Equality, Diversity and Cohesion legal framework

The Council has a duty to ensure that all services are accessible to all residents and visitors, and to ensure a fair and supportive environment is provided for all employees, members, and whoever the Council works in partnership with.

Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act came into force from October 2010 providing a modern, single legal framework with clear, streamlined law to more effectively tackle disadvantage and discrimination.

Public Sector Equality Duty 2011(PSED)

The equality duty was created by the Equality Act 2010 and replaces the race, disability and gender equality duties. The duty came into force in April 2011 and covers age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. It applies in England, Scotland and in Wales.

Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

The Human Rights Act 1998 (also known as the Act or the HRA) came into force in the United Kingdom in October 2000. It is composed of a series of sections that have the effect of codifying the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

All public bodies (such as courts, police, local governments, hospitals, publicly funded schools, and others) and other bodies carrying out public functions have to comply with the Convention rights.

Government Equalities Office (GEO)

The GEO lead on issues relating to women, sexual orientation and transgender equality matters; we have responsibility across government for equality strategy and legislation.

In order to fully achieve this, the council has adopted the Equality Framework for Local Government which has three levels to attain, and the Council currently has ‘achieving’ status. Plans are underway to reach ‘excellent’ status by 2012.

The Council’s Corporate Equality Team are working with all departments to co-ordinating efforts across the council to ensure services are accessible to all Wirral residents and visitors, and to ensure all existing/potential employees have equal opportunities within the workplace.