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Plymouth makes progress in diversity drive

Friday, November 21, 2008, 12:38

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PLYMOUTH has made "significant and rapid progress" in its work to promote equality and diversity, according to assessors who visited the city council this week.

The council has achieved a level three (out of five) rating in its first assessment by the Improvement and Development Agency. The assessors were measuring how well the council is working to promote diversity, prevent discrimination and ensure that its services are easy to access for everyone.

Last year, 76 councils out of 388 across the country achieved level 3. Only 17 rated level four or five.

The two-day Equality Standard for Local Government inspection looked at services across the council from tenant participation and building repairs to transport and children's services.

The assessors focused on leadership, community engagement, service delivery, customer care and employment and training. The team interviewed staff and managers, councillors, community groups and stakeholders including the police, local health services and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

The assessors said Plymouth's strengths included:

Strong, genuine cross-party political and managerial leadership which has been evident in times of difficulty.

An effective social inclusion unit whose work would be the envy of other local authorities.

Innovative approaches to reaching out to local communities – for example, informal "cup of tea meetings" held with residents and a day trip to the zoo to explain housing stock transfer to families with young children.

Full details will be published by the agency in its final inspection report later this year.

Council leader Vivien Pengelly said: "We are delighted to have met our target of achieving level three of the Equality Standard. Staff across the council have been working closely with partners and the local community to promote equality and diversity and prevent discrimination against age, disability, faith, religion or belief, gender, race or sexual orientation."