An opportunity to have your say on Cyngor Gwynedd's Equality Objectives

Cyngor Gwynedd is keen for local people to make the most of the opportunity to share their opinions on its Equality Objectives, which will help to ensure that their policies and procedures continue to be as fair as possible for the future.

 

The questionnaire is available until the last day of July and can be completed online or paper copies are available which can be returned by post.

 

According to the Equality Act 2010, the Council must have a Strategic Equality Plan in place, which guides services, policies and the way the Council operates on a day-to-day basis. The Equality Objectives are the foundation for the plan, and the Council will look at them again every four years.

 

Councillor Menna Trenholme, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member responsible for Equality issues, said: “It is now time for us to think about our Equality Objectives for 2024-28. We must see if the objectives we have for the current period of 2020-24 need to be changed or added to.

 

“We are asking people to read through the five objectives and consider if you think we should keep them as they are, keep some of them, or use new ones for the Equality Scheme 2024-28.”

 

Councillor Menna Trenholme added: “Equality issues are relevant to everyone – we all are of an age, and we all have beliefs, sexuality and all sorts of other characteristics affecting how we live our lives.

 

“By taking this opportunity to have your say, you will help ensure that the Council is able to consider these issues when planning services and resources for the future.

 

“The responses which we receive from the questionnaire – as well as data from various sources, Welsh Government guidelines and other Council plans – will help shape Cyngor Gwynedd's Equality Scheme.”

 

The Draft Equality Objectives will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet. If the members agree to the draft, there will be a further opportunity for the public to give their opinion during the autumn of this year. It is hoped that the new Equality Objectives will be approved by the Council’s Cabinet in the spring of 2024.

 

Local people can voice their opinions in various ways:

• Via the Cyngor Gwynedd website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/EqualityObjectivesQuestionnaire    
• By post: To receive a paper copy of the questionnaire, or in another language or format, call 01286 679708 or email equality@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
• At the library or Council offices: Paper copies are available from Gwynedd Libraries and the Siop Gwynedd offices (Pwllheli, Caernarfon and Dolgellau).

 

Arrangements have been made by the Council to contact local equality groups. If you are a member of such a group and would like an Officer from the Council to visit to explain more, contact equality@gwynedd.llyw.cymru / 01286 679708

 

The closing date for the questionnaire is 30 July 2023.