Equalities Scheme

Foreword

I remain of the view that equality of opportunity and good race relations are fundamental components of a civilised society and I am committed to eliminating discrimination in all its forms.

In the course of the last year we have built upon equality issues that have been placed at the heart of the Board’s decision making process. We continue to consider equalities issues at our monthly management meetings and continue to review the practices and procedures followed in the exercise of the Board’s responsibilities with regard to Non-Domestic Rates, Council Tax and Electoral Registration. We have also provided training to all members of staff intended to promote respect at work.

The Board has recently implemented the national single status agreement for Local Authority Employees in Scotland. In line with this agreement, all jobs have been re-evaluated to ensure that there is no gender bias. A revised pay and grading structure has been introduced together with a revised package of terms and conditions of employment. An integral element of the revised package is the adoption of a number of new policies which are aimed at eliminating discrimination and promoting an appropriate work life balance. These policies include, for example, policies aimed at promoting opportunities for working mothers such as flexible working, career breaks and other similar measures. An independent consultant has undertaken an equality impact assessment of the job evaluation and terms and conditions package and has confirmed that these are both robust and non-discriminatory.

During the course of the last year the Board has also joined the Ayrshire Equality Partnership. This Partnership, which meets at quarterly intervals, includes representatives from; South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Ayrshire Sikh Association, and Ayrshire Minority Ethnic Community Association. Such meetings provide an invaluable opportunity to discuss various approaches to equality issues and it is anticipated that in future the partnership will provide a platform by which collaborative actions and consultations can be undertaken.

In undertaking this review the opportunity has been taken to bring together the Board’s three existing separate equality schemes for race, disability and gender into one single revised scheme. This revised scheme, which is set out below, encompasses all the separate aspects of race, disability and gender and allows these to be dealt with in a co-ordinated approach with one single action plan and one single reporting structure. The revised scheme is also intended to lay the foundation for dealing with the Board’s new equality duties as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

I intend to ensure that we continue to deliver on the proposals and actions within our revised scheme by monitoring and reporting on progress to Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board and citizens of East, North and South Ayrshire.

    Equalities Scheme 2010

 

Alastair Kirkwood

Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer
Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board

 

This page last updated : June 2011