Corporate Equality Plan and Race Equality Scheme
Race Equality Scheme
HCC Race Equality Scheme 2006-2009
Race Equality Scheme 2003-2006
The general duty | County Council services | Population data | Recent research | Working in partnership | Contracted services | Complaints | Monitoring | Training
The strategic aims, values, principles and standards of the County Council form the basis of our Race Equality Scheme. The Council has a well established structure to respond to the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act. The Corporate Equalities Strategy and action plan have been in place since April 2000. An audit against the CRE Standards in October 2001 placed the authority at level 2 and identified some key areas for improvement.
The general duty
Hampshire County Council is committed to:
Eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
Promote equality of opportunity; and
Promote good relations between people of different racial groups.
County Council services
Not all the services delivered by, and on behalf of, the Council are direct to the public and therefore may be seen as not having a direct impact on race equality. However, assessment of the activities by each department indicates that all functions have an impact on the general duty in different ways. The Council's approach to include equalities intends to ensure that the impact on race equality is considered in all business of the authority.
Population data
According to the census of 1991, the minority ethnic profile of Hampshire, excluding the unitary authorities of Southampton and Portsmouth, represents approximately 1.34% of the population (see table for details). These figures are the latest available but we await data from the 2001 census.
Research into areas with small minority populations in Norfolk and Devon indicate that the issues faced by minority ethnic communities in rural locations are different to those in more urban areas. The smaller communities are more likely to face discrimination but without the support mechanisms that larger communities are able to offer.
Table 4.2: Percentage of Persons of Ethnic Minorities, 1991 Census
District |
% in ethnic minorities |
|---|---|
|
Basingstoke and Deane |
2.2 |
|
East Hampshire |
1.0 |
|
Eastleigh |
1.6 |
|
Fareham |
0.9 |
|
Gosport |
1.1 |
|
Hart |
2.1 |
|
Havant |
0.9 |
|
New Forest |
0.7 |
|
Rushmoor |
2.6 |
|
Test Valley |
1.1 |
|
Winchester |
1.0 |
|
Hampshire |
1.3 |
|
South East (exc. London) |
3.3 |
|
GB |
5.5 |
Recent research
There is not a clear understanding of the views of the minority ethnic communities in Hampshire. Some information has been gathered through a recent market research exercise. In general, satisfaction with Council services among minority ethnic communities reflects the results of the overall residents survey. However, there is evidence to suggest that within minority ethnic communities there is not a clear understanding of the role of the County Council. There is a corresponding lack of information regarding the service requirements of these communities within the Council.
Working in partnership
The first action to be taken will be to improve this communication gap and the Council will work with our partner agencies in district, borough and town councils, Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils as well as other public bodies in the County to develop a co-ordinated approach.
To ensure the effectiveness of our scheme the Council will need to work closely with our partner organisations in Hampshire including:
Hampshire Constabulary
The Probation Service
The National Health Service
Local Voluntary Organisations
Other local authorities i.e. district, borough, town, parish and unitary councils
The Council will also ensure that the Compact Agreement and Community Strategy processes reflect the general duties.
Contracted services
A number of our services are delivered on our behalf by other organisations. In order to meet the general duties the Council will ensure that our contracting and tendering arrangements include clauses to this effect.
Complaints
The complaints procedures will record racial incidents and complaints of a racist nature as well as monitoring the ethnicity of those making complaints. The Council will also work with partner agencies to support a single reporting mechanism for racist incidents in line with the Hampshire Constabulary.
Monitoring
An essential part of action on race equality will include the introduction of monitoring systems. Some services already have systems in place but others will be developed. The purpose of such systems will be to use the data collected to compare with the population data in order to identify gaps in service uptake and take action to improve services.
Training
Training is an essential element of the approach to improving performance in equalities. There are a variety of courses already available and the plan and scheme reinforce the requirement for all staff and members to undertake appropriate training to raise awareness of their role in promoting race equality and equal opportunities. Specialist race equality training will be provided for all staff and members.
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