A motion setting out five key equality principles that Councillors would like to be considered has been backed by a majority of members at a meeting of Staffordshire County Council.
County Council Leader Martin Murray put forward the motion at a meeting of today’s (Thursday’s) Full Council. The motion was seconded by Deputy Leader of the Council Hayley Coles.
Martin said:
We believe everyone should be treated equally, fairly and on merit under the law as written and required by Parliament, not by the standards of interpretations that go far beyond what the law requires.”
The motion stated:
“This Council believes that equality is properly understood as equal legal status and equal civic standing before the law, and seeks to stand on the following principles:
- formal equality before the law
- individual dignity and merit
- proportionality, legal compliance and common sense
- rejection of compelled conformity
- transparency and public trust
The motion was backed by members in attendance.
It follows the publication of a political position paper, Equality Before the Council, that articulates the Reform UK Group’s ambition to return the Council to an equality approach rooted in Britain’s cultural, legal, and constitutional inheritance.
The motion is not a formal resolution of the Council to adopt the five principles. It is a statement setting out the principles that Members believe constitute the proper basis for an equality approach that is fair, transparent, and recognises the inherent dignity of all individuals whom the Council exists to serve.
Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader, said:
This motion is about fairness, equality and respect. It sets out clear principles that promote transparency, consistency and public trust.”
A working group has now been established by County Council officers to review the paper and begin working towards developing its vision into formal Council policy. That review will progress through formal governance processes before being presented to cabinet for consideration in due course.
