Equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability

New priorities – to help us deliver change

Our cabinet has recently agreed this delivery plan for 2025/26. The new delivery plan is due to be considered by our Council in the coming weeks. In the meantime you can see what is planned to be in the delivery plan on these pages.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Council is committed to ensuring that it is compliant with the statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, and in October 2024 published two new equality objectives:

• To promote the use of equality impact assessments as part of the Council’s decision making, policy making, procurement, and service design to ensure inclusivity, accessibility, equal opportunities, and good relations
• To tackle the effects of poverty and deprivation, and to have a positive impact on people’s daily lives through delivery of Supporting Communities Strategy projects

To reflect these objectives the Council will:

• Ensure that any engagement and consultation activities will be designed so that all groups with protected characteristics will have an opportunity to take part in a way that is accessible and inclusive for them
• Carry out equality impact assessments to identify barriers and ensure equal access to facilities, services, and programmes
• Carry out equality impact assessments for any proposed service changes arising from the Financial Recovery Plan
• Promote inclusive cultural activities that engage underrepresented and marginalised communities, ensuring that all residents can take part and benefit
• Target programmes and activities to areas and people that need them most, including our areas of deprivation
• Ensure mental health support is accessible to everyone, particularly focusing on deprived areas and minority groups, and make sure events reach a wide range of people, especially those from under-represented groups.
• Improve the quality of local social and private rented housing

Sustainability

The Council declared a climate emergency in Rushmoor in summer 2019, with the full support of all councillors. In doing so, councillors pledged to make the Council carbon-neutral, and Aldershot and Farnborough greener and more sustainable.

The Council wants to have a positive impact on future generations by working with businesses, communities and organisations to protect and improve Aldershot and Farnborough’s environment. Through direct action and by encouraging and supporting others, we will address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

The Council will deliver a refreshed and more ambitious Climate Change Strategy and action plan.

Delivery of this plan will help the environment and the move towards sustainability by:

• Making climate change impact assessments a routine part of decision making, including any proposed service changes arising from the Financial Recovery Plan
• Running campaigns to reduce fly-tipping by encouraging proper waste disposal and recycling, preventing potential pollution whilst also working to reduce the need for ‘clear ups’
• The Pride in Place Champion promoting responsible waste management and increase community engagement
• Tackling antisocial behaviour, which can lead to a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment. By reducing disruptive behaviour, vandalism, littering etc, it can help to create a more positive environment, which supports businesses and communities, and encourages local investment
• Encouraging better energy performance of housing in the social and private rented sectors, the Council will reduce carbon footprint and lower tenant energy costs
• As part of the Local Plan development, considering options for how the Council can influence more sustainable development in the borough