The Equality Unit \ Equality

Equality

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires Newry and Mourne District Council to 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; and
• Between persons with dependants and persons without.

We are also required to take account of the desirability of promoting good relations between people of different religious beliefs, political opinions or race.

Newry and Mourne District Council encourage an equality culture within the Council, to ensure the working environment is good, harmonious, productive and free from harassment.

Our Equality Scheme, approved by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, is in place to integrate equality and diversity into all areas of Council service delivery, decision-making and policy development.

The Council has an Equality Officer whose primary role is to:

• Oversee the implementation of the Council’s Equality Scheme which sets out how Newry and Mourne District Council proposes to meet its statutory duties to promote equality of opportunity and good relations;
• Enable / facilitate Council Departments further develop their outreach programmes;
• Develop and organise training and promotional events which will mainstream equality of opportunity and good relations;
• Provide advice on legislation relating to equality of opportunity and good relations;
• Facilitate the Council’s equality screening process of Council policies, procedures and proposed decisions with the aim of mitigating or eliminating adverse impact;
• Undertake investigations into complaints of bullying and harassment under the Council’s Dignity at Work and Harassment Complaints Procedure.

If you would like more information regarding equality matters please contact:

Colin Moffett
Equality Officer
Council Offices
Monaghan Row
Newry
Co Down
BT35 8DJ

Telephone: 028 3031 3081
Mobile: 07739235332
Email:Colin.Moffett@newryandmourne.gov.uk

A number of documents relating to equality matters can be accessed below

Newry and Mourne District Council Equality Scheme
Annual Equality Progress Report to ECNI 2002-2003
Annual Equality Progress Report to ECNI 2003-2004
Annual Equality Progress Report to ECNI 2004-2005
Annual Equality Progress Report to ECNI 2005-2006
Annual Equality Progress Report to ECNI 2006-2007
Five-Year Equality Review Report to ECNI 5-July-2006
Disability Action Plan