The Act requires the Board to state in its Scheme, the Board’s arrangements for consulting on matters to which an equality of opportunity promotional duty, or a good relations promotional duty, is likely to be relevant (including details of the persons to be consulted). The following is taken from Section 3 (Consultation) of the 2011 Scheme.
3.1 The Board recognises the importance of consultation in all aspects of the implementation of our statutory equality duties. The Board will consult on the Scheme, action measures, equality impact assessments and other matters relevant to the Section 75 statutory duties.
3.2 The Board is committed to carrying out consultation in accordance with the principles as contained in the Equality Commission’s Guidance ‘Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 - A Guide for Public Authorities (April 2010)’ and the inter-Board/Staff Commission’s ‘Equality Consultation Guidelines’.
3.2.1 All consultations will seek the views of those directly affected by the policy, the Equality Commission, representative groups of Section 75 categories, other public authorities, voluntary and community groups, our staff and their trade unions and professional bodies, and such other groups who have a legitimate interest in the matter, whether or not they have a direct economic or personal interest.
Initially all consultees (see Appendix 2) will, as a matter of course, be notified (by email or post) of the policy being consulted upon to ensure they are aware of all consultations. Thereafter, to ensure the most effective use of the Board’s and consultees’ resources,a targeted approach to consultation will be taken for those consultees that may have a particular interest in the matter/policy being consulted upon and to whom the matter/policy is of particular relevance. This may include, for example, regional or local consultations, sectoral or thematic consultation etc. This will not preclude or exclude other parties with a legitimate interest participating in such consultations.
3.2.2 Consultation with all stakeholders will begin as early as possible. The Board will engage with affected individuals and representative groups to identify how best to consult or engage with them. The Board will ask its consultees what their preferred consultation methods are and will give consideration to these.
For further information please consult Section 3 of the 2011 Equality Scheme available on our website: www.neelb.org.uk
