Shifting Public Perceptions

Equalities and Diversity: The Story so far in Barking & Dagenham

Over the last three years the Council has undertaken extensive work on the corporate equalities and diversity agenda. The objective is to develop a modernised equalities and diversity policy and strategy. This has resulted in the introduction of a 3-year corporate strategy, agreement of a vision statement for the Borough, development of a draft corporate policy framework and work by the Council’s Human Resources team on the modernisation of equalities and diversity in employment. The Council established a Lawrence Inquiry Officers Working Group (LIOWG) and completed a corporate audit against the LGA (Local Government Association) Lawrence Inquiry recommendations for local government. This Group co-ordinated race equality initiatives across the Council and produced the ‘Beyond Lawrence’ Report, that established the approach to the Council’s first Race Equality scheme (RES). The Council have also set up a Corporate Equalities and Diversity Steering Group, chaired by Roger Luxton, a member of the Council’s Management Team. This pan-Council group includes representatives of all departments and key areas, and has co-ordinated work across the Council. A Corporate Race Equality Co-ordination Sub-Group has succeeded the former LIOWG, to oversee the implementation of the Council's Race Equality policies. The Council has appointed a Corporate Equalities and Diversity Adviser and five Policy & Review (Equalities & Diversity) Officer posts in the Council’s service departments. This team has led two highly successful Management Conferences on the theme of equalities and diversity. Current projects include:

	working to the Equalities Standard for Local Government;	j
	rolling out guidance and induction on the use corporate contract with Barking and Dagenham Translation and Interpreting Service to improve customer care by allowing all staff access to these services.


	monitoring and commenting upon the equalities targets in the Heads of Service Balanced Scorecards (the Council’s unique performance monitoring model).
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	publishing and implementing our Race Equality Scheme (RES) as required by the Race Relations (amendment) Act 2000.


Other projects include delivering the equalities and diversity objectives in the Community Strategy; developing mainstreaming and policy proofing; strengthening service monitoring, evaluation and review systems; improving consultation and engagement; and meeting the requirements of the Disabilities Discrimination Act (1995) and the EU Article 13. A Vision Statement for the Borough The Council has agreed the following vision statement which attempts to outline the type of equalities and diversity organisation that the Council wishes to become: We wish to create and pursue a vision of Barking & Dagenham Council as a modernised local authority, that through its equalities and diversity strategy:


	We will actively celebrate the diversity of our community and the contributions made by the various groups in the borough.

	We will actively promote equality of opportunity and celebrate diversity in everything we do, including the planning and provision of services, employment of staff, working with other agencies, use of contractors and public consultation.


	We will treat all people equally and fairly. This will be an integral part of planning and delivering our services.

	We will strive to eliminate all forms of direct and indirect discrimination.
	We will strive to have a workforce which reflects the community that it serves.
	We will routinely monitor our services to ensure we live up to our commitment.
	We will oppose racism in all its forms, and we have a separate statement covering this.


2. Race Equality Strategic Aims

	We aim to implement as quickly as possible, all the recommendations flowing from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry and prepare to comply with the provisions of the new Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.


	Every part of the community is entitled to have access to and receive good quality services, and to have a say in how they are provided.

	We will strive to find ways to consult and work with all sections of the community; to obtain views on the quality and appropriateness of our services.

	As a Council we will take steps to ensure that our processes for contracting and employment of goods and services are open and fair.

	As a Council, we will use our community leadership role to take the lead in strongly opposing all forms of racism. It divides local people and denies equality of opportunity to part of our community. This will be a consistent theme with key strategic partners and the Borough Partnership.



	We will work to overcome institutional racism and direct and indirect discrimination, both in the services that we provide and those provided by other organisations/bodies on our behalf.


	We will strive to create a discrimination free work place and encourage a workforce representative of the borough, so that as a Council, we are in a position to better identify and respond to the needs of the community.


	We will celebrate cultural and other forms of diversity, as this enriches the life of our borough.