Somerset Council has agreed a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy that will guide how it works with communities, partners and staff to tackle inequality and promote inclusion across the county.
It will help support a number of equalities objectives which form part of the Council’s responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires public authorities to publish equality information and set measurable equality objectives at least every four years.
Following a review of evidence and engagement with community representatives, the Council has identified a focused set of priorities that will shape its work over the coming years. These include improving access to information and services for people who are digitally excluded, tackling discrimination in schools, strengthening support for disabled employees, and demonstrating clear leadership on equality within the community.
The proposed Equality objectives are to:
- Work across council services and with external partners to deliver a minimum of four initiatives to improve access to information and services for people who are digitally excluded by December 2029
- Reduce the number of school based peer-on-peer discrimination cases by 15% by April 2030
- Improve support and understanding of disability to enhance the experience of disabled employees
- Strengthen how the Council demonstrates and delivers leadership on equality in the community
Once formally agreed, the objectives will be supported by a detailed work plan developed across the organisation. An Equality Development Plan will also be created to address any areas for improvement in council policies and practices.
More broadly, the Equality Strategy for 2026–2030 will set out a clear commitment and direction for equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation and the communities it serves. While not a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010, having an Equality Strategy is recognised as good practice.
The Council has also updated its Equality Impact Assessment process to reflect a strengthened commitment to recognising and removing barriers faced by care experienced people.
Leader of Somerset Council, Cllr Bill Revans, said:
Equality is not an add-on to what we do – it goes to the heart of how we serve our communities and employ people. These objectives give us a clear, practical focus on the areas where we can make the greatest difference, whether that’s tackling discrimination, improving access to services, or leading by example as an organisation. Our aim is simple: a fairer Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Equalities, said:
Setting clear equality objectives helps turn our values into action. By listening to communities and focusing on outcomes, we can make real progress on the issues that matter most – from digital inclusion and disability support to challenging prejudice and discrimination. This work is about building understanding and improving experiences and outcomes.
The full Equality Strategy 2026–2030 and supporting information are available on the Somerset Council website and be found by using this link.
