Equalities

There are substantial economic and social costs of inequality. According to research, at the current rate of change the gender pay gap will be closed in 2085, the ethnic minority employment gap in 2105 and the disability employment gap will probably never be closed. Gender, age, ethnicity, disability, religion and belief, and sexual orientation can all be triggers of discrimination and disadvantage. Councils have legal and moral duties to promote equality of opportunity and should be sensitive to the diverse needs for local services within their communities. The council has responsibilities to promote equalities as a provider of services, as a democratic body which is representative of all interests in the community, as a major employer, as a community leader. The WLGA Equalities Improvement Framework is an aid that is used to mainstream equality into business planning and risk management, performance assessment and planning change.

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