Equity, diversity and inclusion in Westmorland and Furness

As a public authority, Westmorland and Furness Council is subject to the public sector equality duty set out in the Equality Act 2010. This means that in exercising our functions we must work towards:

• eliminating discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Act
• advancing equality of opportunity between those with and without protected characteristics
• fostering good relations between groups with and without protected characteristics

We are also subject to specific duties requiring us to:

• set organisational equality objectives every four years
• report annually on our progress under the Equality Act
• report annually on our gender pay gap

More detailed information is available in the Government’s guidance for public authorities on the public sector equality duty.

We use the following definitions of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI):

• equity: means that, in some circumstances, people need to be treated differently in order to provide meaningful equality of opportunity
• diversity: recognising, and celebrating, that people have different characteristics, backgrounds, attributes, cultures and experience
• inclusion: actively ensuring that everyone is included, welcomed, represented and reflected, in our services, council and community

We have agreed that the following groups and characteristics are within scope of the EDI work the council undertakes:

Groups within scope of our equity, diversity and inclusion focus

Protected characteristics under the EA 2010

• age
• gender reassignment
• maternity/pregnancy
• religion/belief
• sexual orientation
• disability
• marriage/civil partnership
• race
• sex

Additional themes identified by W&F

• armed forces families
• people who are care experienced
• rurality
• socio-economic inequality

For further information about the Council's EDI work, please contact: equalities@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk