EQUALITY POLICY

'I was pleased to be presenting the Equality Policy and Action Plan to Cabinet this evening, so that the public consultation process could be started with the wide Thanet community.

For me, it is a matter of moral and political duty to challenge and fight against prejudice and discrimination.

In the current economic climate, it is anticipated that residents will turn towards Thanet District Council in situations of difficulty and it is paramount that they are all treated in total fairness with dignity and respect.

I feel privileged to be able to uphold these principles within a policy document and I believe that Thanet District Council has an important role to play in championing the Equalities and Diversity agenda not only within the Council for its service users and staff but also in the wider Thanet community and its many residents groups.

I am grateful that in my Cabinet post I am supported by the Member Lead for Equality and Inclusion, Cllr. John Worrow, who contributed to the Cabinet debate this evening.” Gone are the days when a local government equality policy was just about ticking the right boxes and talking the talk. Thanks to people like Cllr. Michelle Fenner we are starting to walk the walk. It is encouraging to work with someone who genuinely understands what true equality means.”

The public consultation will enable comments on the policy itself and the action plan.

I expect, upon return to Cabinet, post-consultation, in June that the action plan will have more entries, reflecting feedback received from consultees.

I also expect both documents to be regularly updated and always considered as work in progress.

Equality can never be static and I urge all members of the Thanet community to take part in the public consultation'.

 

Cllr. Michelle Fenner, Cabinet member.

The public consultation will take place between from 2nd to 30th April 2013.

Published by Thanet Labour Group Press Office, 44 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2RW