farnham HUMANISTS

Dr D Savage, 37 Frensham Vale, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 3HS. Tel 01252 794021

david.savage44@btinternet.com www.farnham-humanists.org.uk

Mr. Robert Saunders

Head of Projects at the Council Offices

The Burys

Godalming

Surrey GU7 1HR

23 February 2009

Dear Mr. Saunders,

An article in the Farnham Herald alerted us to your consultation on Waverley Borough Council’s Equality Scheme 2009-2011. We welcome the opportunity to make some positive and constructive comments.

Farnham Humanists cover the geographical area of parts of Hampshire and South West Surrey including the whole of Waverley. Humanists have non-religious beliefs and a moral code based on our common human morality. We support the Human Rights Act and oppose discrimination based on religion or belief. We are affiliated to the British Humanist Association and are part of their local development network aimed at improving liaison with local government. With the support of central government the BHA provide us with advice and information on local government matters. Farnham Humanists are members of the South East England Interfaith Forum and the Equalities Advisory Group of Surrey County Council. We would welcome a closer partnership with Waverley Borough Council, perhaps as an Equalities Critical Partner and request that you contact us to discuss closer partnership arrangements.

Please find attached some comments on your consultation documents together with some requests for further information that would allow us to make a fuller response.

Thank you for seeking this consultation and we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

David Savage Chair Farnham Humanists

farnham HUMANISTS

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this consultation. We agree that the Council should give a high priority to equality and diversity and are pleased that the scheme will be embedded in all their departments’ considerations and actions.

There are many references to ‘faith’ in the document, including ‘faith’ being one of the six areas recognized by law (Item 1.1 p6). This is not correct. The Human Rights Act and the Equalities Act refer to ‘religion or belief’ not ‘faith’. Where you use the word ‘faith’ in the context of policy on equality, diversity or discrimination this needs to be replaced with ‘religion or belief’. We can give you further advice on this if you wish.

The use of the word ‘faith’ in the above context is not only a legal point. Language informs attitudes and actions. ‘Faith’ excludes those with non-religious beliefs and its use can embed inequality rather than remove it. Unfortunately this is the case in your consultation document. For example, item 2.1 p9 mentions setting up a prayer room. Whilst we very much applaud the action of the Council to respond the cultural and religious diversity of its employees we consider that this should be achieved in a non discriminatory way. We do not object to the setting aside of a room but recommend that such a room be available to all for reflection, prayer, quiet and contemplation. As such it would also include Buddhist and those with non-religious beliefs. We can give you some advice on the appropriate furnishing of such a room.

The above two paragraphs indicate that the Council may not always receive the diversity or quality of advice that it needs. We recommend that the Equalities Critical Partner Group include individuals/organizations that support and act in accordance with both the Human Rights Act and the principle that there should not be discrimination based on religion or belief and that will take a particular interest in advising the Council on adopting and implementing related policies. We are concerned that this may not be happening. We request that you send us the terms of reference of the above group and the names of the organizations represented in the group.

Much of the Council’s provision to the Borough’s residents is via contractors and commissioned services. We recommend that the Council give much more attention to this area. We recommend that the Council adopt a policy that requires contractors and commissioned services meet the same policy criteria and standards as the Council itself. Furthermore that contracts make it explicit that there is no discrimination based on religion or belief (as well as disability etc) in governance, employment and provision. We request that you send us a copy of your ‘sourcing’ policy and of contract terms in so far as they refer to equality and diversity.

Our overall impression is that the Council is making a serious and sustained attempt to improve equality and diversity and wish it every success.