Car Parking Permit Scheme

Policy/
Procedure
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Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Strategies:

• Causeway Coast & Glens Parking Strategy 2017 – 2027
• Regional Development Strategy 2035
• Sub-Regional Transport Plan 2015
• Parking Strategies & Management (The Institution of Highways & Transportation)

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

• Assessing the impact of car parking charges in town centre footfall (2015 Welsh Government)
• In town parking: What Works (ATCM Association of Town & City Management)
• Re-think! Parking on the High Street (ATCM – BPA – PDRI – Springboard)
• Traffic & Travel Information 2015 (incorporating annual traffic census & variations of traffic flow)
• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011
• Regional transportation strategy for Northern Ireland
• Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS)
• Causeway Coast & Glens Tourism Traffic & Parking Infrastructure Study draft (AECOM September 2017)
• NINIS, Census 2001, KS302NI

• Baseline review of residents’ complaints following a letter drop in the affected areas.
• Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2018.  
• Qualitative information will also be gathered via informal consultation with resident’s borough-wide, using survey monkey and hard copy questionnaires.  This will ensure rural needs are taken into consideration as well as those in urban areas and those who live near Townhead Street and East Strand car parks.
• A pilot scheme will support the identification of presently unknown equality impacts.

• Mid-year 2018 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144, 246, accounting for 7.7 % of the N.I. total.  Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 
• It is evident from research to date that ‘car ownership has seen astonishing growth’ (Re-think parking on the High Street), in effect this has had a knock-on effect for residents in town centre areas.  The overspill of resident parking has moved to free carparks and therefore any changes to this status quo proves emotive.
• In addition the retail trade in these town areas is also impacted by parking availability, cost and shoppers length of stay.  Turnover in this area is particularly key to encourage optimum levels of footfall.
• The impacts on tourism are also particularly relevant as our borough comprises many tourist attractions and areas of natural beauty.  In these areas availability of parking is key to encourage visitors to come and experience all that our area has to offer.  While this may specifically impact on certain areas more than others it also must be given due consideration. 
• Economically for Council there is also the need to cover maintenance costs of current car parks and support good governance and the long-term management of Council assets.
• All of the above need to be weighed up to include the various needs of users such as accessibility, safety, visibility and clarity of car parking procedures.
• It is also clear that the majority of our borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals must be considered during screening.

The 2011 Census outlined that the 2 main religious beliefs are prominent in the Council area:

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion which will be followed regardless of an individual’s or households religion.

However the dual pilot and consultation process will highlight any presently unknown impacts. 

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion which will be followed regardless of an individual’s or households political opinion(s).  Indeed a household may have a variety of political opinions therein.

Although the Council area has minority racial groupings as below; there is no evidence to indicate that the proposed process and criterion will have a negative impact on any or all racial groupings.

On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:

Additional cultural factors related to ethnicity were also considered below:

It was noted that residents who do not speak English as their first language may not be able to read and understand long detail which has been considered when drafting the protocol.  All signage and documentation will use plain English and pictorial formats in line with industry best practice to support the wide range of residents and visitors.

The inclusion of the application form and guidance documents on the Councils Website will facilitate translation through the on-line translation tool into a suitable language. 

However the dual pilot and consultation process will highlight any presently unknown impacts. 

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process. However the criterion used may impact on those over 17 years of age, as some of them may incur parking charges if there are a variety of household members in this age bracket.  In addition there are secondary level schools and colleges in the local vicinity which will also be impacted by the charges, this may impact on those 17 and over as a result.

Older people are more likely to require care and support at home.  A degree of discretion may need to be included to ensure this groups needs are met.  This will be dealt with under the exceptional circumstances section of the guidance.

The dual pilot and consultation process will highlight any presently unknown impacts.  It is anticipated that targeted consultation using facebook and on-line survey using Survey Monkey will identify a range of options to mitigate the impact(s) to younger people including those highlighted above.  For the older age group the option of a telephone or written survey will be provided.  All documentation will be provided in large print or any other accessible format requested.

Age: (Mid Year 2018)   (NISRA statistics)

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion which will be followed regardless of marital status.  

Marital Status: 
Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

However the dual pilot and consultation process will highlight any presently unknown impacts which may present as a result of multiple identities.

There are no specific figures available on how many people may be Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Trans-gender or Trans-sexual (LGBT) specific to the Council area. 

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) provides the following information on the sexual orientation of people in Northern Ireland (this information is not available at local government level):

In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. 

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion which will be followed regardless of an individual’s sexual orientation or that of household members.  

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion which will be followed regardless of sex.  However it may have an impact if these individuals have children and the family unit has more than one car, or where they care for an elderly family member in the home or visit a residence, medical or care facility adjacent to one of the affected car parks. 

Gender:  (Mid Year 2018 Population Estimates)* 

There is no specific evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion.  However it may have an impact if those individuals with dependants also have more than one car, or where they care for an elderly family member in the home or visit a residence, medical or care facility adjacent to one of the affected car parks. 

However the dual pilot and consultation process will give individuals in this grouping an opportunity to highlight any presently unknown impacts. 

People With or Without Dependents:

There is no specific evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a negative impact on this Section 75 group as the policy/procedures will detail a set process and criterion.  In addition the car parking strategy took account of individuals with impairments and has already implemented mitigating factors.  However it may have an impact if those individuals with impairments live or visit a residence, medical or care facility adjacent to one of the affected car parks. 

People with a Disability/People Without:
People with a long term condition/illness by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

 ____                                                              

Source: NINIS, Census 2011, KS302NI
Notes: 

1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood. 
2. ‘A mobility or dexterity difficulty’ means a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting or carrying. 
3. ‘An emotional, psychological or mental health condition’ includes conditions such as depression or schizophrenia. 
4. ‘Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing’ includes conditions such as asthma. 
5. ‘A chronic illness’ includes illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy. 
6. ‘Long-term’ refers to a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
 

This will have a neutral impact across all genders.

However any factors raised via the dual pilot and consultation process will be considered. 

This will have a neutral impact across all racial groupings. 

This may have a minor impact relating to certain impairments.

 
The dual pilot and consultation process will allow issues to be highlighted and raise additional options for mitigation to be considered.

This will have a neutral impact with regards to an individual’s sexual orientation. 

However any factors raised via the dual pilot and consultation process will be considered. 

This may have a minor impact with regards to age as those over 17 may have a need to park a vehicle. 

The dual pilot and consultation process will allow issues to be highlighted and raise additional options for mitigation to be considered.

This will have a neutral impact regards to political opinion. 

However any factors raised via the dual pilot and consultation process will be considered. 
 

This will have a neutral impact with regards to religious belief. 

However any factors raised via the dual pilot and consultation process will be considered. 

This will have a neutral impact with regards to an individual’s marital status.

 
However any factors raised via the dual pilot and consultation process will be considered. 
 

This may have a minor  impact with regards to an individual’s caring responsibilities. 

The dual pilot and consultation process will allow issues to be highlighted and raise additional options for mitigation to be considered.

No the policy/procedure will not distinguish between peoples sexual orientation.

Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category.  Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities?  (For example:  disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.)

There are opportunities for individuals with multiple identities to participate in the informal consultation process and pilot and to voice their concerns and highlight possible mitigation streams or sources.

Screening Decision
Likely Impact
          ☐        Major                    ☒     Minor                     ☐     None

If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this:
At present it is anticipated there could be minor impacts on individuals related to age, men and women generally, disability and dependants and as a result those with related multiple identities.  However the informal consultation process and pilot will enable these to be identified and further addressed or mitigated for.

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced: 
The informal consultation process and pilot will enable these to be identified and further addressed or mitigated for.

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:

The informal consultation process and pilot will enable these to be identified and further addressed or mitigated for.

If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

The informal consultation process and pilot will enable changes / amendments / alternatives to be identified and further addressed or mitigated for.