Northumberland flying the flag for PRIDE month

During June the Northumberland County Council is showing support of Pride month by flying the rainbow flag at County Hall in Morpeth and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service headquarters at West Hartford.

Cllr Veronica Jones, cabinet member for adult wellbeing and health said: “Although we were unable to host Northumberland Pride as planned this year, the council would like to wish the LGBT+ population a happy Pride Month.

“We will work with the Northumberland Pride committee to plan for the Pride event as soon as circumstances allow.  The council is a keen supporter of Northumberland Pride and undertakes a range of activities to support and work with the LGBT community throughout the year.

“We take great pride in being an inclusive organisation and are committed to tackling inequality of any kind and are delighted to be one of the highest ranking Local Authorities in the Stonewall Workplace equality Index.”

Daljit Lally, Chief Executive of Northumberland County Council said: “Although sadly Northumberland Pride could not take place at the end of May, we are proud to be flying the rainbow flag during June in support of Pride Month.

‘We strongly believe that everyone should be treated fairly and as an organisation we respect equality and diversity. We take great pride in being an equal opportunities employer, and work hard to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our organisational values.‘

In January it as announced that for the second year running Northumberland County Council has been listed in the Top 100 Employers in the country for its commitment to equality and diversity by Stonewall, the national LGBT (lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender) charity.

Now at number 34 in the ranking, climbing from 86 last year, the results affirmed the  council’s commitment to equality and diversity within the organisation and as a result is one of the highest ranking local authorities.

Pictured: Left to right: (Back row) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead Patrick Price and Cllr Cath Homer, (Front row) Cllr Barry Flux and Leader of Northumberland County Council Cllr Peter Jackson