SOA - Equalities
Delivering against this we commit to reducing inequalities in all forms. In addition to those identified in the Equality Act 2010, our communities in Argyll and Bute face three key areas of potential inequality that we must ensure are planned for in the SOA. These are:
- Geographical inequalities
- Health inequalities
- Economic Inequalities
To address these many and challenging issues will require an approach which reflects the principles of co-production and which embraces changes to economic, cultural and environmental conditions and prevailing circumstances, improving infrastructure to aid and overcome issues with access to services; and to strengthening communities and individuals.
Addressing these will require the CPP partners to collate evidence and identify where the agreed priority action areas are. This will be aligned with the strategic outcomes in the SOA, identifying clear actions for delivery.
Geographical inequalities and a clear analysis of place will be further highlighted in the additional census information at local areas which will be published throughout 2013. This analysis will inform the strategic approach to our communities and support the development of localised planning where this is a priority.
Economic inequalities, unemployment and under employment are key drivers for health and geographical inequalities. Low income is widely recognised as a driver for many other areas of inequality. The focus of the SOA on economic activity and growth is fundamental to addressing this.
The Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership:
- Understands its legal and ethical equalities responsibilities to service users, staff and communities
- Builds its approach to equalities on human rights principles
- Takes action to ensure services become inclusive and accessible to all
- Uses Equality Impact Assessment, Equal Pay Audit and similar approaches to identify inequalities and ways of addressing them
- Provides equalities training, development and support to its Management Board, staff and partners
- provides leadership on equalities and human rights
- Collects monitoring information effectively, sensitively and in line with data protection law to assess levels of inequality and areas of concern
- Through its partners engages with staff, service users and other stakeholders in order to understand their needs.