Equal Opportunities Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P19
Adoption Date Feb 2020
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Equal Opportunities Policy
1. Executive Summary
1.1 Great Sankey Parish Council is committed to:
a. encouraging equality and diversity
b. promoting dignity and respect for all, where individual differences and contributions
are recognised and valued
c. creating an environment free from bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful
discrimination
d. ensuring training and development opportunities for all staff and Councillors who will
be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, so their skills and resources
can be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the organisation.
1.2 Great Sankey Parish Council, in providing services and facilities, is committed against the
unlawful discrimination of members of the public.
1.3 Great Sankey Parish Council is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among
its members and employees and eliminating unlawful discrimination.
1.4 This policy is intended to outline the equalities commitment by the Council to members,
employees and members of the public.
2. Legal Position
2.1 It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual on the following grounds:
a. age
b. disability
c. gender reassignment
d. marriage and civil partnership
e. pregnancy and maternity
f. race
g. religion or belief
h. sex or gender
i. sexual orientation
These are ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010.
2.2 The Council opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination whether it be direct or
indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of any of the protected
characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010.
3. Purpose
3.1 The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Council provides equality, fairness and
respect for all staff, Councillors, members of the public and any other agency that comes
into contact with the Council.
3.2 Through this policy, the Council endeavours to oppose and avoid all forms of unlawful
discrimination. This includes pay and benefits, terms and conditions of employment,
dealing with grievances and discipline, dismissal, redundancy, leave for parents, requests
for flexible working, and selection for employment, promotion, training or other
developmental opportunities.
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GSPC Equal Opportunities Policy
4. Responsibilities
4.1 All Councillors and staff are required to read and understand their responsibilities under
this policy.
4.2 The Clerk has overall delegated responsibility for co-ordinating the day-to-day operation
of the policy and the development, maintenance and monitoring of supporting
procedures.
4.3 The Clerk will ensure that complaints of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful
discrimination are dealt with in a serious manner. Such acts will be dealt with as
misconduct under the council’s grievance and disciplinary procedures and any
appropriate action will be taken. Particularly serious complaints could amount to gross
misconduct and lead to dismissal without notice.
4.4 The Clerk is responsible for ensuring that staff and Councillors are trained and informed
in relation to this policy. This includes acknowledging rights and responsibilities under this
policy in addition to understanding that staff and Councillors can be held liable for acts of
bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination against staff, councillors
and members of the public.
4.5 All Councillors and staff have a responsibility to ensure that their actions comply with
both the requirements and essence of the Equality of Opportunity Policy. This includes
not just adhering to the policy but to actively promote inclusivity, to be aware in their daily
work of anything they or others do that may put some groups at a disadvantage and to
develop inclusive working practices.
4.6 Councillors and staff are entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and
respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
5. Complaints
5.1 Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly or not in accordance with this policy
may complain to the Parish Clerk following the Council’s Complaints Policy.
5.2 Any reported breaches of this policy will be subject to an investigation and dealt with
appropriately in a timely manner.
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