Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (CRSSRP) Equality Screening
S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form
General Information:
Project
Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
New
Operational Area:
Prosperity & Place
Title:
Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (CRSSRP)
Brief Summary:
The Small Settlements Regeneration Programme is made up of combined funding from the Department for Communities [DfC], the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs [DAERA] and the Department for Infrastructure [DfI]
The Project contains 4 streams of funding:
Project A - Continuation of the Village Renewal Schemes
Targeting Village Renewal projects that are currently on the council’s capital list.
These actions will be carried out in 10 Settlements of Armoy, Burnfoot, Dernaflaw, Dervock, Cushendall, Gortnaghey, Drumsurn, Rasharkin, Magilligan and Mosside. Capital interventions will range from walking paths to MUGAs and community centre improvements.
Substantial research has already been conducted in relation to the Village Renewal Plans developed under the Rural Development Programme and will address the programme principles
Project B – Small Settlement Restoration and Reactivation Fund
Grant based scheme to address current or imminent dereliction, restore the vernacular appearance of villages, and improve village life by improving facilities for community use.
Applications will be invited from property owners of derelict or vacant properties within Settlements with over 1,000 inhabitants. Funding of up to £50,000 will be available to each successful applicant for works necessary to bring the building back into economic use that will stimulate job creation and increased economic benefit to the Settlement.
Project C1 - Enhancement of the Council Core Path Network in Bushmills, Cushendall and Dungiven.
Enhancement of the Community/core path networks within the settlements of Dungiven, Cushendall and Bushmills in the Borough will contribute to active travel, promote physical and mental wellbeing. Linking areas of interest to the centre of local settlements will in turn add to the overall economic activity through increased dwell time and potential for increased economic services
Project C2 - All Ability Cycle Pilot Project for Garvagh
Working with colleagues within Council’s Sport and Wellbeing department, Countryside Team and the Age Friendly programme Council has identified the potential to develop Garvagh as a venue for Cycling Without Age. A new path link around Clyde Park will cater for the use of Trishaws as a means of transport for elderly and people with disabilities to allow them to enjoy outdoor spaces that are currently inaccessible to them.
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
Key programme objectives will create vital and viable settlements that meet the needs of local citizens and the surrounding areas.
The Programme aims to deliver a range of benefits including:
-
Physical regeneration of small settlements to improve place making and aid recovery from COVID-19
-
Improvements that encourage people to live, work, visit and invest in the area by 2022/23
-
Improvements that enhance walking, cycling and other facilities within the scheme area by 2022/23
-
Projects that will encourage persons of all abilities to engage in and improve opportunities to socialise.
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Department for Communities [DfC], the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs [DAERA] and the Department for Infrastructure [DfI] have worked jointly to provide a budget for Causeway Coast and Glens Council to implement all elements of this project.
The financial contribution from each Government Department is as follows:
DfC - £845,000
DfI - £600,000
DAERA - £805,000
Council will also contribute £250,000 as funding for capital works to bolster these investments.
Completed projects will be monitored to gauge the impact they have had on local rural communities- by measuring increased footfall, economic benefit and satisfaction levels of communities.
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Strategies:
- Equality Impact Assessment on the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/2014-2020-rural-development-programme-final-eqia-report)
- Council’s Community Plan
- Prosperity and Place Strategy and Business Plan
- LAG Strategy
- Northern Area Plan 2016
- Local Development Plan
- 2011 Census
- Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council - Council Strategy 2015-2019
- Section 75 of the NI Act 1998
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.
For the purpose of obtaining data for this screening exercise we are of the view that the Northern Ireland Census 2011 statistics relating to the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Government District have most relevance.
We have also looked at other data including feedback from our consultations, which included:
- 25 Public Meetings (1 per village/settlement)
- Surveys (Between 2 and 3 surveys per village/settlement)
- Village Plans created or updated – 25 in total
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.
- As the projects are specifically rural and targeted at rural dwellers 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%
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 (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) :
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
On Census Day 27th March 2011, in Causeway Coast and Glens Local Government District, the resident population was as follows:
N. Ireland (%) Rest of UK (%) ROI (%) Other Europe (%) Rest of World (%)
NI 88.84 4.56 2.09 2.51 1.99
Causeway Coast &
Glens Local Government 91.02 4.99 1.42 1.45 1.06
District
These projects cover all areas and people and there is no impact on the provision of services
Racial Group
On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:
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%
Plain English will be utilised in all of the publications relating to these projects and translation services will be made available
Age
Age Age: (Mid Year 2020) (NISRA statistics)
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 23,900 (16.49%) 280,600 (14.80%)
85 and over 3,200 (2.21%) 39,400 (2.08%)
TOTAL Population 144,900 1,895,500
The projects will target the provision of services for playgroups, young persons and the older generation
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
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%
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 (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%)
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:
People with a long term condition/illness by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):
Some of the projects will specifically target these groups in particular the playground improvements and the All-ability Cycle Scheme
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.
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 benefit)
Men Positive impact (it could benefit)
Transgender men/women Positive impact (it could benefit)
Other please specify N/A
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different genders.
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 Positive impact (it could benefit)
Black Positive impact (it could benefit)
Chinese Positive impact (it could benefit)
Mixed race Positive impact (it could benefit)
Other please specify Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different racial/ethnic groupings
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact upon people with a disability. Accessible equipment and paths will be funded by this Scheme
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different sexual orientation.
Age
Older People Positive impact (it could benefit)
Younger people and children Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different ages. All ability cycling will be funded by this Scheme.
Political Opinion
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different political opinion.
Religious Belief
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different religious belief.
Martial Status
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people of different marital status.
Dependants
Positive impact (it could benefit)
Reason: It is not felt that the project will have an adverse impact on people with dependents.
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 proposed projects do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements. The plan is to deliver these improved services to all, irrespective of gender
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 proposed projects are neutral and do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements.
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Yes. Within Project A there will be opportunity to provide accessible playpark equipment as well as adjustments to the entrance gate to the playparks.
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
No, the proposed projects are neutral and do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements.
Age
Older People, Younger people and children
Yes. Within Project A there will be opportunity to provide accessible playpark equipment as well as adjustments to the entrance gate to the playparks. Also within Project C2 there will be an opportunity to provide accessible equipment for active travel
Political Opinion
No, the proposed projects are neutral do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements
Religious Belief
No, the proposed projects are neutral and do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements
Marital Status
No, the proposed projects are neutral and do not offer any opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any specific category because they aim to provide equality for all persons who identify within any category within the respective Settlements
Dependants
Within Project A there will be opportunity to provide modern playpark equipment and the introduction of a safe, off-road cycle path for children to make use of.
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: None
Section 75 Category: Political Opinion
Level of impact: None
Section 75 Category: Racial Group
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: None.
Political Opinion. None.
Racial Group. None.
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, as the projects aim to be inclusive and a broad range of consultations were carried out to ensure any potential impacts on people with multiple identities are mitigated.
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 found
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. Within Project A, accessible play equipment will be introduced. Project C2 aims to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to experience the ability to be outside and access retail outlets and forest areas
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. Within Project A, accessible play equipment will be introduced. Project C2 aims to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to experience the ability to be outside and access retail outlets and forest areas
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:
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 questions have identified that the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected is either postive or neutral. Continuous review will allow anything unforeseen to be identified.
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:
Mitigation already included within consultations.
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 CRSSRP is due to cease on 31.3.23. Monitoring takes place on a regular quarterly basis and reports produced for the funders. Some projects will become an integral part of councils asset management process for maintenance.
Approval And Authorisation
Screened By: Project Co-Ordinator 7/9/22
Approved By: Town & Village Manager 23/11/22