LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2021-22 (pilot scheme)

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S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

 

General Information 
Service/
Function
Policy/
Procedure

Project 

Strategy
Plan
Guidance
Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Existing   ☐         Revised   ☐        New   ☒ 
Operational Area Operations
Title LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2021-22 (pilot scheme)
Brief Summary 
Development and implementation of a Community Environmental Grant Programme.  Scheme will operate as a pilot in year one.
 
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
The Grant Programme will focus on waste recycling/reduction/reuse, improving cleanliness in local areas and reducing carbon footprint.  The Grant Programme looks to engage local communities and raise environmental standards in places where people live, work, relax and spend time.
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Head of Operations. Administrative help, project guidance and liaise with internal and external stakeholders provided by Operations Environmental Resource Officer team.
 

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

Council Grant Funding Policy
 

Available Evidence
Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms.  Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.
What evidence/information (both qualitative and quantitative have you gathered to inform this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?  Specify details for relevant Section 75 categories.
It is proposed that all Section 75 categories will be considered via:
  • Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2018.  
  • Census data is the most relevant available, providing a breakdown of the number of households, number of residents and population information.
Section 75 Category  Details of Evidence/Information
  • 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 District’s makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 
     
  • It is also clear that the majority of our borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals must to be considered during screening. 
     
  • Information on grant programme advertised in local press plus council website/social media. An email is sent to all community groups, voluntary groups and local community networks.
Religious Beliefs 

The 2011 Census outlined:

Census 2011  CC&G Borough Council  Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic 36.97%  40.76%
Protestant & Other Christian (including Christian related)  48.44%  41.56%
Other Religions  0.59%  0.82%
None/Not stated  5.64%  6.75%

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2011 Census indicates that our resident’s religious beliefs are comparable to those in Northern Ireland in that there are 2 predominant groupings i.e. Roman Catholic and Protestant.  However we also have a number of individuals (5.64%) who do not practice a specific religion or who do not wish to be grouped into a specific religion.  In addition we have a small number of individuals who practice other religions.

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone according to their religious beliefs.
Political Opinion

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) *:

Party %            
DUP/Democratic Unionist Party  15
Sinn Féin  11
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)    8
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)  10
Alliance Party  10
Other Party    5
None of these  24
Other answer    6
Don't know  11

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone with or without a political opinion. 

 

Racial Group

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

  N.I. (%) Rest of U.K. (%)  ROI (%)   Other Europe (%)  Rest of World (%)
N.I.  88.84 4.56  2.09  2.51  1.99
Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District  91.02  4.99  1.42  1.45  1.06

 

As a result of this information, the grant programme may have a minor impact on some racial groups where English is not the first language, however, this is mitigated by the translation function on the council website which allows translation of information into 40+ languages.

Age 

Age: (Mid Year 2018)   (NISRA statistics)

  CC&G Borough Council  Northern Ireland
Under 16  30,140 (21%)  415,865 (22%)
17-44  48,788 (34%)  673,073 (36%)
45-64  39,216 (27%)  484,506 (26%)
65 and over  26,102 (18%)  308,197 (16%)
TOTAL Population 144,246  1,881,641

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone according to their age.

Marital Status

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

Census 2011  Ballymoney BC  Coleraine BC  Limavady BC  Moyle DC
Single  32.68%  34.78%  36.64%  34.96%
Married  52.52%  48.88%  48.94%  49.03%
Civil Partnership  0.07%  0.06%  0.08%  0.08%
Separated  3.13%    3.15% 3.58% 3.66%
Divorced/
Civil
Partnership Dissolved 
5.23%  6.13%  4.99%  5.11%
Widowed/
Surviving
Civil Partner 
6.39%   7.00%  5.78% 7.15%

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone according to their marital status.  

Sexual Orientation

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):

  %
I am ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian’ (homosexual)    1
 I am heterosexual or ‘straight’  94
 I am bi-sexual    1
Other    1
I do not wish to answer    3

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

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone according to their sexual orientation.  
Men and Women Generally 

Gender:  (Mid Year 2018 Population Estimates)* 

  CC&G Borough Council  Northern Ireland
Male 71,497 (49.6%)  926,200 (49.2%)
Female 72,749 (50.4%)  955,441 (50.8%)

The grant programme does not adversely impact men or women generally.  

Dependants 

The Census information in 2011 showed:  

People With or Without Dependents:

Census 2011 CC&G Borough Council  Northern Ireland 
Number of households  54,970  721,860
Households with dependent children  15,597 (28.37%)  261,251 (36.19%)

The grant programme does not adversely impact anyone with dependants.  

Disability

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):

 

Census 2011 Ballymoney BC Coleraine BC Limavady BC Moyle DC
People with a long term condition/illness  30.6%  31.31%  31.05%  31.68%
People Without  69.4%  68.69%  68.95%  68.32%

 ____                                                              

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long Term Condition:
Mobility or dexterity  19%
Long term pain or discomfort  17%
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing  14%
A chronic illness  11%
Deafness or partial hearing loss  9%
An emotional, psychological or mental health condition  9%
Other condition  9%
A learning, intellectual or social behaviour difficulty  3%
Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss  3%
Blindness or partial sight  3%
Communication difficulty  3%


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.
 

As a result of this information, the grant programme may have a minor impact on individuals with a disability. Council’s Disability Action Plan promotes equality for disabled people.
Council website is compatible with screen reader software. All civic offices have Sign Video available. 

Screening Questions
1. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Section 75 Category Positive
impact 
Neutral  Negative
impact 
Reason
Gender  Women    ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Impact is neutral. Grant programme provided equally regardless of gender.
Men    ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Transgender men/women    ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Other please specify
 
  ☐   ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Race
(As used in the 2011 census) 
Asian   ☐  ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☒    

Impact is minor. Plain English used for communication, information available on council website in multiple languages. 

Environmental Resource Officer team available to provide advice and signpost to translation services.
Black                      ☐  ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☒ 
Chinese                ☐  ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☒    
Mixed race
White               
  ☐  ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☒    
Other please specify   ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Disability Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.  ☐  ☐ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☒    

Impact is minor. 

Council’s Disability Action Plan promotes equality for disabled people.
Council website is screen reader software compatible. All civic offices have Sign Video available.

 

Sexual orientation  Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others    ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Impact is neutral. Grant programme provided equally regardless of sexual orientation.
Age  Older People   ☐  ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐  

Impact is neutral. Applications made via bona fide groups and/or organisations.

Younger people and children  ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Political Opinion     ☐  ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☐   
Impact is neutral. Grant programme is provided equally regardless of political opinion.    
Religious Belief     ☐  ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor 
☐  

Impact is neutral. Grant programme is provided equally regardless of religious belief.

Marital Status     ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   
Impact is neutral. Grant programme is provided equally regardless of marital status.
Dependants    ☐   ☒ Major  ☐     
​Minor  ☐   

Impact is neutral. Grant programme is provided equally regardless of dependants.

 
Screening Questions
2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories?
Section 75 Category  If Yes, provide details If No, provide details
Gender  Women    No
Men
Transgender men/women
Other please specify
Race
As used in the 2011 census. 
 Asian Yes

Identify groups or organisations who may benefit from assistance.  These may be groups or organisations who have applied for council grant funding previously and requested assistance.

 
 
Black
Chinese
Mixed race White
Other please specify
Disability Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. Yes

Identify groups or organisations who may benefit from assistance.  These may be groups or organisations who have applied for council grant funding previously and requested assistance.

 
Sexual orientation  Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others    No 
Age  Older People,
Younger people and children 
 

No

 

Political Opinion      No
Religious Belief     No
Marital Status     No 
Dependants     No 
 
Screening Questions
3. To what extent is the policy likely to impact on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Section 75 Category Details of policy impact   Level of impact
major/minor/none
Religious Belief  No Impact  None
Political Opinion  No Impact  None
Racial Group No impact  None
 
Screening Questions
4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Section 75 Category  If Yes, provide details  If No, provide details
Religious Belief 

 

None found
Political Opinion    None found
Racial Group    None found
 
Additional Considerations

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.)

None found

 
Provide details of data on the impact of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities.  Specify the relevant Section 75 categories concerned.
None applicable
 
Disability Considerations
Is there an opportunity to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

         ☐   Yes            ☒   No
 
If yes, please give further information and examples:
 
 
Is there an opportunity to encourage participation by disabled people in public life by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
         ☐    Yes          ☒   No
 
Please give further information and examples:
 
 

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:
--


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: 
--

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

No negative equality impacts were found.

 
Mitigation
When the Council concludes that the likely impact is ‘Minor’ and an equality impact assessment is not to be conducted, the Council may consider mitigation to lessen the severity of any equality impact, or the introduction of an alternative policy to better promote equality of opportunity or good relations.
Can the policy/decision be amended or changed or an alternative policy introduced to better promote equality of opportunity and/or good relations?
                                   ☐    Yes                     ☒       No

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

--

 
Timetabling And Prioritising
If the policy/decision has been ‘screened in’ for equality impact assessment, then please answer the following questions to determine its priority for timetabling the equality impact assessment.
On a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest priority and 3 the highest, assess the policy in terms of its priority for equality impact assessment.
Priority Criterion Rating (1 to 3)
Effect on equality of opportunity and good relations N/A
Social Need N/A
Effect on people’s daily lives N/A
Relevance to the Council’s functions N/A
 
Monitoring
Please outline proposals for future monitoring of the policy/decision:
Grant programme will be monitored and reviewed both during and at the completion of the pilot period.
 
 
Approval And Authorisation
Screened By Position/Job Title Date Date
Operations Technical Manager 31/03/2021
 
Approved By Position/Job Title Date Date
Head of Operations 31/03/2021