Have your say on council services

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Sunday 23rd Dec 2007.

PEOPLE are being consulted on the work being undertaken to ensure everyone can equally access services such as libraries, social care and education in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire County Council is committed to providing services that are accessible to everyone in the county.

The council is also seeking to ensure that the people who work for the council reflect the county's diverse communities.

To help achieve these goals the council has adopted a range policies aimed at ensuring it is providing equal opportunities both in employment and in the way it provides services.

These include, providing a wider range of books to appeal to the diverse ethnic groups in the county, creation of a social care helpdesk to make it easier to access adult care services, making the council's website easier to use, ensuring issues of diversity and equality are considered when services are planned and raising awareness about equality and diversity.

Now people are being asked for their views on how well they feel the council is meeting this commitment and on its proposals for updating the work already being undertaken in these areas.

The action plans cover proposals for further work such as increasing accessibility to buses, supporting schemes that help provide employment to disadvantaged people, and supporting music and drama projects for disabled young people and those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Audrey Ekstrom, equality and diversity officer for the county council, said: "Wiltshire is a diverse place and it is important the county council recognises the needs of everyone who lives in the county.

"This consultation is about giving people an opportunity to tell us if we are on the right track to ensure we are meeting our diversity and equality commitments."

People who would like to take part in the consultation visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/equality-action-plan-consultation.htm or telephone 01225 713000 for a copy of the consultation document.

The consultation closes on February 29 and the results of the consultation will be presented to members of the county council's cabinet.

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