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South East Regional Equality and Diversity Strategy

13 July 2005

To invite the Regional Management Board to agree the proposed vision statement for equality & diversity.

Secondly, to nominate the Chairman of the RMB as the regional champion for equality and diversity.

Finally, to agree to the creation of a regional equality and diversity working team, reporting to a Principal Officer with responsibilities for equality & diversity across the region, via the Human Resources Development Group

Equality & Diversity has previously not been included within any of the South East regional work streams. Consequently the topic has become marginalised slightly, at a time when there is ever increasing priority placed upon equality & diversity issues from the centre.

Several other RMBs have already agreed to support the introduction of a regional equality and diversity strategy and this paper seeks the support of the RMB to do the same for the South East region.

The paper sets out the context of why effective management of equality and diversity is key to our business, not only in reducing the risk of litigation and bad reputation, but highlights the clear link between effective performance management of equality & diversity and improved service delivery.

The business case is set out within the strategy, and highlights the benefits of developing a creative and innovative culture. It identifies the alignment of equality & diversity with corporate and social responsibilities and lists some of the benefits of a regional strategy including:

• The sharing of limited resources
• Benchmarking best practice
• Standardisation of policy & practice
• Reduced vulnerability & potential for litigation
• Improved Service Delivery

The equality and diversity strategy has been consulted on with members of the HRDG who have agreed to support the proposed implementation

That the RMB notes the report and agrees to the proposal for the introduction of a regional equality & diversity strategy including:

• The adoption of the proposed vision statement
• The nomination of the Chairman as a regional equality & diversity champion
• The creation of a regional working group reporting to a nominated principal officer with the reference for equality & diversity via the HRDG

To ensure consistency of approach and sharing of limited resources across the region in order to;

• Provide clear leadership for equality & diversity
• Ensure effective performance management of equality & diversity throughout the region
• Ensure compliance with legislation, best practice, and reduce vulnerability to litigation
• Improve service delivery to our diverse communities

LEAD/CONTACT OFFICER: DO Andy Kettle
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 07900057846

EMAIL: andy.kettle@hantsfire.gov.uk

BACKGROUND PAPERS: Regional Strategy Document (Attached)

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