Councillors approve new equality outcomes for a fairer Aberdeenshire

Councillors approved the launch of six new equality outcomes for the Council this week, which will be in place from now until 2021.

The new outcomes will help us provide a level playing field for people with protected characteristics, both within our organisation and in our local communities.

The aim is to build on previous work and promote a fairer, more inclusive Aberdeenshire where everyone can feel part of the community and ensure that equalities are always an important consideration in everything we do.

Some of the key themes highlighted by the equalities staff survey in August 2016 were:

• Accessing interpretation and translation services
• Prejudice and discrimination reporting processes
• Accessibility of council buildings
• Recruitment processes

This feedback, together with responses to community surveys, and from the Citizens’ Panel and number of internal workshops, have helped to shape our 2017-2021 equalities outcomes. Please take some time to read them.

The next step is for services across the organisation to develop work plans that will help us to work towards achieving these outcomes. 

Chief Executive Jim Savege explains: “Working to achieve these outcomes will help us to ensure Aberdeenshire is a level playing field for all. You can be part of that. Understanding and respecting differences among colleagues, service-users and partners may sound simple but it is also very important. We can all be role models and champions for equalities within communities across Aberdeenshire.”

For more information about equalities and how it relates to your role, check out the Equalities pages on the website, or contact your Equalities Champion or a member of the Equalties Team.