This resource is from the Issues section. This page contains details of Equality Standard for Local Government.

Sections available here:

• Equality Standard for Local Government
  • MPA Equality & Diversity Policy

Equality Standard for Local Government

In 2001, the MPA signed up to achieve level 5 of The Equality Standard for Local Government (ESLG) as a result of the GLA Group Best Value Review of Equalities and in 2003 MPA Members reiterated this commitment. The Equality Standard has been developed as a tool to enable authorities to mainstream gender, race and disability into policy and practice at all levels. The Standard provides a framework that has been extended to anti-discrimination policies for age, sexual orientation and religion or belief within the MPA.

The Equality Standard for Local Government was developed under the guidance of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Employers Organisation with assistance from the Audit Commission.

It provides:

• A systematic framework for the mainstreaming of equality
• Will assist the MPA in integrating equality policies and objectives with Best Value
• And provides a generic framework through which the MPA can address its obligations under anti - discriminatory law, such as, Equal Pay Act 1970, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976, Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which prohibits discrimination in the delivery of services and employment.

For further information and to view the full Equality Standard, please follow the link to the Employers Organisation.

MPA Equality & Diversity Policy

One of the core requirements for achieving level one of the ESLG is the need to develop a comprehensive equality policy that commits it to achieving equality across the six equality strands of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation and religion or belief.

To be an exemplar, the Authority will not seek merely to follow the law but to exceed it. It will operate to a “Gold Standard”, applying the highest standard of the law for any of the equality strands (race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age) to all the equality strands. This is best illustrated in the application of the principles of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations in relation to all equality strands.

This policy has been the subject of wide-ranging consultation, including 2 day conferences attended by staff of the MPA and MPS, external partners and community stakeholders. The Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board recommended its acceptance by the Authority as a corporate MPA policy. The policy was presented to the Full Authority on 25th November 2004. The Authority approved and accepted the policy and publicly reaffirmed its commitment and that of its staff to the principles contained in it. View MPA Equality and Diversity Policy (PDF)

While the policy is a comprehensive guide, it does not speak fully to every eventuality. To that end, the Race and Diversity Unit is in the process of producing guidance that will fulfil that role, offering explanation and case studies of best practice and signposting to external sources of explanation and assistance.

To make this policy a reality and to assist the Authority to achieve the best practice it aspires to, work is also in progress to finalise the Corporate Equality Plan. This will ensure that there is both aspiration and accountability in moving forward.

The following are available as PDF documents:

• MPA Equality and Diversity Policy
• Ionann Management Consultancy report of Equalities Consultation Workshop
• Focus Consultancy Interim Report
• Focus Consultancy Equality and Diversity Questionnaire

Portable Document Format (PDF) files require Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download from Adobe.

The following pages on the MPA Website are relevant:

• MPA and MPS Joint Equality Statement
• Equality Impact Assessments
• Anti-discrimination legislation - a brief explanation