Championing equality and diversity

Making sure our services are accessible to all our residents and celebrating diversity are core values for the council - and we have been commended for our efforts.

The council has achieved level three of the national Equality Standard for local government accredited by the Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDeA). 

This involved external assessors from other authorities visiting the council.  They considered the council's evidence and conducted interviews with staff, including our UNISON representative, councillors and partner organisations, and looked at how we integrate equality and diversity into all aspects of our work including service delivery and employment.  Level three not only means that we ensure equality and diversity in all that we do, but that we also set and achieve our own equality and diversity objectives and targets.

Hertsmere's strengths and achievements in equality and diversity highlighted by the assessors include:

• being 100% Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant
• having staff that are enthusiastic, professional and committed to delivering excellent services for everyone
• helping those affected by the economic downturn which included producing an information booklet called Beat the credit crunch
• having housing and homelessness strategies that target the most vulnerable - we organise visits to schools to explain what happens if young people leave home
• developing partnership working - examples include our innovative speed meeting event with representatives from Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and working with Chinese and Turkish caterers to help them comply with legal food safety regulations
• engaging with people - through initiatives such as our annual youth council and our older peoples' forum
• providing activities for all - we have programmes for children and young people as well as those aged over 50
• having more compliments from customers than complaints on our Comments, Complaints and Compliments electronic feedback system
• regularly monitoring performance
• strong leadership and commitment from the Leader of the Council, Chief Executive and senior management.

Donald Graham, Chief Executive of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "It is of great merit that we have met the requirements for level 3 of the standard - this means that the council has progressed from a 'developing' to an 'achieving' authority when it comes to equality and diversity.

"The assessors applauded the enthusiasm and professionalism of staff, councillors and community partners, and the fact we have achieved the standard ahead of our target date of December reflects our commitment and hard work in strengthening the council's equality and diversity programme."

The assessors also highlighted some areas for improvement which include enhancing our community engagement, integrating internal data systems to share information and enhance the customer experience.  They also suggested we continue to use innovative recruitment programmes to make the council a more representative employer.

The unconditional successful assessment puts Hertsmere Borough Council amongst the small number of district councils leading the way in equality and diversity.

There are five levels of the Equality Standard although the IDeA have recently introduced a new Equality Framework with three levels.  Level three of the standard is equivalent to level two of the framework.