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In accordance with legislation specified in
the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000,
all Local Authorities "have a public duty to monitor the Equality and
Diversity practices of their suppliers on an ongoing basis".
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Many
organisations have strong relationships with local
authorities. In recent years a number of these organisations
have committed themselves to diversity and equality
policies, however organisations must be able to prove that
they have effective equality and diversity practices.
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Local authority
suppliers are required to provide annual reports and
demonstrate evidence of their current Equal Opportunities
Policies and Practices. This requirement also extends to
suppliers and subcontractors. In addition, these annual
reports must include statistics on monitoring of
representation, among staff and contractors staff, of
different racial groups.
Chapter 6 section 1.4 and 1.5, Race Equality and Public
Procurement – CRE
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Just as all local authorities have a
public duty to strenuously promote equality and diversity practices,
where a business is a supplier to a public body, it shares that body’s
duty as part of the conditions of contract.
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Research has identified
that, although local authorities hold some records of equality and
diversity practices within supplier organisations, ongoing
monitoring and review processes required to fulfil the
public duty are not currently being fully implemented.
Clearly, now that this failing has been identified, this
requirement will be enforced.
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C2e
accreditation and the c2e programme are designed to
recognise achievement and assist suppliers to meet their
legal and contractual duties.
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The benefits to
Organisations are clear:
- Easier tendering to
public bodies. Quoting your c2e unique registration
number enables you to demonstrate that you meet the
statutory duties for equality and diversity.
- Lower cost of
compliance – c2e is a national accreditation.
- One accreditation
process, instead of one for each authority.
- C2e 3rd party
assessment, accreditation and certification.
- Meet local authorities
annual contractual obligations for all suppliers.
- Managing Corporate
Social Responsibility impacts on Shareholder value.
- Public recognition as
an organisation that is ‘Committed 2 Equality’.
- Good practice reduces
the risk of claims related to equality and diversity.
- Widen the choice of
available employees and skills.
- Improved sales and
market image with customers who are Equality aware.
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As the c2e accreditation and c2e
programme move forward “early adopters” stand to gain most.
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Please complete
the registration form |
