The Equality Scheme is an important document in that it is a statement of the Council's commitment to fulfilling the statutory obligations in respect of all its functions, powers and duties in compliance with Section 75 and Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This Act places new duties on public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations.
The scheme is also important because it outlines a plan for the more effective mainstreaming of equality issues, thus ensuring that they are central to the whole range of policy decision-making within the council.