The Public Sector Equality Duty
Report on the Publication of Equality Information – An Overview
Introduction
In accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty the Authority has
published a range of information on their Equality and Diversity web pages to
show that the Authority has due regard to the need to:



Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation or any other
conduct prohibited by the Act in relation to the protected characteristics
Advance equality of opportunity for all persons
Foster good relations between groups of people who share a protected
characteristic and those who do not
This information relates to:
 employees who share protected characteristics
 people who are affected by the Authority’s policies and practices who
share protected characteristics (for example service users).
The protected characteristics covered by the Equality Duty are:
 Age
 Disability
 Gender reassignment
 Marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of elimininating
unlawful discrimination)
 Pregnancy and maternity
 Race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality
 Religion or belief –this includes lack of belief
 Sex
 Sexual orientation
The Information Published
This information includes amongst other things:
1. Our Equality and Diversity policy entitled “No Matter Who”.
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/the_council/policies/corporate_policies/equality_a
nd_diversity_policy.aspx
2. Examples of plans, policies and strategies aimed at addressing equality
issues. These relate to our workforce and the services which we deliver to
members of the public. We have also published a statement in relation to the
employment information which we have published to comply with the equality
duty and our plans to further develop the information which we hold.
For an example of workforce equality monitoring reports please click the link
below:
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/the_council/_more_on_about_the_council/equality
_and_diversity/single_equality_scheme_2012-20.aspx
3. Information about how we foster good relations between groups of people
who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. This is provided
in our Communities Together: Celebrating our Communities web page.
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/the_council/more_about_the_council/communities
_together.aspx
4. Details of our Equality Impact Assessment Framework which supports good
decision-making by ensuring that we consider how different people will be
affected by our policies, strategies and proposals and helping us to meet
different people’s needs. This includes a link to our Consultation Hub which
includes the results of consultations.
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/the_council/more_about_the_council/equality_and
_diversity/equalities_-_assessment_and_co.aspx
5. A link to our boroughwide Research and Intelligence Hub (Stats & Maps)
which provides a wide range of quantitative and qualitative information which
is used by services to inform decision-making. For example demographic
data, customer insight initiatives, joint strategic needs assessments etc.
We are continuously developing our intelligence and where gaps are identified
we seek to prioritise efforts around these gaps. We also share data with
partners and draw upon a wide range of information held by partner
organisations based within the Borough and within the North West Region
and also national data sources. Please see below links to our 2011 Census
Briefing on Rochdale Borough, and examples of joint strategic needs
assessments which we have undertaken.
http://www.statsandmaps.org.uk/2011Census
http://www.statsandmaps.org.uk/jsna
6. Information on the various ways in which we collect people’s views and
identify equality issues for example, customer insight initiatives, local forums,
our Youth Parliament and our annual Equality Listening Events.
We are
continuously looking at ways in which we can encourage people to have their
say on how we may improve services to make them more appropriate and
sensitive to the needs of all our communities.
In November 2013 we held a special young people’s Question Time
Over 100 young people, including youths from local disability groups, young
carers, members of Rochdale borough’s Youth Parliament and youth clubs,
came together to debate how to shape Rochdale Borough’s future.
7. Examples of programmes such as the Literacy Champions Programme and
the Community Champions Programme and outcomes achieved. These
Champions are well placed to help address the needs of people who do not
traditionally engage with services and act as trusted advocates or brokers
between them and relevant services.
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/jobs_and_training/volunteering/community_champ
ions.aspx
What We Are Doing to Build on our Understanding of the Different
Needs of People Within our Borough
We are currently reviewing all the equality information which we collect and
the methods used to collect this. We will be further developing our local
intelligence of the needs of people within our borough in line with legislative
requirements and Council priorities. The outcome of the review will feed into
our equality plans for the year 2014-15. We are committed to collecting
information where appropriate to improve services for our customers.
Our boroughwide research and intelligence hub, Stats and Maps will
continually be updated with key equality information, allowing people to carry
out in-depth analysis of our communities and gain a greater understanding of
how best to meet local need. In the near future it is planned to have an even
wider range of equalities information, including a new section around our
customer segmentation information.