Equality and diversity
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Our equality commitment
We are committed to ensuring that equality is a part of everything we do.
From the money we spend and the people we employ to the services we provide.
Our Plan for Barnet 2023 to 2026 sets out our aims for the next 4 years
We want Barnet to be an inclusive borough, where everyone’s hopes and aspirations can be made real.
Our diverse communities allow people of many different ethnic backgrounds, faiths and life experiences to live side by side.
We will support our communities to thrive in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.
We want to ensure people are not held back by poverty and that our success is shared.
These principles are key to how we work as a council and included in our Plan for Barnet.
Equalities, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policy 2024 to 2030
Our Plan for Barnet 2023 to 2026 is committed to tackling inequalities. We want everyone in Barnet to have a good quality of life; to be healthy and active, with access to excellent education, fulfilling employment, good housing, social connection and community. We will work with others to provide people with the right support when needed, to fight inequalities and reduce poverty.
We have reviewed and engaged with residents on a new EDI Policy that sets out how we will achieve this.
Legal duty
As a local authority we have legal duty to include equalities.
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act came into force on 1 October 2010 and brings separate pieces of legislation into a single act.
The act provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Equality Act Section149 introduced the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) which requires the council to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
These are sometimes referred to as the 3 aims of the general equality duty.
The Act explains that advancing equality involves:
- removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics
- taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people
- encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low
Protected characteristics
The equality duty covers the nine protected characteristics which are as follows:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion
- sex
- sexual orientation
Publication of equality information
As part of the public sector equality duty, we have a duty to publish equality information about our employees and residents who share a protected characteristic.
We must also prepare and publish equality objectives.
Strategic Equalities Objective (SEO)
To make sure the Fair Barnet work becomes widespread in Barnet Council, our three fairness objectives build transformative guidance into our Corporate Themes of People, Places and Planet set out in Our Plan for Barnet 2023-26. These fairness objectives also constitute our strategic equality objectives as (SEOs) required by legislation.
- People: Understand the whole person
- Place: Understand and tackle local causes of inequality
- Planet: Support a just transition to net zero
Barnet Annual Equality Report
Each year the council publishes an Annual Equality Report.
This outlines the key activities we have undertaken to address equality diversity issues within our local communities and as an employer.
State of the Borough Report
We have prepared a State of the Borough Report to start to build an understanding of residents’ experiences of inequalities in Barnet and the impact. Bringing together different themes, it provides an overview of what inequalities look like in important aspects of residents’ lives.
Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs)
Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are a way to make sure our individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of policies or procedures, strategies, functions and services.
It identifies any unmet needs and provides actions to improve services.
It assesses and records the actual, potential or likely impact of significant change, on different groups of people in a:
- service
- policy
- project
The consequences of policies and projects on particular groups are analysed and anticipated.
This is so any negative consequences can be removed and opportunities for equality can be taken.
We undertake Equality Impact Assessments on changes to policy or services that could have an impact on people that share a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
We may also consider the impact of the proposal on other groups not protected under the Equality Act including:
- parents
- carers
- socio-economic groups
Publishing Equality Impact Assessments
Equality Impact Assessments are attached to each committee report where there is a public decision on significant changes to policy or services.
A list of meetings including agendas, reports and minutes are available on our democracy homepage
Check EqIAs for the Finance and business planning report for 2023/24
Check EqIAs for the Finance and business planning report for 2024/25
Other equalities data
Key facts and figures about Barnet's population demographic information