Corporate Business Continuity Plan
S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form
General Information:
Plan
Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Revised
Operational Area:
Health & Built Environment
Title:
Corporate Business Continuity Plan
Brief Summary:
This plan provides information on corporate business continuity to at will ensure that essential Council services are delivered during periods of disruption.
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
The purpose of this plan is to identify the Business Continuity procedures that will be invoked in the event of an incident occurring and focuses on the following:
a. Identification of critical functions.
b. Identification of critical staff.
c. Maintenance of critical functions following a disruptive event.
d. BC roles and responsibilities.
e. BC communication process.
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
This is a corporate plan. All staff have roles and responsibilities which are detailed in section 1.5. Key stakeholders include:
• Chief Executive
• Head of Health & Built Environment
• Directors
• Heads of Service
• Emergency Planning Implementation Group (EPIG)
• All staff
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Strategies:
• Corporate Strategy 2021 – 2025
• Council Emergency Plan
• Business Continuity Management Policy
• ICT Disaster Recovery Procedures
• Performance Improvement Plan
Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:
• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2021
• ISO 22301:2012 Business Continuity Management
• Business Continuity Institute ‘Good Practice Guidelines 2018
• Local Government Audit recommendations
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 2021 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2020.
Section 75 Category Details of Evidence/Information:
• The Census statistics in 2021 collated by NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 141,746 accounting for 7.45% 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
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.
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their religious belief.
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their religious belief.
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their racial group.
Age
Age: (NISRA Census 2021 – Table MS-A02)
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of 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%
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of 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 (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.
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their sexual orientation.
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their gender.
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of their age.
Disability
Disability People with a Disability/People Without: (Census 2021 Tables MS-D03 and MS-D04)
Census 2021 CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
People with a long-term
condition/illness 30,656 (53.24%) 423,945 (55.14%)
People Without 90,793 (64.05%) 1,243,371 (65.33%)
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long-term Condition
Deafness or partial hearing loss 8,914 (6.29%)
Blindness or partial sight 2,560 (1.81%)
Mobility or dexterity that requires the use of a wheelchair 2,145 (1.51%)
Mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities 15,951 (11.25%)
Intellectual or learning disability 1,340 (0.95%)
Intellectual or learning difficulty 4,334 (3.06%)
Autism or Asperger syndrome 2,282 (1.61%)
An emotional, psychological or mental health condition 11,787 (8.32%)
Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss 2,681 (1.89%)
Long term pain or discomfort 17,396 (12.27%)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 14,525 (10.25%)
Other condition 13,214 (9.32%)
Source: NISRA, Census 2021, tables MS-D03, MS-D04 through to MS-D16
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
The policy outlines Council’s arrangement for business continuity and service provision to all stakeholders in the event of disruption. There is no evidence to indicate that this policy will affect this Section 75 group as all individuals will be treated the same regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
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 Neutral impact
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
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Neutral impact
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
Neutral impact
Age
Older People Neutral impact
Younger people and children Neutral impact
Political Opinion
Neutral impact
Religious Belief
Neutral impact
Martial Status
Neutral impact
Dependants
Neutral impact
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)
N/A
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)
N/A
Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
N/A
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
N/A
Age
Older People, Younger people and children
N/A
Political Opinion
N/A
Religious Belief
N/A
Marital Status
N/A
Dependants
N/A
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: N/A
Political Opinion: N/A
Racial Group: N/A
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.)
No potential impacts on people with multiple identities has been identified.
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.
N/A
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
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
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:
--
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:
N/A
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:
This plan will be reviewed annually however earlier review may be required in response to:
• Structural, procedural or systems changes within the Council that would significantly affect the management of a major disruption to critical services;
· External changes that would significantly affect the management of major disruption to the Council’s identified critical services;
· New Regulations / Guidance;
· Recommended changes following testing/exercises;
· Recommended changes following a major disruption or activation of this plan;
· Any other significant factors.