At Bournemouth Borough Council we believe that:

• People should be treated fairly
• Everyone should have equal access to our services
• We should be socially inclusive and transparent in all we do
• Our customers and staff should be valued
  

The Council is committed to providing equality of opportunity in terms of employment and access to services for all staff and the communities we serve.  The council recognise that certain groups and individuals within society may be disadvantaged and discriminated against for a variety of reasons.  Discrimination is detrimental to effective service delivery and can have a negative effect on fairness when delivering a service and impacts on the recruitment and retention of staff. This is unacceptable as the Council believe that it is in the best interests of everyone to promote fair and equal treatment.

The Council is determined in working towards the elimination of discrimination.

Equality and Diversity Policy

Bournemouth Borough Council Equality and Diversity Policy (PDF 52kb)

The purpose of the Equality & Diversity Policy is remove barriers to equal opportunities and to prevent any form of discrimination regardless of an individual’s ability, age, responsibility for children or other dependents, gender, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, political or religious belief or non belief, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, trade union membership or activity, or work pattern.

The Council recognises that the provision of equal opportunities in the workplace is good management practice.  The policy will help all employees to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the workplace will be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the Council.

Equality Scheme

Bournemouth Borough Council Equality Scheme 2008 - 2011 (PDF 2mb)

This is Bournemouth Borough Councils Comprehensive Equality Scheme which details our commitment to equality in relation to Age, Disability, Gender, Race, Religion, Belief and Non-Belief,  Sexual Orientation and Trans Awareness. 

The Scheme is currently with printers and will be published in its final format soon.  If you would like more information about the scheme, please contact the Equalities and Diversity Team.

An Executive Summary of the Equality Scheme will be made available in alternative formats upon request.