Local Authority Districts, Counties and Councils - resource thread

[FindTheTruth]

A thread to keep together stories of Local government in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, working against the Equality Act 2010, or harming children, women and the disabled, through their policies, procurement contracts, councillors, decisions or actions. If you feel that a council service hasn’t been properly delivered, you can make an official complaint: www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/make-a-complaint

Portsmouth Council
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4348882-filia-sessions-2021?msgid=111685289#111685289

Brighton & Hove City Council
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4173969-Women-s-domestic-abuse-charity-loses-funding?msgid=104954744#104954744

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4199989-Brighton-and-Hove-Schools-Trans-Toolkit?msgid=105850265#105850265

Nottingham City Council
twitter.com/Docstockk/status/1464175443356139521

Cambridge City Council
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4237456-Ann-Sinnott-of-Authentic-Equity-Alliance-vs-EHRC-Judicial-Review-of-incorrect-Equality-Act-guidance?msgid=107110799#107110799

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4102241-Lib-Dem-Councillor-Matt-Downey-forced-to-apologise-to-FPFW

Preston Council
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4112682-Womens-Rights-in-Preston-not-hopeful-atm?msgid=102829976#102829976

Write to your councils - letter templates
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/letter-templates/

Oxford City Council
Green Party councillors motion to install gender neutral toilets and the trans flag in all council buildings. and 'training' all staff
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19741545.oxford-city-council-debate-motion-trans-inclusion/

Thanks for this

My local Council have given schools a model equalities policy with such a bizzaro list of characteristics it can only have come from our friends the 'controversial charity'.

How to challenge when it's not their policy but one they are handing out? Is it illegal?

Great idea - thanks FindTheTruth.

RainbowCrossing, they will have education duties as a local authority, and if nothing else, as a council they must comply with the public sector equality duty in the Equality Act 2010.

This requires them to consider whether their publications eliminate discrimination, harassment etc of people with protected characteristics under the EA 2010, and also to foster good relations between people with and without the various protected characteristics.

If they've issued batshit guidance that doesn't accurately reflect the EA protected characteristics, it's highly unlikely that they're complying with their PSED - if they have forgotten sex, for example, they can't very well say they have had due regard to eliminating sex discrimination, as they've done the exact opposite by misinforming schools and the public about what the EA 2010 says.

Yes they have left out sex (for gender obv), changed 'maternity' to 'being pregnant or having recently been pregnant' or something (not breastfeeding then?), and they have gender reassignment AND gender identity and sexual orientation AND sexual identity (so not worrying at all then).

It's obviously batshit but I'm not sure where to challenge it? Could start with Head of Education but wondering whether to start with a councillor instead - the portfolio holder for children and schools maybe.

If your council incorrectly lists gender instead of sex

1. Complain to your council
2. Template letter on this page at WPUK womansplaceuk.org/2018/06/11/sex-is-a-protected-characteristic/
3. (Optional) Send the response to WPUK
4. (Optional) post here (under a name change if outing) about the response

If your council sends lobby group material to schools

1. Complain to your council www.gov.uk/complain-about-your-council

1. Template letters on these pages

safeschoolsallianceuk.net/resources-2/letter-templates/

www.transgendertrend.com/schools-resources/

www.transgendertrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Dear-Headteacher.pdf

www.transgendertrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Stonewall-letter-to-schools.pdf

1. Include a link to DfE guidance on using external agencies www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum#using-external-agencies

1. (Optional) attach Safe Schools Alliance (SSA) 'EQUALITY & DIVERSITY POLICY ‘RED FLAGS’ safeschoolsallianceuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/redflagsa4.pdf

1. (Optional) attach Transgender Trend (TGT) 'Boys and Girls and the Equality Act – Guidance for Schools' which includes a model policy

www.transgendertrend.com/product/boys-and-girls-and-the-equality-act-guidance-for-schools-england-wales/

1. (Optional) Send the response to SSA and/or TGT

1. (Optional) post your complaint and response here (under a name change if outing)

Thanks.

I think the PSED is an important point that they might not have definitely haven't thought through