Race equality

Race Equality Scheme 2005 - 2008

Summary

Our new Race Equality Scheme 2005/08:

• Has an introduction on the framework and the background to our Scheme, which is required of all public agencies as part of the specific duties imposed on them through the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000. (Page 2)
• identifies our core values, which include equality of opportunity, investing in our staff, meeting customer needs, etc. It also specifies Westminster’s approach to e race equality as well as our Race Equality Schemes. (Pages 3-5)
• contains information on ethnic diversity in Westminster and outlines the equality and other decision making structures, such as the Chief Officers’ Diversity Group (Pages 6 and 7)
• it details how equality work has been mainstreamed and provides information on training (Page 7)
• reviews in detail the work done on the “Top 10” priorities as identified in the previous Scheme 2002/05. Some of the work identified then, such as workforce profiles, continues and has been identified in the current Scheme as well. (Pages 8-14)
• outlines how we will undertake Equality Impact Assessments for any adverse impact – publishing the results of the Council's assessments, consultation and monitoring;(Page 15)
• states the functions and policies the City Council has assessed as being relevant to the general duty and will ensure that the public have access to information and services relating to Westminster (Pages 15-20)
• Has 4 appendices (on pages 22 – 29)
• on the Best Value Performance Indicators on equality issues and which chief officer is responsible for each of them
• on the Council’s workforce profile and key monitoring as at 1st April 2005
• on the 22 Pledges made by the Westminster City Partnership arising from the Westminster Ethnic Minority Needs Audit (WEMNA)
• on the Council’s Equality Champions/Advisors

On page 21 of the new Scheme, we have identified our 10 race equality priorities which are:  

1. Meeting Level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government by October 2006 and undertaking the preparatory work to meet Level 4 by 2008.
2. Completing the programme of actions set out in the Corporate Equality Action Plan.
3. Completing the three-year programme of reviews of the functions and services of the City Council, as set out in Section 5 of this RES and undertaking the necessary Equality Impact Assessments, where there is likely to be a particular impact on a community or communities.
4. Building the relevant race equality considerations into the procurement process to ensure that all our functions meet the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, regardless of who carries them out.
5. Align training with best practice and City Council Competency Framework to ensure that the general duty to promote equalities is understood and implemented.
6. Publishing an annual review of the City Council’s workforce and the outcome of certain personnel procedures in terms of employees’ ethnicity and undertaking initiatives that increase the diversity of the workforce, so that it better reflects the community we serve.
7. Launching a Westminster Partnership for Race Equality in 2005, to represent the views and interests of BME communities on the Westminster City Partnership.
8. Reviewing progress toward meeting the Year 1 Pledge by the Westminster City Partnership to respond to the WEMNA findings (October 2005) and to develop a Pledge for year 2 to take the action plan forward.
9. Consulting and engaging with communities as part of the City Council’s Civic Renewal programme and in the development of Westminster City Partnership’s revised City Plan (March 2006).
10. Establishing a Small and Minority Ethnic Business Council.

A full version of the RES is available on this Web site:

• Racial Equality Scheme 2005 - 2008