Equality Review
Carlisle City Council trail blazes equality in Cumbria
(Date of issue: Friday, 22 October 2010)
Carlisle City Council is trailblazing equality in Cumbria and is
the first district council in the county to be judged as an
‘Achieving Authority’.
Following a two-day assessment by Peer Assessors appointed by
Local Government Improvement
(part of LGA), the council was judged to be taking ‘positive
action’ to address the needs of all communities, including
hard-to-reach groups.
All the Cumbria Local Authorities will go through the same
process, but the City Council elected to be the first district to
be assessed. A ‘Diversity Peer Challenge’ was carried out earlier
this week and the assessors have confirmed that the City Council
have met extensive equality and diversity criteria.
Maggie Mooney, Carlisle City Council’s
Town Clerk & Chief Executive, said:
“This is an important
achievement for the City Council. Not only does it mean that we
have improved since our self-assessment in December 2009, but it
confirms what we already knew about our work on diversity and
equality – that it is a key part of our day to day council
business.
“It’s great news for
our staff, members, partners and stakeholders, but most of all for
our local communities. Congratulations to all those were involved
in the process and who work tirelessly to support our local
residents and communities.”
As part of the peer challenge, the assessors looked at how well
the City Council ‘knew its communities’; its community engagement;
customer care and ensuring that the council maintain a modern and
diverse workforce. The assessors identified the following City
Council strengths:
- Engagement with parish councils to inform and impact on
decisions;
- Actively engage with the Gypsy and Traveller community;
- Positive action has been taken to address homelessness,
including providing support on education, learning, apprenticeships
and support into employment;
- The Customer Contact Centre’s close partnership with other
agencies, including the Police;
- High number of community facilities which can be accessed and
used by local communities;
- Welcome days and information sessions for minority groups;
- Proactive approach taken to engage young people in leisure
activities which has had a positive impact on anti-social
behaviour; and
- Learning and development is a high priority for the
council.
Cllr Mike Mitchelson,
Leader of Carlisle City Council, said:
“The Diversity Peer
Challenge has proved to be a very valuable piece of work which will
help us take stock of where we are and how we can improve in the
future. It will help us to look closely at the way we operate and
act on the recommendations so that we are providing the best
possible services.
“We are a learning
authority which realises that to be excellent, we have to build on
our strengths but at the same recognise and tackle issues which
need further development. We look forward to receiving the full
report from the assessors.”
The abolition of the Comprehensive Area Assessment, the Local
Area Agreement and the Audit Commission means that peer assessment
is growing in importance as a way of challenging our way of
working. We invited this independent challenge and are delighted
with its findings.