Equality Scheme: 2020-2024

We are pleased to introduce the recently reviewed and updated Equality Scheme for Torridge District Council. The scheme sets out our ambitions for the next four years, building and improving on our achievements, so far. It covers the period 2020 to 2024.

Torridge District Council is committed to achieving equality of opportunity both as an employer and as a provider of services. We believe that equality is about valuing a person 'as an equal' regardless of their characteristics and treating people according to their needs in order to achieve an equal or fair outcome.

This is reflected in our core values which include promoting fairness and ensuring that all of our customers have equal access to the services that we have to offer.

We feel it is important to demonstrate to our employees, customers, visitors, contractors and partner organisations our drive to continue embedding equality into everything we do, as well as clearly stating how we are meeting our legal obligation of the Equality Act and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Councillor Ken James, Leader of the Council

Steve Hearse, Chief Executive

Torridge District Council ("the Council") aims to treat its residents, customers, councillors and employees fairly and with respect. To achieve this, the Council considers people's different needs when making decisions and providing services.

The Council will:

• Ensure everyone receives a fair service;
• Make public information accessible to all our customers;
• Provide an environment that promotes dignity and respect;
• Eliminate intimidation, bullying or harassment;
• Better understand the local community in order to provide improved services; 
• Provide equality training for its employees and Councillors; and
• Promote and make available this policy to all.

The Council, in line with the Equality Act (2010) will:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act;
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

The Council has also chosen to consider implications for those suffering from socioeconomic disadvantage; this can include people on low incomes, as well as rural and urban deprivation. As the District of Torridge consists of 984 square kilometres (380 square miles) rurality is a particular consideration for the Council.

The Council provides equality training for councillors and employees so they can understand and promote equality in the Council's day to day business and is committed to progressing equality over the next 4 years.

Protected Characteristics

• Age
• Disability
• Sex
• Gender Reassignment*
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion/Belief
• Sexual Orientation

* Before, during and after transition. The Council understands there are many different identities which fall under the trans umbrella, including identities outside of the gender binary.

Objective 1

Design and deliver services that meet the needs of the communities we serve. By understanding that our customers come from different backgrounds, and encouraging others to do the same, we can improve the quality of life for everyone by ensuring people who live, work and visit Torridge are treated fairly, with respect and are given the same chances and opportunities.

Objective 2

As an employer we ensure that every possible step is taken to make certain that our staff are treated fairly and equally and that decisions in recruitment & selection, training, and promotion are based on objective criteria and that reasonable adjustments are made to meet individual needs where feasible.

Objective 3

Where a third party provides goods, services or works on our behalf, we will ensure they have policies, procedures and practices that do not discriminate and they will deliver goods, facilities and services that are appropriate and accessible. We will monitor contracts and service agreements to ensure they meet their equality commitments.

Population

In mid 2019 Torridge's resident population was 68,267 (the 2011 census had a population of 63,839, showing a 6.9% increase over the past 8 years).

Gender

51.1% of residents are female; 48.9% are male. There is gender pay imbalance - in 2019 the average female weekly earnings by workplace are £422; for males £493.

Race

In the 2011 Census 97.1% of the Torridge population are White British and 1.6% are White Other. 0.7% are Mixed Race; 0.4% are Asian; 0.1% are black; and 0.1% are Ethnic Other. 

Disability

In 2016, 2,480 people (6.5% of those aged 16-64) are claiming ESA and incapacity benefits. 370 (1% of those aged 16-64) are registered as disabled.

Ageing Population

Between 2016 and 2041 the population of Torridge is expected to shift dramatically towards the oldest groups, with the residents aged 65 or over increasing by 52% (with the greatest increase in the 85 or over group (+123%).

Working Age Group

By 2041 the number of 19-64 year olds is forecast to increase by only 0.3%.

Young People

It is estimated that the numbers of 10-19 year olds in Torridge is increasing. Between 2016 and 2041 the number of young people aged 0-15 is forecast to increase by 10%.

Age Profile

In 2019 it is estimated that 16% of the Torridge population are aged 0-15; 27% are aged 16-44; 29% are aged 45-64; and 28% are aged 65 or over.

Housing

In 2018 the average property sale price was £244,903 (an increase of 3.1% on the previous year).This is 10 times the average residential earnings.

High demand for housing reduces affordability for residents on average earnings. Housing affordability is an even greater problem in more rural wards where the housing supply is further limited.

Low Wage Economy

Torridge has one of the lowest average weekly earnings of any district in the UK. In Torridge 40.5% of workers earn below the living wage (compared to 22.8% nationally).

Health Inequalities

Hospital admissions for self-harm in Torridge are 40% higher than the average for England.

The suicide rate in Torridge is 29% higher than the average for England.

Estimated levels of adult excess weight are higher in Torridge than the English average.

Deprivation

The overall national indices of Multiple Deprivation shows Torridge ranked 67 (out of 326) most deprived local authority in England, and the most deprived of the Devon districts.

Rural Deprivation

Torridge is predominately rural and is officially classified as 'Rural 80' with at least 80% of the population living in rural settlements and larger market towns.

For Torridge residents the average travel time (public transport/walking) to the nearest services is 36.8 minutes.

On average public transport/walking times to key services are double the time in Torridge than in England, cycling times are 80% higher in Torridge than in England, and driving times are 24% higher in Torridge than in England.

Fuel Poverty

A household is said to be in fuel poverty if they have required domestic fuel costs that are above the national median level and, if they were to spend that amount, they would be left with a residual income below the official poverty line. 12.6% of homes in Torridge are in fuel poverty which is in the highest 10% of 326 local authority areas.

Community Safety Partnership

Working with other public bodies to consider wider issues, such as crime prevention and anti-social behaviour, working together to improve the quality of life for residents.

Council Meetings

Ensure accessibility of Council meetings and events by using venues that are accessible wherever possible. There is a hearing loop installed in Bideford Town Hall. A lift is also available making all floors accessible.

Customer Hub

Torridge's customer hub at Riverbank House was designed with full accessibility and includes hearing loop facilities and disabled toilet facilities.

Communications

We take steps to make all information as accessible and as easy to read as possible and we provide alternative methods of communication when required, including large print letters, telephone calls, visits, translations.

Council Tax Assistance

Providing financial assistance for those in need of help towards the cost of Council Tax.

Affordable Housing

Assistance with applications to the 'Devon Home Choice' housing register

Disabled Facilities Grants

Available to assist with the cost of improving access to, and facilities within properties (e.g. stair lifts, ramps etc.)

Car Parks

The Council provides 55 spaces in its public car parks dedicated for the use of disabled residents and visitors

Accessible Toilets

Public toilets across the district include facilities for disabled users

Waste & Recycling

We provide assisted collections to those unable to comply with the requirements of our kerbside collections

Armed Forces Covenant

The Council are committed to signing to this pledge to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

Dementia Awareness

Some customer facing officers have had dementia champion training

Pay Parity

The council monitors male/female pay differentials and the difference between the salary of the Chief Executive and the lowest grade of pay in the Council.

Taking Complaints Seriously

The Council has a robust complaints process in place to ensure that complainants are treated with courtesy and complaints are investigated fully and promptly

Disability Awareness

Consideration is given to disabled facilities as part of the development process for new projects

Encouraging Whistleblowers

Employees can confidentially disclose their concerns about apparent wrong doings such as fraud, malpractice, breach of any health and safety law, or any other illegal act, either on the part of management or by fellow employees. The Council seeks to protect a person's identity when they raise a concern and do not want their name to be disclosed.

Providing Apprentice Opportunities

The Council supports members of our community to help them gain skills and knowledge in a specific role.

Tackling Hate Crimes

Through the Community Safety Partnership we monitor hate crime and coordinate awareness raising and targeted actions.

Stopping Domestic Abuse

The Council have signed-up to GMB's Work to Stop Domestic Abuse Employment Charter. More than 270 staff are protected by the charter.

Westward Ho! Slipway

Extending the slipway to improve access and to ensure our Blue Flag beach can be enjoyed by all.

Torridge Website

Our website content follows web-accessibility standards, including access keys, screen readers, changeable font sizes, and links to the Aids Trust). Our website can be translated into many different languages

Equality and Information Support

Our website provides a list of information and support (both local and national) relating to the protected characteristics.

Torridge District Council seeks to provide a diverse range of support to local communities, financially and through the provision of information, advice and guidance.

The 4 year Community Grants Scheme concluded in 2019/20. A further £74,000 was allocated for local projects, taking the 4 year total to over £1Million used to deliver important funds to local communities. In 2019/20 a further 20 diverse, successful projects benefited from the scheme. Some of the beneficiaries of the grants are listed below:

• Milton Damerel Landing Lights
• Appledore Community Hall 
• Friends of Buckland Brewer School 
• North Devon Display Gymnastics Club 
• St Giles Skittle Alley 
• Northam Lions Football Club
• Men's Shed
• Torrington Commons Parks 
• Holsworthy Youth Club 
• Allardice Hall 
• Luffincott & Tetcott Parish Council
• Northam Care Trust  

The Councillor Community Grant Scheme enables individual Ward members to support projects benefiting residents in their Wards. Councillors can join up with other ward Councillors to support a wider project, and can choose to award the whole of their budget to one project, or break the fund down into smaller grants to different projects.

In 2019/20 personal Councillor Grants of £2,000 each where again available,amounting to a further £72,000 being distributed to local communities

Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB)

The Council assists the CAB with core funding of £38,310. This local Charity provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on all subjects to members of the local community that require it. They aim to ensure that no-one suffers through lack of knowledge of the rights, responsibilities, and services available to them, or through any inability to express their needs effectively.

Holsworthy Rural Community Transport Association

The Council assists the organisation to meet its running costs with a grant of £3,250.  Access to services is a real issue for the most vulnerable in rural Devon and the council is keen to assist in providing a level playing field for all.

Taw and Torridge Voluntary Services (TTVS)

TTVS has been representing and supporting the voluntary and community sector in Torridge since 1988 and the Council has provides a core grant of £16,900 to TTVS to help vulnerable people with day-to-day living and to help community groups start, grow and survive against a backdrop of shrinking funds.  TTVS are in contact with over 380 voluntary and community groups, who can access a range of services and support as well as opportunities to meet and network with other organisations through events. Their Volunteer Centre has over 2,000 registered volunteers and can offer hundreds of rewarding volunteering placements for individuals who want to get involved within their communities. TTVS also provides services to hundreds of carers, young carers and older people through dedicated projects.

As part of the Equality Act 2010, public authorities must comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (the "equality duty"). The equality duty replaced the previous race, disability and gender equality duties and was developed to extend across all the protected characteristics. It consists of a general equality duty, supported by specific duties and requires public authorities to consider or think about how their policies or decisions affect people who are protected under the Equality Act.

The Equality Act (2010)

The Equality Act (2010) requires public bodies to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Link to Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011

The specific duties require public bodies to publish:

• Information to demonstrate their compliance with the Equality Duty at least annually, and
• Equality objectives (which are specific and measurable) at least every four years.

Link to Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations

We welcome comments on the Equality Scheme and these will be taken into account for future versions.

For specific information regarding equality at Torridge District Council contact: Sarah.Ayres@torridge.gov.uk

We hope the services you receive from the Council meet or exceed your needs, but  we appreciate there are times when you feel unhappy with our services, or you may want to make a suggestion about how we can improve.

You can give us your feedback via:

• The Council's website
• Telephone 01237 428700
  (Typetalk precede with 18001)
• Visit our main office - Riverbank House, Bideford