Equality and diversity

Equality and diversity is a key ingredient in building a diverse, competent workforce, excellent people-centred services and promoting the general well-being of Wycombe's communities and its people. It lies at the very heart of everything we do in employing people, providing services to people and in shaping the place they live and work.

Our work is guided by a clear set of core values, one of which is equality and accessibility for all.

We are opposed to discrimination and harassment and are determined to do everything we can to make sure that:

• people are treated fairly
• everyone has access to good quality public services
• all of the district's diverse communities take part in shaping the future of the district

We are committed to promoting equality and justice both for the people we serve and the people we employ. Our ambition to achieve equality for the people of Wycombe is not merely driven by legal requirements, but is intrinsic to the way we think and is consequently part and parcel of everything that we do.

We value and celebrate the diversity of local people and believe it essential to try to understand the different contributions, perspectives and experiences that people in our community have. We believe that the diversity of our population and workforce is one of our greatest strengths.

However, these aims cannot be achieved without people from every community in Wycombe understanding their responsibility to build "one community" and to be socially responsible for one another.

Equal opportunities

We are keen to ensure that all people are treated fairly and equitably, taking the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 into account within all aspects of council functions.

Wycombe district has a diverse mix of men and women with differing ages, races, religious beliefs and sexual orientations. Some may be trans-gender, married or in a civil partnership, and others may be pregnant. Within each of these groups some people will have a disability.

We believe in working to promote equality of opportunity and to work towards the elimination of discrimination for all.

Hate Crime

Our Community safety pages have information on hate crime, and our Hate Crime policy will be adopted later in the year.

You can also find advice and report hate crime incidents at the True Vision website (see link below) which aims to improve the service the Police provide to minority communities. Our Community Safety pages have more information.

Equality policy and vision

Our Equality policy and vision forms part 1 of our Equality framework and describes how we are working to achieve our equality vision. It conforms to all current equality legislation and a copy is available to download at the bottom of the page.

Equality scheme

Our Equality scheme forms part 2 of our Equality framework and describes how we are acting to monitor and deliver such equality. It includes our seven equality strands which are age, disability, gender, race, religion/belief, sexual orientation and low income. Achievement against the scheme is monitored through our Strategic Equalities Group (SEG) which is made of two parts - a core group made up of Wycombe District Council officers and members and a wider group which includes representation from various local voluntary and statutory organisations such as Wycombe Race Equality Council, Wycombe Area Access For All, the Priory Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau. You can download a copy of our Equality Scheme at the bottom of the page.

Corporate Equality Plan 2011-2012

Our Corporate Equality Plan shows the priority equality targets and actions for the year 2011-12. The document can be downloaded below.

Children and young people

Children and young people are important to us. Young people are currently one of our four main priorities. Find out what we are doing for children and young people.