Fleet Safety Policy - Equality Screening
S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form
General Information:
Policy/ Procedure
Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
New
Operational Area:
Fleet Management
Title:
Fleet Safety Policy
Brief Summary:
The Fleet Safety Policy documents Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s commitment to ensuring that all vehicles and fleet related activity will be managed and controlled in accordance with current and future legislation and in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of personnel and members of the general public.
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
To ensure that all corporate vehicles are maintained, operated and driven in a legal and compliant fashion.
To ensure that staff at all levels are aware of their responsibilities with regard to the safe and efficient operating of vehicles under their remit.
To protect council’s ‘Operating Licence’ and therefore their ability to operate all vehicle based services in-house.
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
The responsibility for the implementation of this policy lies with the Director of Environmental Services. However, Fleet Manager will coordinate the roll-out and bedding in of the policy. Simultaneously Fleet Management will provide advice and guidance on how the policy impinges on existing operations and any necessary amendments required to operating procedures or maintenance schedules.
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Strategies:
Causeway Coast & Glens Corporate Strategy (2021-2025)
Alcohol and Drugs Policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Assisted Study Policy
Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:
The Goods Vehicle Licensing of Operators Act NI (2010)
Motor Vehicle Construction and Use Regulations NI (1999)
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Order NI (2000)
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 2020.
Section 75 Category Details of Evidence/Information
Mid-year 2020 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144,900, accounting for 7.6% of the N.I. total. Statistical information with regards to the Districts 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 be considered during screening.
Religious Beliefs
The 2011 Census outlined:
Census 2011 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic 40.21% 45.14%
Protestant & Other Christian (including Christian related) 54.79% 48.36%
Other Religions 0.65% 0.92%
None/Not stated 4.35% 5.58%
Staff breakdown by Religious Belief / Community Background (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
Religious Belief / Community Background Gender Number of Staff Percentage
Roman Catholic Male 123 19.52%
Female 122 19.37%
Protestant Male 218 34.60%
Female 131 20.79%
Non-Determined Male 17 2.70%
Female 19 3.02%
Total 630 100%
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 Fleet Safety Policy will have no impact either positive or negative on the religious beliefs of the community, workforce nor those employed specifically within driving roles.
Political Opinion
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2020) 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 Fleet Safety Policy will have no impact either positive or negative on political opinion. The provision of services to council’s citizens will remain unaffected and all staff will continue to be impacted by this policy in the same way irrespective of their political opinion.
%
DUP/Democratic Unionist Party 23
Sinn Féin 11
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) 11
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 14
Alliance Party 28
Green Party 4
Other Party 2
None of these 3
Don't know 3
Racial Group
On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:
Census 2011 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
White 98.97% 98.21%
Irish Traveller 0.03% 0.07%
Mixed 0.25% 0.33%
Indian 0.16% 0.34%
Pakistani 0.03% 0.06%
Bangladeshi 0.01% 0.03%
Other Asian 0.15% 0.28%
Black Caribbean 0.01% 0.02%
Black African 0.01% 0.13%
Other Black 0.01% 0.05%
Chinese 0.24% 0.35%
Other ethnic group 0.09% 0.13%
Staff breakdown by Racial Group / Ethnic Origin (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
Racial Group / Ethnic Origin Gender Number of Staff Percentage
Mixed Ethnic Group Male - -
Female 1 0.16%
Other Male 1 0.16%
Female 1 0.16%
White / White European Male 325 51.59%
Female 237 37.62%
Unknown Male 32 5.08%
Female 33 5.23%
Total 630 100%
The Fleet Safety Policy will have a positive impact on the integration of individuals whose first language is not ‘English’.
With the increased number of emigrant workers in our area ensuring that the contents of this Policy document is communicated in an effective manner is essential.
Once ratified it will become available via the council Intranet and will be translated as necessary to support staff requirements.
Where possible ‘Pictograms’ will be available during roll-out to ensure that all drivers understand and are aware of their responsibilities under this policy.
Age
The Fleet Safety Policy will have a positive impact on age within the workforce and in particular among those employed in driving roles.
A Driver’s Declaration Form is required to be completed annually by all drivers irrespective of their age to keep council informed of any changes to their general health and wellbeing that could impact their ability to drive corporate vehicles.
For those drivers over the age of 45 who require a medical as part of the LGV Licence renewal process, council will reimburse this cost. As part of Councils Sickness Absence policy reasonable adjustments can be facilitated.
Council vehicles are specified with a number of safety features designed to optimise the welfare of drivers, crew-members and the general public. This includes on-board CCTV, Infrared reverse cameras and high visibility work-lamps. The Euro VI engines also meet the current emission regulations to impact positively on air-quality within the vehicle locum and assist with reducing council’s carbon footprint.
All drivers are trained to safely operate and manoeuvre their designated vehicle while remaining alert and checking for other road users and pedestrians.
Age: (Mid Year 2020) (NISRA statistics)
CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Under 15 28,600 (19.74%) 395,800 (20.88%)
16 - 64 89,200 (61.56%) 1,179,700 (62.24%)
65 - 84 23900 (16.49%) 280,600 (14.80%)
85 and over 3200 (2.21%) 39,400 (2.08%)
TOTAL Population 144,900 1,895,500
Mid-Year population estimates 2020 - NISRA
By Council Area
Council 0-15 16-64 65-84 85 and over TOTAL
Antrim & Newtownabbey 29800 89400 21500 3000 143700
Ards & North Down 30000 97000 31000 4100 162100
Armagh City, Banbridge
& Craigavon 48900 134200 30200 4000 217300
Belfast 68200 223100 43800 7400 342500
Causeway Coast & Glens 28600 89200 23900 3200 144900
Derry City & Strabane 32700 94900 21100 2400 151100
Fermanagh & Omagh 25400 71400 18000 2500 117300
Lisburn & Castlereagh 29600 91000 22600 3300 146500
Mid & East Antrim 26800 85700 23600 3300 139400
Mid Ulster 34800 92200 19300 2700 149000
Newry, Mourne & Down 41000 111600 25600 3500 181700
1895500
Staff breakdown by Age (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
Age Group Number of staff Percentage
22-29 17 2.70%
30-34 33 5.24%
35-39 64 10.16%
40-44 81 12.86%
45-49 111 17.62%
50-54 112 17.78%
55-59 99 15.71%
60-64 84 13.33%
65-120 29 4.60%
Total 630 100%
Marital Status
The Fleet Safety Policy will have no impact either positive or negative on marital status with both single and married staff having access to development opportunities in an identical manner.
Where promotional opportunities arise applicants will be treated in an unbiased and fair manner irrespective of their 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%
Staff breakdown by Marital Status (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
Marital Status Number of staff Percentage
Divorced 13 2.06%
Married \ Civil Partnership 346 54.92%
Other 20 3.17%
Separated 12 1.91%
Single 170 26.98%
Widowed 2 0.32%
Unknown 67 10.64%
Total 630 100%
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 Fleet Safety Policy will have a neutral impact on sexual orientation.
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2020) 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) 3
I am heterosexual or ‘straight’ 94
I am bi-sexual 2
Other 1
In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT.
Men and Women Generally
Gender: (Mid Year 2020 Population Estimates)2
CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Male 71,839 (49.6%) 934,155 (49.3%)
Female 73,104 (50.4%) 961,355 (50.7%)
Staff breakdown by Gender (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
Gender Number of staff Percentage
Male 358 56.83%
Female 272 43.17%
Total 630 100%
Whilst the dominant percentage of corporate drivers are currently male, all genders are welcome and will be treated the same under the policy.
Dependants
The Fleet Safety Policy will have a neutral impact on individuals irrespective of whether they have or have no 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%)
Disability
People with a Disability/People Without:
The Fleet Safety Policy will have a positive impact on individuals registered under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Council vehicles are specified with a number of safety features designed to optimise the welfare of drivers, crew-members and the general public. This includes on-board CCTV, audible reverse alarms, cameras and high visibility work-lamps. All drivers are trained to safely operate and manoeuvre their designated vehicle while remaining alert and checking for other road users and pedestrians.
As part of Councils Sickness Absence policy reasonable adjustments can be facilitated.
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.
Staff breakdown by Disability (Figures as at 21 October 2021)
With or Without a Disability Number of staff Percentage
With 14 2.22%
Without 616 97.78%
Total 630 100%
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 (it could benefit) Neutral Negative impact (it could disadvantage)
Gender
Women Positive impact (it could disadvantage)
Men Neutral
Transgender men/women Neutral
Other please specify --
Reason: Whilst females are currently under represented within vehicle based services such as refuse, council encourages all genders to apply for all roles. This programme aims to encourage inclusion into roles which may have been traditionally gender specific to address this imbalance.
Race
Asian Neutral
Black Neutral
Chinese Neutral
Mixed race Neutral
Other please specify --
Reason: All racial groups will be supported with translation to ensure understanding of the policy and safe operating of vehicles.
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. Neutral
Reason: The policy clarifies safety roles for staff to support all road users and pedestrians. The policy can be provided in large print or an easy read version. Council encourages and welcomes applicants in driving roles who may have a disability and supports staff who through the course of their employment may meet the definition under the DDA.
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others Neutral
Reason: Impact is neutral as the policy operates the same regardless of sexual orientation.
Age
Older People Neutral
Younger people and children Neutral
Reason: The policy sets safety roles for staff to support all road users and pedestrians. The policy can be provided in large print or an easy read version.
Political Opinion
Neutral
Reason: Impact is neutral as the policy operates the same regardless of Political Opinion.
Religious Belief
Neutral
Reason: Impact is neutral as the policy operates the same regardless of Religious Belief
Martial Status
Neutral
Reason: Impact is neutral as the policy operates the same regardless of Marital Status
Dependants
Neutral
Reason: Impact is neutral as the policy operates the same regardless of whether an individual has Dependents or not
Screening Questions
2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories?
Gender
(Women, Men, Transgender men/women , Other please specify)
Yes as stated earlier Council has in place a programme to encourage more females into roles traditionally perceived as gender specific eg male.
Race
The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2011 census. Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories.
(Asian, Black, Chinese, Mixed race, White, Other please specify)
Yes the translation of training literature will support employees and agency workers whose first language is not English.
Disability
Yes the knowledge that reasonable adjustments can be provided can support increased equality.
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding sexual orientation.
Age
Older People, Younger people and children
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding younger people as there is a legislative age requirement to allow individuals to drive. However older drivers are supported to remain in their roles through Council incurring the cost of fees and making reasonable adjustments if required.
Political Opinion
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding political opinion.
Religious Belief
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding religious belief.
Marital Status
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding marital status.
Dependants
No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding those with and without dependants.
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: Religious Belief
Details of policy impact: -
Level of impact: None
Section 75 Category: Political Opinion
Details of policy impact: -
Level of impact: None
Section 75 Category: Racial Group
Details of policy impact: -
Level of impact: None
Screening Questions
4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Religious Belief: No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding this S75 category.
Political Opinion: No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding this S75 category.
Racial Group: No; the policy has no remit to promote equality regarding this S75 category.
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.)
Individuals with multiple identities have been addressed in the previous sections for example a disabled female – the policy encourages both to apply for roles in this area and supports reasonable adjustments; males from Racial minorities are supported under this policy as it is translated as necessary to ensure a clear understanding.
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.
There will be a neutral impact on people with multiple identities as mitigation has been provided. However the policy will also keep under review the need for further mitigation.
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?
No
Mitigation has already been included
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?
No
Not applicable
Screening Decision
Likely Impact: 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: The policy includes mitigation as is and will be kept under review.
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?
No
If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:
The policy will be kept under review and if further mitigation is identified it will follow the Council process to address this.
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:
The policy will be reviewed every 2 years as part of the normal council review process, or sooner If legislative change, technological advancement or changes in working practices are identified.
Approval And Authorisation
Screened By: Fleet Manager 23 December 2021
Approved By: Head of Operations 05 May 2022