Equality Policy and Objectives

As a local authority, Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) has a specific duty to publish Equality Information annually and 'Equality Objectives' at least every four years. The Council's Single Equality Scheme sets out the Council's approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The policy outlines MDDC's vision and how we will achieve this. Using data from the most recent Census, the policy also provides a background to the community we provide our services to. 

The Single Equality Scheme 2023/24 was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday 2nd April 2024.

At Mid Devon District Council, we want to work with individuals and groups to continue to improve our services and to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. In order to achieve this, we will:

• Seek to understand the needs of our community
• Know our customers and their specific needs
• Involve the community in changes that might affect them
• Develop services that can respond to the requirements of different residents
• Develop an inclusive working environment
• Ensure equality in procurement and commissioning
• Promote equality through working with others
• Recognise the needs of specific equality groups

Equality Objectives

The Council also has a duty to publish one or more specific and measurable objectives to achieve the General Duty outlined in the Equality Act 2010. From 2024/25, the Council's Equality Objectives are:

1. Meeting the needs of an aging population.

• Implement the Meeting Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (narrative update)
• Provide housing adaptations in MDH housing stock (Number per year)
• Provide adaptations for adults in private sector housing through grant awards (Number per year)
• Increase our understanding of MDH tenants through the “Getting to Know You” project (% of residents with data captured)

2. Overcoming the problems faced by vulnerable individuals caused by rural isolation.

• The Council, and partners, effectively signpost individuals to relevant information e.g. neighbourhood officers signpost vulnerable individuals to support, MDH surgeries (narrative update).
• Implement the Care Leavers Council Tax Discount Policy (household uptake)
• Carry out MDH Neighbourhood roadshows, “Neighbourhood Matters” based in communities where tenant satisfaction is low (Number of events/ attendees)

3. Overcoming the effects of multiple disadvantage in families and individuals with complex needs.

• As a partner of The Community Safety Partnership, practitioners within the Council support to transition from being Trauma Aware to Trauma Informed (CSP Annual report)
• Tackling damp and mould in council housing stock (% of all homes have received damp and mould relating inspections or works in the past 5 years)
• Increase the understanding of MDH tenants through the “Getting to Know You” project (% of residents with data captured)
• Deliver on Serious Violence Duty through the Devon Preventing Serious Violence Strategy 2024-29 (narrative update)
• Provide adaptations for children in the private housing sector (Number of grants approved)
• Monitor cases dealt with where hoarding, cluttering or cleanliness in the home is an issue (Number of cases)
• Monitor homeless approaches (Number per year)
• Undertake private rented housing inspections and monitor those that related to damp and mould where action is taken (Number per year)

4. To continue to concentrate on mental health issues within MDDC and the wider community.

• Include regular articles contained within internal communications (Number of articles in “The Link”)
• Provide free at the point of use leisure services for adult carers, parent carers and young carers (provisional, uptake)
• Increase our understanding of MDH tenants through the “Getting to know You” project (% of residents with data captured). Supported by the MDH Vulnerability Policy.
• As a partner of The Community Safety Partnership, practitioners within the Council support to transition from being Trauma Aware to Trauma Informed (CSP Annual report)
• Host financial support drop in sessions supported by Navigate (Number of events/ attendees)

5. Secure decent digital connectivity for all of Mid Devon

• Monitor and lobby for better digital connectivity (narrative update)

6. Continuous improvement at Mid Devon District Council

• Staff and Councillors undertake training to improve their understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Equality and Diversity course, % completion/ uptake)
• Develop a better understanding of our workforce (% of workforce with equality monitoring data)
• Improve accessibility to council facilities, particularly accessible toilets (projects completed)