Publishing of equality information
Publishing of equality information
Southwark's approach to equalities sets the council's ambitions for equality including how equality information will be used to help us deliver this. Here we have published information about our use of equality data, as a means of demonstrating how we are meeting the public sector equality duty.
Southwark's approach to equality
We have set out an approach of how the council's aims for equality in Southwark will be delivered. It tells you what you can expect from the council, what the government expects of us and what the council is committed to doing. It explains our approach to advance equality of opportunity within the borough by making equality part of our day to day business.
Assessing the impact of our budget decisions
In September 2010 cabinet agreed seven principles that would guide its decision making on the budget. One of these principles was to "limit the impact of its budget on the most vulnerable and to being transparent with any specific group or groups of users who may be affected by any cut or reduction in service provision, and to conduct an equalities impact assessment on our budget proposals."
Information about the population of Southwark and users of our services
We analyse population data to inform service planning. We also undertake deeper analysis of key communities within the population.
The council also uses information of our services users to help us improve our services through better understanding of the people for whom we are delivering them. In preparation for setting our equality objectives in April 2012 we are looking at what information we use.
Community impact statements are provided in all reports to cabinet, individual cabinet members, scrutiny, regulatory committees and community councils. Community impact statements enable decision makers to identify how a decision might affect different communities in Southwark and to consider any implications for equality.
Making our democracy more accessible
Our aim is to provide opportunities to Southwark's residents, businesses and organisations to fully engage in the community. We understand that for equality to be achieved it must be something that everyone understands and feels able to contribute to. We will ensure that residents are involved in making our services more accessible and that we work to increase opportunities for under represented communities to be involved in developing policies and making decisions that affect them.
The democracy commission was set up in July 2010 to improve the level and the quality of 'people power' in the borough by making council meetings more open and effective. Its aim was to bring the council closer to its residents, making it more accountable to them and more connected with their concerns.
Phase one of the commission (summer 2010 to spring 2011), looked at ways in which council assembly could be improved, based on your feedback and suggestions. Phase two reviewed the role and function of community councils, identifying how they can be improved as well as ways to make savings.
Engaging a "critical friend"
The Forum for Equality and Human Rights in Southwark (FEHRS) acts as a 'critical friend' to the council. It provides support and challenge to help us ensure that our policies are as fair as possible. Information about FEHRS can be found at the Southwark Legal Advice Network (SLAN)
Equality information about our workforce
The council's workforce reports looks at the profile of the council's workforce against the protected characteristics of gender, ethnic origin, age and disability. It also provides data by themes such as sickness absence and recruitment and a commentary on the actions that will be undertaken as a result of issues arising in the report.
