Who is mainstreaming equality?
Mainstreaming, championed in the UK by the Equal Opportunities Commission, is in its early stages of development. Practice is evolving in health boards, local authorities, the Scottish Executive and Parliament and the voluntary sector. Much of the mainstreaming work in these early stages has focussed in particular on gender equality. Local Government Local authorities are increasingly working to Best Value a framework for planning and developing their services. They have the opportunity to incorporate mainstreaming into Best Value, setting equality performance indicators and targets into performance review and service planning. COSLA are developing their guidance on equalities and the new duties on Best Value and the power of well being contained within the Local Government in Scotland Bill. The guidance under development includes recommendations that councils ensure equalities issues are reflected in their strategic objectives and highlighted within service plans and that they ensure
