Equality Policy and Objectives

As a local authority, Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) has a specific duty to publish Equality Information annually and 'Equality Objectives' at least every four years. The Council's Single Equality Scheme sets out the Council's approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The policy outlines MDDC's vision and how we will achieve this. Using data from the most recent Census, the policy also provides a background to the community we provide our services to. 

The Single Equality Scheme 2026 was approved by Cabinet in April 2026.

At Mid Devon District Council, we want to work with individuals and groups to continue to improve our services and to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. In order to achieve this, we will:

• Seek to understand the needs of our community
• Know our customers and their specific needs
• Involve the community in changes that might affect them
• Develop services that can respond to the requirements of different residents
• Develop an inclusive working environment
• Ensure equality in procurement and commissioning
• Promote equality through working with others
• Recognise the needs of specific equality groups

Equality Objectives

The Council also has a duty to publish one or more specific and measurable objectives to achieve the General Duty outlined in the Equality Act 2010. From 2026/27, the Council's Equality Objectives are:

1. Meeting the needs of an aging population.

• Implement the Meeting Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (narrative update)
• Provide housing adaptations in MDH housing stock (Number per year)
• Provide adaptations for adults in private sector housing through grant awards (Number per year)
• Increase our understanding of MDH tenants through analysis of data gathered via the completed “Getting to Know You” project, supported by the MDH Vulnerability Policy. Explore annual collection of this data (narrative update)

2. Overcoming the problems faced by vulnerable individuals caused by rural isolation.

• Reduce the impact of rural isolation on vulnerable individuals by improving access to services, information, and support through partnership working and flexible service delivery (MDH) (narrative update).
• Implement the Care Leavers Council Tax Discount Policy (household uptake)
• Use neighbourhood roadshows to engage tenants in communities with lower satisfaction levels, improving access to information, support, and opportunities to raise concerns. (Number of events/ attendees)

    3. Overcoming the effects of multiple disadvantage in families and individuals with complex needs.

• As a partner of The Community Safety Partnership, practitioners within the Council support to transition from being Trauma Aware to Trauma Informed (CSP Annual report)
• Tackling damp and mould in council housing stock (% of homes reporting damp or mould that quarter)
• Ensure that families and individuals with complex needs are not disadvantaged in accessing housing services by identifying barriers and providing appropriate, tailored support (MDH) (narrative update)
• Deliver on Serious Violence Duty through the Devon Preventing Serious Violence Strategy 2024-29 (narrative update)
• Provide grants for adaptations for children in the private housing sector (Number of grants approved)
• Monitor cases dealt with where hoarding, cluttering or cleanliness in the home is an issue (Number of cases)
• Monitor homeless approaches (Number per year)
• Number of homeless approaches where support needs have been identified (Number per year)
• Undertake private rented housing inspections and monitor those that related to damp and mould (Number per year)

4. To continue to concentrate on mental health issues within MDDC and the wider community.

• Include regular articles contained within internal communications (Number of articles in “The Link”)
• Ensure that our leisure facilities are accessible and affordable for all carers and young carers, providing them with opportunities to enhance their mental and physical wellbeing. Committing to removing barriers to access and actively encouraging their participation and social connections (narrative and number of people taking up the offer)
• Work collaboratively with partners to support individuals experiencing mental health issues, helping to promote tenancy sustainment, wellbeing, and early intervention (narrative update)
• As a partner of The Community Safety Partnership, practitioners within the Council support to transition from being Trauma Aware to Trauma Informed (CSP Annual report)
• Host an annual cost of living event supported by external agencies such as CHAT to address financial stress (narrative)

5. Secure decent digital connectivity for all of Mid Devon

• Monitor and lobby for better digital connectivity (narrative update)

6. Continuous improvement at Mid Devon District Council

• Staff and Councillors undertake training to improve their understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Equality and Diversity course, % completion/ uptake)
• Develop a better understanding of our workforce, and to understand the comparison between our workforce and the Mid Devon residents as a whole (% of workforce with equality monitoring data)