Council Set to Endorse New Equality and Diversity Strategy

A commitment to help tackle inequality, celebrate diversity and promote inclusion is set to be endorsed by South Tyneside Council this week.

The new Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy (EDIB) 2024-2027 outlines the Council's position on EDIB matters and the efforts being made to ensure services delivered are responsive to the needs of all residents.

In a report to Borough Council on Thursday (17 October), members will be given an insight into the characteristics of the local population and Council workforce as well as hear about the good work undertaken over recent years to contribute to the aims of the Equality Act 2010.

This ranges from holding hate crime awareness activities, including an upcoming From Adversity to Diversity conference, and cultural celebration events to developing accessible facilities such as playgrounds and toilet facilities. The Council has also developed a range of internal employee networks that encourage an understanding of difference within the workplace.

The report also outlines how the Council will continue to do all it can to embrace inclusivity and diversity, engage with hard-to-reach communities and ensure that the Council plans and provides services, policies and employment opportunities in a fair, inclusive and equal way.

Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities, said: "South Tyneside is a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work and visit, with a rich culture and diverse communities that we continue to champion and celebrate.

"While we already do a great deal of work around equality, in line with our key ambition of 'Targeting Support to Make Things Fairer', it is important to make sure we are doing all we can to improve the lives of our residents and to help them thrive.

"This new strategy reaffirms our ongoing commitment to challenging and eliminating discrimination, prejudice and inequalities with a view to making equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging integral to everything we do.

"Through this work we want to make sure our policies and employment opportunities are fair and equal and that the services we deliver are accessible and inclusive to all. Our new Equalities Information Report helps us to do this by giving us a proper understanding and insight into the diverse communities we serve and the people we employ."

The new EDIB strategy builds on and sets out what actions will be taken against the Council's three Local Equality Objectives that were identified earlier this year.

These include:

• Improving the Council's data and understanding;
• Strengthening the Council's approach to Engagement and Co-Production;
• Continuing to embed EDIB into the Council's culture, workforce and everything it does.

The policy has been developed with national legislation and best practice taken into consideration. It also incorporates feedback from various services and stakeholders, such as the South Tyneside Regional Equality Forum and the Council's various internal EDIB employee networks.

Councillor Dean added: "Through the EDIB Strategy we want to lay strong foundations so that our services can go further in challenging inequalities. However, everybody has a role to play in this. It is important that we all celebrate the differences in our communities and work together to break down stereotypes and prejudice to create a stronger, more inclusive Borough for the benefit of all."

The meeting of Borough Council takes place this Thursday (17 October), at 6pm, at South Shields Town Hall. Borough Council meetings are livestreamed on the Council's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com@southtynesidecouncil