Background

Equality and Diversity Capacity Building was an area identified in the bid to the ODPM for capacity building funding in 2005. This was in response to audit commission and other inspection reports which identified equality and diversity as a general area of weakness across Wiltshire authorities.

A programme of work has been developed in 2 phases

Phase 1 – Diagnostic Assessment of performance of authorities against Equality Standard for Local Government and production of action plans to raise all authorities to level 3

Phase 2 –Identification of key common areas of weakness in Equality and Diversity and projects developed to raise capacity and skills across the county.

An associated piece of work is to map equality and diversity initiatives around the County.

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Work & progress

A further Equality Impact Assessment training Session was held on 7 September in Salisbury.

An Equalities in Procurement Workshop will take place on 11th September 2007 in Trowbridge. The Course Flyer can be viewed here

Further assessment visits are planned with all authorities to review progress against Level 2 actions required and to develop action plans to help authorities reach level 3 ESLG.

Proposals are being developed for a Consultation Event to be held in November 2007. Following this, proposals will be developed for a Good Practice Showcase to be held early in 2008.

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Officer group

A project Team has been developed and includes officers from each authority.

Membership

Mary Cullen, Wiltshire County Council

Amber Skyring, Salisbury District Council

Lisa Hayes, West Wiltshire District Council

Debbie Lardner, North Wilts District Council

Brad Fleet, Kennet District Council

Di Parkin, IDeA

Graham Partridge, IDeA

The group meets monthly with consultants to plan and progress projects. Agendas and minutes can be viewed here.

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Contact

Project lead:

Mary Cullen

Job title:

Community Planner

Organisation:

Wiltshire County Council

Address:

County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. BA14 8JB

Telephone:

(01225) 713717

Fax:

(01225) 713771

E-mail:

mcullen@wiltshire.gov.uk