Gay or straight? Christian or Hindu? 'Intrusive' council survey wants to know
Whether you are straight or gay, Christian or Hindu, the council wants to know.
A survey asking residents for their private details has been slammed as 'intrusive and unnecessary'.
Some 8,000 Gloucester people have been asked for their views on the new multi-million pound Elmbridge transport plan.
The major scheme will provide 1,000 park-and-ride spaces and a transport interchange at one of the county's busiest roundabouts at a cost of £16.5million.
Sunday and Monday evenings £12.00 per head for an all inclusive meal with Indian and Thai cuisine (normal price £14.50).
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But a survey asking for residents' views asks for details on their religion, gender and sexual orientation.
Longlevens resident Dave Bennett, from Brooklands Park, said: "It is intrusive and completely unnecessary.
"Why does it matter what your faith or sexual orientation or even your gender is just to use a park and ride?
"I'm at a loss as to why this information is needed."
A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Collecting equality information allows the council to ensure it is delivering its services fairly, equally and appropriately to all groups.
"A key part of the Equality Act 2010 places a requirement on the council to ensure that it is aware of the needs of the people who use our services.
"When we run consultation events, equality monitoring helps us to determine if we are reaching people from all walks of life in order to gain a representative view of people's opinion.
"If anyone is uncomfortable answering these questions, they can choose to not respond."
See Friday's Citizen to read what residents who attended a consultation event at Longlevens Library last night thought of the transport plan.
18 Comments
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by L804XDG
Thursday, January 31 2013, 6:46PM
“TimMessanger LOL prayer mats. At least someone has the balls to write it!”
by Apothegm_
Thursday, January 31 2013, 5:24PM
“Since the Council is 'obliged' to ask this sort of information, it would have saved them So Much Trouble if they had stated on the Questionnaire exactly WHY they were required to ask these questions.”
by IsitJimKerr
Thursday, January 31 2013, 3:22PM
“geraint2010...............perhaps they don't want to appear to be 'disableist'.”
by geraint2010
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:55PM
“Where is the rationale there Nogman? If people are not asked whether or not they have a disability how on EARTH can the council work out what facilities will be needed for them?”
by gloscityguy
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:36PM
“Jedi, always answer Jedi.”
by Nogman
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:36PM
“They probably want to provide enough facilities for disabled people without appearing to single them out by asking people if they have a disability. The other information gathered might not be immediately useful but it does no harm to have it, if it is given voluntarily. Which it is.”
by gruesome
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:09PM
“Surely it's not compulsary to fill in the whole form, is it? Answer seems to be either 8000 don't give their opinion or respond in part. How much does all this tosh add to the consultation process?”
by Ms_Superstar
Thursday, January 31 2013, 1:37PM
“@honslk etc. If you do feel that you are in a minority, you can rest assured that your council is still considering your needs. Perhaps you should try 'liberal' Cheltenham where the Equality Act 2010 appears unheard of. But then, who wants to buy goods or use services where you need an act of parliament to be able to do so?”
by TimMessanger
Thursday, January 31 2013, 1:26PM
“They need to know if they have to include single sex waiting rooms, gay toilets, prayer mats and even god help us a Kashrut compliant café.
And all the signs in 20 languages just to waste some more money!”
by johngurvan
Thursday, January 31 2013, 12:15PM
“let them know what they want,once they have told you the religion,sexuality,etc of all the Gloucester City Council staff.Fairs fair.!”