Including Everyone - the Mid Beds Equality & Diversity Plan

This article contains linked documents on the right of the page

The Equality & Diversity Plan 2006-09 was adopted by the Executive in November 2006. This followed a period of consultation with members of the public and community groups on the council's new duty to publish a Disability Equality Scheme, in addition to the Race Equality Scheme. The plan exists to ensure that the council's employment practices and its service provision are operated in a manner that complies with the spirit and the requirement of all current equality legislation.

Consultation on Disability Equality Scheme

The council appreciates the help it received with developing our first Disability Equality Scheme. The council has produced a Consultation Summary available here containing the responses we received to the draft Disability Equality Scheme. You can also download a copy of the original draft Disability Equality Scheme and the consultation questionnaire.

Gender Equality Consultation

The new Gender Equality Duty became law on 6 April 2007. Mid Beds is currently preparing its first gender equality scheme and is consulting the public and interested groups and stakeholders on what should be included in the scheme and what targets should be a priority. For further information on Gender Equaliities please click here.

Mid Beds Equalities Action Team (M-BEAT)

This group used to be called the Equalities Opportunities Working Group and is a group of staff from all departments of the council; together with a representative form Bedford Race Equality Council and a Member Champion, Councillor Anita Lewis (Potton and Wensley). The team aims to drive forward the council's commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity in employment and equal access to service delivery.

The group meets approximately six times a year and steers the Equality and Diversity Action Plans. The overriding target is to reach Level 3 of the Equalities Standard for Local Government by April 2009 and to deliver equal access for everyone.

M-BEAT News

M-BEAT Chick Chat extract June 07
M-BEAT Chick Chat May 07
M-BEAT Chick Chat public Extract April 07
M-BEAT Chick Chat Extract March 07
M-BEAT Chick Chat Extract February 07
M-BEAT Chick Chat Extract January 07

BREC Newsletters
BREC Newsletter July 2007
BREC Newsletter June 2007
BREC Newsletter May 2007
BREC Newsletter Mar-Apr 2007

On this page.........

Over the coming month's this page will include the Equalty & Diversity Action Plans together with reports on the council's progress. In the meantime please contact Jan Esson for further information on 01462 611049 or email jan.esson@midbeds.gov.uk

External links:

Report it -True Vision is the Hate Crime Incident Reporting Scheme.
Bedford Race Equality Council (BREC) -this site provides an overview of all the services provided by the BREC and how to access them.
Improvement and Development Agency(IDeA) -for help building equality into core business planning.
Age Positive -the Government site for age equality.
The Campaign Against Age Discrimination in Employment (caade)
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) - an independent body, established to eliminate discrimination against disabled people and promote equality of opportunity.
The Gender Trust -a charity which helps with gender identity issues.
GIRES (UK) a registered charity providing education based on research into gender identity and intersex issues.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) - a leading agency working to eliminate sex discrimination today.
The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) -a publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)