Equality

This Framework details the Council’s statement of intent and approach to ensure equality and diversity.

5 Principles of the Framework
Principle 1: Ensuring we work in a non-discriminatory environment, promote equality, and model best practice in equality and good relations
Principle 2: Ensuring all our decisions are based on evidence to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations
Principle 3: Providing access to services, facilities and information
Principle 4: Recruiting and employing people fairly
Principle 5: Responding to and learning from complaints and incidents in a positive and pro-active way

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires all public sector bodies to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. In carrying out its functions, the Council must have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between:

• Persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation
• Between men and women generally
• Between persons with a disability and persons without
• Between persons with dependants and persons without

In addition, the Council must have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

The Council’s Equality Scheme is a statement of the Council’s commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations and also outlines how it will meet its obligations under Section 75. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland approved Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Equality Scheme which has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s guidance on the implementation of section 75. A copy of the Equality Scheme is available to download below.

The Council’s Equality Scheme includes a commitment to develop an action plan of measures to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. The action plan did not form part of the approval process for the equality scheme, but was recommended by the Equality Commission as a demonstration of a public authority’s commitment to implementation of the Scheme. The Audit of Inequalities formed the basis of the Action Plan.

Equality Screening Reports 

Completed Individual Screening Templates

Previous Equality Screening Reports

Previously Completed Individual Screening Templates

Under Section 75, the Council is required to screen all its services and policies to identify any existing or potential impact on equality of opportunity and good relations. Where there is an adverse impact, the Council will conduct a detailed review of the policy and seek ways to eliminate or reduce the impact. This process is called equality impact assessment. Both policy screening and equality impact assessment reports are subject to public consultation.