Equality Screening Citizens’ Newsletter
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?
Existing
Operational Area:
Corporate Communications and PR
Title:
Citizens’ Newsletter
Brief Summary:
The Council’s Citizens’ Newsletter is a 12 page A4 magazine in printed and electronic form which is issued annually to provide people in the Borough with news and information about the role and services of the Council and its partners, alongside information about local community events. Alongside the colour magazine which is printed and delivered to every household in the Borough the electronic version is published simultaneously online and linked via the Council’s website.
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
The intended outcome is for residents to feel better informed about the role of the Council towards achieving its corporate objectives and vision to
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Democratic & Central Services Manager, Corporate Communications and PR Manager, Senior Leadership Team.
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Strategies:
- Corporate Strategy
- Corporate Communications Strategy
- Annual Departmental Business Plans
- Equality Scheme/Action Plan
Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:
- Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011
- NINIS, Census 2011
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 to be considered during screening.
Religious Beliefs
Religious Beliefs The 2021 Census outlined:
Religion / religion brought up in:
Census 2021 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic 40.12% 45.70%
Protestant & Other Christian (including Christian related) 51.17% 43.48%
Other Religions 0.78% 1.50%
None/Not stated 7.94% 9.32%
Staff breakdown by Religious Belief / Community Background (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Religious Belief / Community Background Gender Number of Staff
Roman Catholic Male 119 (19.67%)
Female 126 (20.82%)
Protestant Male 199 (32.89%)
Female 128 (21.16%)
Non-Determined Male 17 (2.81%)
Female 16 (2.65%)
Total 605
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 ie 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.
Political Opinion
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2021) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at local government level) :
%
DUP/Democratic Unionist Party 12
Sinn Féin 13
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) 13
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 13
Alliance Party 19
Green Party 5
Other Party 4
None of these 11
Other answer 1
Don't know 9
Racial Group
On Census Day 21 March 2021 the resident population was:
Census 2021 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
White 98.55% 96.55%
Irish Traveller 0.03% 0.14%
Roma 0.01% 0.08%
Indian 0.15% 0.52%
Chinese 0.22% 0.50%
Filipino 0.10% 0.23%
Pakistani 0.03% 0.08%
Arab 0.03% 0.10%
Other Asian 0.10% 0.28%
Black African 0.12% 0.42%
Black Other 0.04% 0.16%
Mixed 0.51% 0.76%
Other ethnicities 0.11% 0.19%
Staff breakdown by Racial Group / Ethnic Origin (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Racial Group / Ethnic Origin Number of Staff
Mixed Ethnic Group 1 (0.16%)
Other 2 (0.33%)
White / White European 546 (90.25%)
Unknown 56 (9.26%)
Total 605
Age
(NISRA Census 2021 – Table MS-A02)
Age CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
0-4 years 7,973 (5.62%) 113,820 (5.98%)
5-9 years 8,878 (6.26%) 124,475 (6.54%)
10-14 years 9,113 (6.43%) 126,918 (6.67%)
15-19 years 8,326 (5.87%) 113,203 (5.95%)
20-24 years 7,873 (5.55%) 111,386 (5.85%)
25-29 years 7,713 (5.44%) 116,409 (6.12%)
30-34 years 8,460 (5.97%) 126,050 (6.62%)
35-39 years 8,528 (6.02%) 127,313 (6.69%)
40-44 years 8,513 (6.01%) 122,163 (6.42%)
45-49 years 9,322 (6.58%) 121,670 (6.39%)
50-54 years 10,412 (7.35%) 130,967 (6.88%)
55-59 years 10,150 (7.16%) 129,276 (6.79%)
60-64 years 9,171 (6.47%) 113,049 (5.94%)
65-69 years 7,769 (5.48%) 93,464 (4.91%)
70-74 years 6,990 (4.93%) 83,467 (4.39%)
75-79 years 5,659 (3.99%) 66,377 (3.49%)
80-84 years 3,718 (2.62%) 43,776 (2.30%)
85-89 years 2,126 (1.50%) 25,879 (1.36%)
90+ years 1,051 (0.74%) 13,512 (0.71%)
TOTAL Population 141,745 1,903,174
Staff breakdown by Age (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Age Group Number of staff
22-29 21 (3.47%)
30-34 28 (4.63%)
35-39 64 (10.58%)
40-44 71 (11.74%)
45-49 99 (16.36%)
50-54 115 (19.01%)
55-59 92 (15.21%)
60-64 88 (14.54%)
65-120 27 (4.46%)
Total 605
Restrictions around the tender process ensure that no bias is prevalent in any tender competition offered by council.
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 2022)
Marital Status Number of staff
Unknown 60 (9.92%)
Married \ Civil Partnership 336 (55.54%)
Divorced 12 (1.98%)
Other 19 (3.14%)
Separated 12 (1.98%)
Single 164 (27.11%)
Widowed 2 (0.33%)
Total 605
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 (2021) 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) 2
I am heterosexual or ‘straight’ 93
I am bi-sexual 4
Other 0
In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT.
Men and Women Generally Gender:
Census 2021 – Table MS-A07)
CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Male 69,848 (49.28%) 936,132 (49.19%)
Female 71,898 (50.72%) 967,043 (50.81%)
Staff breakdown by Gender (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Gender Number of staff
Male 335 (55.38%)
Female 270 (44.62%)
Total 605
Restrictions around the tender process ensure that no bias is prevalent in any tender competition offered by council.
Dependants
The Census information in 2011 & 2021 showed:
People With or Without Dependents (Census 2021 – Table MS-B12):
Census 2011 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Number of households (2021 stats) 57,576 768,810
Households with dependent children
(2011 stats) 15,597 (28.37%) 261,251 (36.19%)
Staff Family Status (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Family Status Number of staff
Blank 298 (49.26%)
Adults(s) 11 (1.82%)
Child/Children 157 (25.95%)
None 138 (22.81%)
Other 1 (0.16%)
Total 605
Restrictions around the tender process ensure that no bias is prevalent in any tender competition offered by council.
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%
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 2022)
With or Without a Disability Number of staff
No 591 (97.69%)
Yes 14 (2.31%)
Total 605
Where a disability has been identified, users should notify the responsible officer and issues can be mitigated, i.e. visual impairment can request braille documents.
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 Neutral impact
Men Neutral impact
Transgender men/women Neutral impact
Other please specify N/A
Reason: The content of the newsletter is non-discriminatory and seeks to provide information on the Council’s services and events for all who live in the Borough. It is delivered to every household.
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 Neutral impact
Black Neutral impact
Chinese Neutral impact
Mixed race Neutral impact
Other please specify Neutral impact
Reason: --
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Neutral impact
Reason: --
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others Neutral impact
Reason: --
Age
Older People Positive impact
Younger people and children Positive impact
Reason: --
Political Opinion
Positive impact
Reason: --
Religious Belief
Positive impact
Reason: --
Martial Status
Positive impact
Reason: --
Dependants
Positive impact
Reason: --
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)
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
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)#
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Age
Older People, Younger people and children
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Political Opinion
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Religious Belief
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Marital Status
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
Dependants
No; The Citizens’ Newsletter is expected to impact positively across the population however, there would not be any impacts specifically for this category.
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
Level of impact: The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
Section 75 Category: Political Opinion
Level of impact: The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
Section 75 Category: Racial Group
Level of impact: The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
Screening Questions
4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Religious Belief The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
Political Opinion The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
Racial Group The Citizens’ Newsletter contains information on Council’s work which may provide opportunities.
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.)
--
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.
The Citizens’ Newsletter may impact positively across the entire population of the Borough and there is no evidence that there would be any impacts specifically for this category.
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
The Citizens’ Newsletter may impact positively across the entire population of the Borough and there is no evidence that there would be any impacts specifically for this category.
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
The Citizens’ Newsletter may impact positively across the entire population of the Borough and there is no evidence that there would be any impacts specifically for this category.
Screening Decision
Likely Impact Minor
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:
N/A
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:
N/A
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 screening has indicated that the Citizens’ Newsletter has the potential to have a positive minor impact on all Section 75 categories and this impact will be beneficial across the entire population. The screening has not identified any adverse impacts and mitigations are not therefore required.
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:
At this point, we are not proposing any mitigating actions but if any feedback is received following publication, we may include mitigating actions for future editions.
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 Citizens’ Newsletter is produced annually.
Approval And Authorisation
Screened By: Democratic & Central Services Manager 08.12.22
Approved By: Director Corporate Services