It is important that all options are thoroughly developed and appraised to meet procedural fairness requirements. The process is important because it helps us make informed, fair and legal decisions and to be open to new ideas. The aim is to ensure that options have been well thought through and that any decision reached is the best possible outcome for people. Early in the process, we think and plan for how we can reduce any negative impacts, especially for people with protected characteristics. This helps us to comply with the Equality Act 2010.