality Scheme - A Fairer Ipswich 2012-2015. The Scheme is an important document.  It will be used to drive our corporate planning, policy and decision-making processes. It is relevant to all residents, service users, councillors, employees, partners and those who are contracted to work for the Council and those who visit or operate businesses in Ipswich.

The Scheme sets out our corporate commitments and responsibilities with regard to the Equality Duty and our organisational arrangements in meeting these responsibilities. A key part of the Scheme is our stated Equality Objectives and Action Plan (Appendix 1 of the Scheme) detailing the activities and measurable outcomes. The Scheme has been the subject of public consultation and the findings are summarised in Appendix 2 of the Scheme. 

• Equality Scheme - A Fairer Ipswich 2012-2015
  

For further information on Equality and Diversity or the equality information that we have published, please contact Rowena Kerr, Equality and Diversity Project Officer, on 01473 433409 or rowena.kerr@ipswich.gov.uk.