Litter Strategy (Draft) - Equality Screening
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 | Litter Strategy (Draft) |
| Brief Summary The draft Litter Strategy provides a framework and guidance for dealing with the issues associated with littering and how best this problem can be minimised. |
| What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes) Litter is an ongoing environmental challenge. The primary aim is to engage with and educate stakeholders so as to minimise as far as possible the occurrences of littering through behaviour change. |
| Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Strategy owned by Head of Service. Head of Service assisted by Operations Area Managers, Technical Manager, Environmental Resource Officer team and street cleansing operatives in implementing the strategy. |
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Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Initiatives:
Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:
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| 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:
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| Section 75 Category | Details of Evidence/Information
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| Religious Beliefs |
The 2011 Census outlined:
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. Although residents and visitors may have a variety of religious beliefs or viewpoints, there is no evidence to indicate that this draft strategy will have a negative impact on any particular grouping. Indeed, a reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals across all Section 75 groupings. The consultation process will highlight any impact currently undetermined by research to date. |
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| Political Opinion |
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2019) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:
The draft strategy does not relate to any political opinion and welcomes engagement with all individuals. As the draft strategy is based on other factors it should not impact upon any political affiliation and therefore have a neutral impact on this Section 75 group. Indeed, a reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals across all Section 75 groupings. |
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| Racial Group |
On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:
Strategy will use plain English. As a result of this information, the strategy 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. Officer support by telephone or face-to-face available for individuals who may find reading difficult for a variety of reasons. The overall strategy proposes a variety of delivery methods to reach the different objectives. This should support individuals to learn and participate using a range of options, and in fact, some individuals may be targeted using more than one method. For example, parents whose first language is not English may receive information from their children in their first language alongside information displayed in cafes. In addition, the overall reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals living and visiting the borough across all Section 75 groupings. |
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| Age |
Age: (Mid Year 2019)* (NISRA statistics)
18-34 year olds are generally found to be the worst when it comes to littering and specific targeting to ensure the messages reaches these groups as planned. In addition, children of school age will be targeted to create a consistent and sustainable behaviour change. This will build on current networks and on-going educational partnerships with schools. Individuals of working age may receive information through other sources and older people or mothers may receive information via community group presentation and information provision. The draft strategy and associated actions are accessible to all age groups who are encouraged to be part of the solution and should not impact adversely on any group. However, the consultation process will highlight any impact currently undetermined by research to date. |
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| Marital Status |
Marital Status:
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| 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.
In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. The draft strategy and associated actions are open to all regardless of sexual orientation. To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category. The reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals across all Section 75 groupings. |
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| Men and Women Generally |
Gender: (Mid Year 2019 Population Estimates)*
The draft strategy and associated actions are open to all regardless of gender. To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category. The draft strategy does not adversely impact men or women generally. The reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals across all Section 75 groupings and those with multiple identities. |
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| Dependants |
The Census information in 2011 showed:
The draft strategy and associated actions do not adversely impact anyone with dependants. It is anticipated that the reduction in litter may improve the lives of individuals with both young and old dependents as the general area will be a safer place to play, socialise in and enjoy. |
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| Disability |
People with a Disability/People Without:
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1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood. Council’s Disability Action Plan promotes equality for disabled people. This strategy is open to all ranges of ability. The implementation of the strategy may create environment improvements for individuals within this Section 75 category. It is anticipated that a reduction in litter and dog fouling may improve the lives of individuals who use mobility aids. |
| 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 positive. Strategy will provide benefits to all sectors of society regardless of gender identification. |
| Men | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Transgender men/women | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Other please specify | ☐ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Race (As used in the 2011 census) |
Asian | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Impact is positve. Strategy will provide benefits to all sectors of society regardless of race. |
| Black | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Chinese | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Mixed race White |
☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Other please specify | ☐ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Disability | Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Impact is positive. Strategy will provide benefits to all sectors of society regardless of disability.
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| Sexual orientation | Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Impact is positive. Strategy will provide benefits to all sectors of society regardless of sexual orientation. |
| Age | Older People | ☒ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Younger people and children | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
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| Political Opinion | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Neutral impact on this section.
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| Religious Belief | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Neutral impact on this section.
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| Marital Status | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Neutral impact on this section.
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| Dependants | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ |
Neutral impact on this section. |
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| Screening Questions 2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories? |
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| Section 75 Category | If Yes, provide details | If No, provide details | ||
| Gender | Women | Promotional materials will show all genders. | ||
| Men | ||||
| Transgender men/women | ||||
| Other please specify | ||||
| Race As used in the 2011 census. |
Asian | Promotional materials will be inclusive. | ||
| Black | ||||
| Chinese | ||||
| Mixed race White | ||||
| Other please specify | ||||
| Disability | Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. | Promotional materials will be inclusive. Information will be provided in accessible formats and adjustments offered as standard. | ||
| Sexual orientation | Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others | No. The remit of the strategy does not offer any opportunity to promote equality for this category. | ||
| Age | Older People, Younger people and children |
Promotional materials will be inclusive. Information will be provided in accessible formats and adjustments offered as standard. | ||
| Political Opinion | No. The remit of the strategy does not offer any opportunity to promote equality for this category. | |||
| Religious Belief | No. The remit of the strategy does not offer any opportunity to promote equality for this category. | |||
| Marital Status | No. The remit of the strategy does not offer any opportunity to promote equality for this category. | |||
| Dependants | Promotional materials will be inclusive. Information will be provided in accessible formats and adjustments offered as standard. | |||
| 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 policy impact | None |
| Political Opinion | No policy impact | None |
| Racial Group | No policy 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 | No. The nature of the strategy means it is unlikely to provide opportunities to promote good relations within or between these groups. | |
| Political Opinion |
No. The nature of the strategy means it is unlikely to provide opportunities to promote good relations within or between these groups. |
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| Racial Group | No. The nature of the strategy means it is unlikely to provide opportunities to promote good relations within or between these groups. |
| Additional Considerations | |
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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.) The consultation process will highlight any impact currently undetermined by research to date. |
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| 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. | |
| -- | |
| 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 |
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| If yes, please give further information and examples: -- |
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| 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 |
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| Please give further information and examples: -- |
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Screening Decision
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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 strategy in general will provide a positive impact and the consultation process will support the identification of additional mitigation unidentified at present. |
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| 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 |
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If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy: -- |
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| 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. |
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| 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: The strategy and equality impacts will be reviewed annually up to its expiry in 2025. |
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| Approval And Authorisation | |
| Screened By Position/Job Title Date | Date |
| Operations Technical Manager | 20/09/2021 |
| Approved By Position/Job Title Date | |
| Head of Operations | 22/09/2021 |
*Sources:
Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT), Queen’s University Belfast and the Ulster University NI Life and Times Survey - 2019 : ORIENT2 (ark.ac.uk)
https://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/nlgccg.htm
Northern Ireland Statistics website: www.nisra.gov.uk
2019 Mid Year Population Estimates for Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.
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