A COUNCIL has been honoured for its commitment to equality.

Neath Port Talbot Council has won an award for its commitment to equality in Chwarae Teg’s final awards ceremony. The award was the Fair Play Employer Award for the council’s work in driving forward the equality agenda.

The gender equality charity said of Neath Port Talbot Council: “The authority is committed to making life better for its residents and aims to create a place where everyone has an equal chance to get on in life.

“One of its published core values is ‘we will celebrate diversity in all of its forms and work tirelessly for greater equality in all of our communities.’ The organisation is certainly driving change and delivering on its commitments.”

Cllr Simon Knoyle, the council’s cabinet member for finance, performance and social justice, said: “As a council our aim is to work towards creating a fairer society, improving public services and addressing deep-rooted inequalities in order to improve people’s lives.

“So we are happy our commitment towards this aim has been recognised and that those at the awards evening heard from Chwarae Teg that the council is not only driving change but also delivering on its commitments.”

Sheenagh Rees, Neath Port Talbot Council’s head of people and organisational development told HR staff: “The award recognises the steps the council is taking to improve gender equality and acknowledges a range of actions supported across the team.

“The Ment2be Mentoring Scheme and the Menopause Action Plan were highlighted in the submission for the award, but it also reflected our flexible working practices, and the leadership we show as a team to the council in creating a better and fairer working environment for all.

“Some amazing women and organisations were alongside us as winners, so it really did feel like quite an honour. Well done to everyone, you should all feel very proud.”

The award was given as part of the charity’s final Womanspire Awards in Cardiff earlier this month. The charity will be closing due to financial challenges.