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A draft plan which aims to meet the different needs people have when accessing council services is now out for consultation.

Powys County Council’s Draft Strategic Equality Plan 2012-16 is available for people to comment until Monday 25 June by visiting www.powys.gov.uk/haveyoursay

The plan also aims to make it easier for people to apply for employment with the council as well as tackle the disadvantage that some people experience in their wider lives.

The document has been devised following last year’s 'How Fair is Powys?' engagement events and takes account of the results of online and other feedback. The document also references the council’s own service-user data and national equalities research.

Jeremy Patterson, Chief Executive of Powys County Council, said: "Along with Powys Teaching Health Board, we have asked people if they think council services are delivered fairly and, if not, why not. In this plan, we are trying to address some of these issues and we want to ask the public, and our partners, if we are on the right lines.

"If we can all work together to get this plan right now, it will help us meet our objectives in the Powys One Plan and the Powys Change Plan."

For those people who do not have access to the internet, paper copies of the draft can be accessed by calling the council’s Equalities team on 0845 602 7030 or 01597 827460.

There are 10 objectives set out within the draft plan which aim to:

- Improve outcomes for children and young people who underachieve within the Education system

- Improve employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged groups

- Assist disadvantaged groups to access transport

- Increase disadvantaged people’s confidence and access to political processes

- Improve referral rates for domestic abuse and disability-related harassment

- Improve the accessibility of our services and employment opportunities

- Conduct research on some of the lowest paid types of council work, to consider whether there are historical employment differences that generates gender disadvantage

- In partnership with the local health board, improve engagement with the local community, to better inform us about issues of inequality and possible solutions

- Increase the number of people from low socio-economic groups who participate in healthy physical activity

- Train our staff and Elected Members, so that they are equipped within their role, to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

Written comments on the draft plan can be posted to the Equalities Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG.