To approve the Herefordshire Equality and Human Rights Charter.

The Cabinet Member Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources noted that work on the Equality and Human Rights Charter had been done in conjunction with partner organisations Hereford Hospitals Trust (HHT), Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the equality and diversity team.  The new charter sets out a common sense approach to the duty that authorities have to their communities and residents and that everyone could expect the same level of treatment with respect and dignity.

Cabinet noted that Herefordshire was one of the first in the country to underpin the statutory duties with the charter which is supported by all three organisations.

RESOLVED: That the Herefordshire Equality and Human Rights Charter be approved as the overarching equality policy for the Council.