Councils have a critical role to play in reducing inequalities and enhancing inclusion and cohesion within their communities. This page brings together the range of support and resources we have on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), providing a central hub for officers and members to access tools to achieve their EDI objectives and meet obligations set out in the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 applies to all local authorities and includes a general duty for all organisations to take steps to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- Advance equal opportunities for all
- Foster good relations between all individuals
It also includes the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires that public bodies, including councils, consider how policies and decisions might impact people with protected characteristics outlined in the Act (including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation).
Further information relating to the Act and these public sector duties can be read on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
The following collection of support and resources is designed to help councils uphold their responsibilities under the Act and progress EDI objectives across all protected characteristics, as well as other measures of inequality.
Ensuring greater diversity, equality and inclusion within councils’ own organisations and communities is important for local government and provides a clear pathway for a more vibrant democracy, supporting better life outcomes and representation for all.