Equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed complying with the Equality Act 2010, and in October 2024, we 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

Our annual Equality Report, published in January 2026, highlighted that we have made significant progress in the last year, including:

• Making equality impact assessment an established activity for council decision-making
• Delivering training and awareness courses for disabilities, prevention of sexual harassment, and inclusive leadership
• Continuing to support apprenticeships, T-Level placements and inclusive work experience opportunities, including tailored support for neurodiverse students, delivered with local schools and colleges
• Improving website accessibility
• Expanding membership of the Rushmoor Together partnership and facilitating independent community workshops

During 2026, the council will develop and adopt an Equality Policy to continue to evolve how it puts diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and will publicise its commitment to this. This will describe how the council will:

1. Comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty
2. Continue to develop as an inclusive employer, supporting a workforce that increasingly reflects the local community
3. Deliver accessible, inclusive, and responsive services to all residents in the borough
4. Foster a welcoming and inclusive community where all residents feel their voices are heard and can influence decision-making

This policy intends to make measured improvements to council practices so that the new unitary council inherits a well-performing, diverse, and inclusive organisation.

To reflect these objectives, we will:

• Design engagement and consultation activities so that all groups with protected characteristics have an opportunity to take part
• Carry out equalities impact assessments, both on any proposed service changes arising from the Financial Recovery Plan, and to identify barriers to our facilities and services so everyone has access to them
• Promote inclusive cultural activities that engage underrepresented and marginalised communities
• Target programmes and activities to areas and people that need them most
  Ensure mental health support is accessible to everyone, particularly focusing on deprived areas and minority groups
• Improve the quality of local social and private rented housing, as this will have a positive impact on groups with protected characteristics

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.

We want 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.

As part of this, we have developed a refreshed and more ambitious Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for 2025–28.

This delivery plan will help the environment and the move towards sustainability by:

• Making sustainability a key theme of the Delivery Plan, with climate change impact assessments applied to all major decisions, including service changes arising from the Financial Recovery Plan
• Delivering projects to reduce the council’s carbon footprint, including improvements to our vehicles and building energy efficiency
• Expanding community engagement through the Youth Climate Ambassadors programme and hosting an Eco Festival to promote sustainable living
• Working with social and private landlords to improve energy performance of housing, reducing carbon emissions and lowering tenant energy costs
• Running borough-wide campaigns to prevent fly-tipping, increase recycling rates, and promote responsible waste management
• Ensuring the new Local Plan incorporates green infrastructure, biodiversity net gain, and sustainable transport options

By embedding these actions, our aim is to create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment that supports businesses and communities, encourages local investment, and improves quality of life for residents.