Councillors at Wednesday (10.10.07) evening’s Cabinet meeting voted to approve a draft Gender Equality Scheme for submission to Full Council.

During discussion of the item, Members heard that under the Equality Act 2006, which amended the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Council was legally obliged to promote gender equality and eliminate sex discrimination.

They were also informed that there were six steps which the authority needed to take towards meeting its duty, which involve gathering information on how the Council’s work affects women and men; consulting employees, service users, trade unions and other stakeholders; assessing the different impact of policies and practices on both sexes’; identifying priorities and set gender equality objectives; planning and taking action to achieve those objectives.

Once the Gender Equality Scheme has been approved by Council, a gender equality scheme will be published and progress reviewed every three years.