Our New Approach
The new and powerful feedback from our communities and colleagues on their priorities for EDI, coupled with detailed data on inequality in the borough, provides a strong evidence base on which to act; a reset moment to build on our foundations and transform how we achieve equality.
The mission is to galvanise a culture change so everyone is a force for good and plays an active role in breaking the cycle of inequality. The Council and its partners will collectively adopt this new approach by targeting policies, resources and investment to places and people who already experience significant inequality, or are at risk of experiencing it.
OUR STRATEGY FOCUSES ON THREE PILLARS:
Each Pillar has an associated action plan or plans which summarises what people told us they wanted, what we will do, and how we will measure progress.
The strategy complements the aspirations set out in Ambitious for Hounslow, the Council’s corporate plan published in 2022, and the transformation programmes of its associated Delivery Plan. It replaces the Council’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Policy, agreed by Cabinet in 2017.
It will see a connected and coordinated equality- maximising approach by all council service areas and local partners. It will require targeted interventions and a redirection of investment to ensure we deliver for the most disadvantaged parts of the borough.
Achieving all of the ambitions associated with co-creating a fairer, more equal borough will be a long journey. There is no quick fix for entrenched, systemic inequality which has existed for decades. However, this step change in approach will yield many short and medium term benefits which people across the borough will feel, as we drive unrelentingly towards the ultimate goal of equality for all.
YOUR VOICE AT ITS HEART
Equality can only be achieved by listening to those who are experiencing inequality. We needed to better understand the issues our communities face and hear the insights and ideas they have to address these issues.
Last year we launched a three-month, borough-wide conversation. We carried out a range of engagement including an online survey, postcard questionnaires, in- person and digital meetings, face-to-face conversations at events, and workshops with community groups and third sector organisations.
The representatives included faith groups, LGBTQ+ community, ethnic groups, disability groups, women’s groups, older people and younger people, business, staff and elected Members.
Everyone had opportunities to contribute to ensure the needs and aspirations of the communities they represent shape this strategy.
A total of 1,580 local people joined the conversation and their views are at its heart.
