1. Refresh of the Equality Strategy Evereth Willis Equality and Community Cohesion Officer 020 8545 4637 evereth.willis@merton.gov.uk

2. Equality Act 2010- Public Sector Equality Duty Due regard to: Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, Advance equality of opportunity Foster good relations between persons

3. Protected Characteristics Age Disability Gender reassignment Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation

4. Merton’s Equality Objectives Every four years we must publish equality objectives. We have identified the following: Tackling Inequality Service Access Improving Engagement Promoting Community Cohesion Workforce Development

5. Tackling Inequality Schools attainment Improving outcomes Anti-poverty initiatives Health inequality Economic development Access to employment

6. Service Access Undertaking Equality Analysis (EA) and targeting the gaps identified Ensuring that savings proposals all have thorough EAs Prevention and independence (Direct payments) Building equality considerations into Public Value Reviews Building equality considerations into the Commissioning process

7. Improving Engagement Young people Carers/Links and other groups, Older People – improving the mechanisms to reach these groups BAME engagement e.g. BAME Governors Voluntary and Community Sector support for engagement Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community – promote the LGBT forum

8. Promoting Community Cohesion Celebrate diversity Partnership work with each other in the community Delivery of Community Cohesion Strategy action plan Using the Annual Residents Survey results to inform service delivery and improving perceptions Address demographic change Equal access to volunteering opportunities

9. Workforce Development Becoming an employer of choice Learning and Development - Developing staff from under-representative groups Pathways into employment Apprenticeships for young people (Looked After Children, mental health, offenders)

10. Workforce Development Raise awareness of mental health Valuing staff diversity / staff appreciation of diversity in the community

11. Developing priorities The strategy has been informed by : BAME Strategic Plan Department Service Plans Community Mapping Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Census

12. Timescale Consultation concludes 31 December Report to Cabinet 18 February 2013 Report to Council for adoption of the strategy 27 March 2013

13. What are your views on the strategy? Do you think we have the right objectives? Are there any other issues you think should be included in this Equality Strategy? What would you like to see in the action plan that supports the strategy

14. Next Steps Share views today Email/call me at evereth.willis@merton.gov.uk or 020 8545 4637evereth.willis@merton.gov.uk