(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order imposes specific duties on the public authorities listed in the Schedule to the Order (“listed authorities”). The purpose of the specific duties is to ensure better performance by listed authorities of their duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment and to promote equality of opportunity between men and women in carrying out their functions under section 76A(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (c. 65) (as inserted by section 84 of the Equality Act 2006 (c. 3)).
Article 2 requires listed authorities to prepare and publish a Gender Equality Scheme (a “Scheme”) by 30th April 2007. This article also prescribes the various components of such a Scheme.
Article 3 requires listed authorities to implement certain components of each Scheme they have published pursuant to Article 2 or Article 4. They should do this within three years beginning with the date on which they published the relevant Scheme.
Article 4 requires listed authorities to prepare and publish a revised Scheme within three years after the publication of their first Scheme at the latest, and to continue to publish a revised Scheme every three years thereafter.
Article 5 provides that a listed authority’s Scheme can be published as part of one or more other documents.
Article 6 requires listed authorities to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to report annually on the actions taken to meet the overall objectives in its Scheme. These reports can be published as part of another document.
The regulatory impact of this Order has been assessed and a Regulatory Impact Assessment is available at www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.