Equality & diversity
For Middlesbrough Council, equality and diversity extends beyond just meeting statutory obligations. Only by understanding the rights, requirements and expectations of our diverse communities can we deliver exceptional services to both residents and visitors that meet their needs.
As a public authority, Middlesbrough Council is subject to a number of different pieces of legislation which set out how it should act and how it should deliver its services. One of these pieces of legislation is the Equality Act 2010. The Act contains a provision known as the Public Sector Equality Duty. This requires that the Council considers equalities within its decision making processes and when delivering services. In particular it must have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act
- Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
- Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
Having due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity may include:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people because they hold a protected characteristic
- Taking steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it
- Encouraging people to participate in public life
The protected characteristics are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender Reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or Belief
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
It is important that the Council is able to demonstrate how it meets these duties. Information to demonstrate how the Council meets these duties is set out within a range of documents and the annual Equality and Diversity report summarises the approach.
Contact us
If you would like more information on the council's equality and diversity work then you can contact Performance and Policy:
Telephone: 01642 729080
Email: diversity@middlesbrough.gov.uk