The Board is responsible for making sure that a coherent and effective strategy is in place and provides an initial scrutiny role, ensuring equal and fair outcomes are achieved consistently across the organisation. The Board is accountable to the Corporate Leadership Team and provides assurance that appropriate actions are in place to deliver the strategy and that key risks are understood and being dealt with. 

The Corporate Group provides a cross-cutting overview of delivery of agreed actions, disseminates good practice and shares learning.  Chairs of the Directorate Diversity and Equalities Steering Groups have a seat on the Corporate Group, and are responsible for ensuring the agreed approach is embedded throughout the council through leadership of their respective Steering Groups. 

The Steering Groups provide a coordination function, helping implement agreed actions and facilitating longer-term change within their service areas in conjunction with Directorate Leadership Teams.

 

In particular they ensure the principles and strategic approach to equalities are promoted and understood in their Directorates, ensure that key data relating to service delivery is embedded in existing performance monitoring and review arrangements, that systems are in place to monitor service usage and customer satisfaction, and that actions are taken where equalities issues arise. 

All staff and elected members have a responsibility to ensure the principles of equality and fairness are delivered in practice.