Equal Opportunities
This Equal Opportunities Policy was unanimously readopted by the Council at its Annual Meeting in May 2019. It was last reviewed 14th March 2024.
General Statement
1. Rippingale Parish Council is committed to the principles and practices of Equality and values the diversity of the local population.
2. The Parish Council is committed to:
- Promoting equality of opportunity for all persons
- Promoting a harmonious environment in which all men and women are treated with respect and dignity and in which no form of intimidation or harassment is tolerated.
- Preventing occurrences of lawful and direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
- Fulfilling its legal obligations under the Equality legislation and associated Codes of Practice.
- Taking lawful affirmative or positive action where appropriate.
- Complying with its own Equal Opportunities Policy
3. The Equal Opportunities Policy applies to Members of the Parish Council, employees, applicants for employment and volunteers.
Aims of the Equal Opportunities Policy
4. It is the policy of Rippingale Parish Council to provide equality of membership to all, irrespective of:
- Gender, including gender reassignment
- Marital or Civil Partnership status
- Religious belief or political opinion
- Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, being an Irish traveller
- Having, or not, dependents
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age.
5. All members of the Parish Council, its staff and volunteers will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions on membership, selection of Office, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and based on aptitude and ability.
Implementation
6. The Chairman and all Members of Council have the responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy. The Parish Council shall:
- Communicate the policy by issuing a copy of the Policy Document to all members.
- Endeavour through appropriate training to ensure that it will not consciously or unconsciously discriminate in the selection or recruitment of applicants for membership of the Council or its employees or volunteers.
- Ensure that adequate resources are made available to fulfil the objectives of this policy.
Monitoring, Review & Complaints
7. The effectiveness of the Equal Opportunities Policy will be reviewed annually, and remedial action will be taken as necessary. Any complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Complaints Procedure.
The pdf versions of the policy and precedure documents can be found here.