Equality, diversity and human rights

Bury Council is working 'to lead, shape and maintain a prosperous, sustainable Bury that is fit for the future'. Mainstreamed throughout everything we do to achieve this vision are the principles of equality, diversity and human rights.

The Council provides leadership in the community and services to all people who live and work the Borough. We are also the largest and most significant employer in Bury. As such we are committed to providing fair and accessible services to meet the needs of all our diverse communities, and to being an employer of choice for everyone.

This not only meets our moral and legal obligations, but managed positively it helps us to be more efficient, effective and equitable. We also aim, by valuing and championing diversity and cohesion, to lead the way in good practice and set an example for others to join us.

Bury Council' has developed an equality vision of 'a cohesive society which values and embraces people's different needs, abilities, situations and goals, and promotes fair opportunities for people to live and flourish in the way that they would choose'.

The Council has a generic approach to equality issues, but within that particularly recognises the equality characteristics of race, disability, gender, gender reassignment, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and caring responsibilities.

In January 2012 the Council was proud to join with other partners and sign the Team Bury Equality Charter (copy attached below). The Charter illustrates our commitment to equality and diversity and sets out how we will strive to build a fairer Bury together.

On these web pages you can view details of our:-

Equality Strategy and Objectives 2012-2016
Equality Information
Equality Analysis Forms (previously ECIAs) - which analyse the effect of any new or changed policies and practices on equality
Equality Relevance Assessments (ERAs) and Impact Needs Requirement Assessments (INRAs) - which analyse the effect of our functions, services and existing policies on equality
Employee Groups. The Council has established five equality related Employee Groups who provide support to employees and work towards ensuring equality is proactively incorporated within the Council's policies and practices.

Our progress in terms of the equality and diversity agenda can be viewed in the attached equality action plans.

Further information and support

Further information can be obtained in the first instance from Catherine King, People Strategy Adviser (Equalities) on 0161 253 6371 (equality@bury.gov.uk)

Alternatively you can contact the Council's Spokesperson for Equality, Councillor Trevor Holt, via email at t.holt@bury.gov.uk. Councillor Holt's role involves supporting and promoting the interests of people from all the various equality groups (race, disability, gender, gender reassignment, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and caring responsibilities).
Trevor Holt