To receive an update about Diversity and Equalities issues facing Herefordshire Council and agree the measures necessary to ensure that the Council has all the evidence to demonstrate the achievement of Level 1 of the Local Authority Equality Standard (the Standard) immediately, and has sound plans to reach Level 2 and beyond. 

THAT 

(a)        the Comprehensive Equality Policy, as revised, which will replace the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy, be approved; and

(b)            Cabinet commits to the process of Corporate Equality Planning by means of a Corporate Equality Plan to implement the Policy, including consultation, community development and scrutiny.

Although the Council adopted the Equality Standard for Local Government in 2002 and has had the Equal Opportunities Policy since 1998 (reviewed in 2002) the latter is not sufficiently comprehensive to meet all the detailed requirements of the Standard.

There are no alternative options.