Race Equality Duty
The Race Equality Duty came into force in December 2001, following the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
It places a statutory duty on public authorities to actively promote race equality and tackle illegal and unfair discrimination. Local authorities must comply with the general and specific duties set out in the Code of Practice on the Duty to Promote Race Equality.
The General Duty requires the Council, when carrying out our various functions, to have due regard to the need to:
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eliminate unlawful racial discrimination;
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promote equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups; and
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promote good relations between persons of different racial groups.
To ensure effective compliance with the above, local authorities are required to meet other Specific Duties, which include:
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Training staff on issues relevant to the Duty.
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The publication of a Race Equality Scheme (RES) supported by a timetabled, three year RES action plan.
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Assessing which functions are relevant to the General Duty and to review that assessment at least every three years.
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Ensuring access to information and services.
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Monitoring staff by ethnicity, including applications for jobs, promotion and training.
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Setting out arrangements for assessing and consulting on the likely impact on race equality of proposed new policies or procedures and changes to existing policies or procedures.
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Monitoring of policies / procedures for adverse impact on the promotion of race equality.
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Publishing the results of impact assessments, consultations, and monitoring.
Each service or department is required to consider the likely differential impact any new policy or procedure (including plans or projects), or the likely impact changes to policies or procedures, may have on people of different ethnic or national backgrounds.
Other key legislation
The Equality Act 2010
Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act (2006)
Racial and Religious Hatred Act (2006)
For more information
Direct Gov
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
