Equality Action Plan Rural Needs Assessment
Equality Action Plan Rural Needs Assessment
SECTION 1 -
Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Equality Action Plan has been developed following a cross cutting audit of the impact of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council work on the nine equality group categories. The actions within the Equality Action Plan aims to mitigate or remove barriers to improve both service provision and the quality of life for our citizens and visitors.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing a plan
Adopting a plan
Implementing a plan
Delivering a public service
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Revision of current practices and audit of inequalities to develop an Equality Action Plan.
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The action plan addresses the need for council to create a corporate approach to equality and diversity issues across all business planning areas.
The actions within the Equality Action Plan aims to mitigate or remove barriers noted in the audit to ultimately improve both service provision and the quality of life for our citizens and visitors.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used. N/A
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’. N/A
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 -
Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes If the response is NO GO TO Section 2E.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
The audit of inequalities and relating equality action plan will impact on individuals from both rural and urban areas who are colleagues, visitors, or customers to the Council buildings as the action will support the redress of inequalities in both rural and urban areas. However, the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
The audit of inequalities and relating equality action plan will impact on individuals from both rural and urban areas the same, however the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process which will allow for the identification of additional impacts currently unidentified.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Rural Tourism
Rural Crime or Community Safety
Rural Service Improvements
If the response to Section 2A was YES GO TO Section 3A.
--
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
--
SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Yes If the response is NO GO TO Section 3E.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders
Published Statistics
Research Papers
Surveys or Questionnaires
Other Publications
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
The social and economic needs of people in rural areas have been identified using published statistics from the Northern Ireland Census and the most recent Life and Times Survey. In addition, the needs identified in Council strategies, published research from a variety of sources such as the equality commission, disability action etc, area specific surveys and commissioned audits were taken into account. Impacts will be further supported through consultation with staff and their representative groups, the local equality forum and consultation with local representatives.
In addition, the final equality action plan has been drafted in light of research, good practice guidelines and information from:
• Other Councils policy and processes;
• Good Relations audit and Strategy;
• “Together building a United Community” Strategy May 2013
• The final plan will include consultation with individuals from both rural and urban areas who are colleagues, visitors or customers to the Council buildings.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
Socially individuals from rural areas tend to have to travel longer distances to work, to socialize with friends/work colleagues. This may mean that they chose a workplace nearer to their home address to meet their economic needs. In turn inequalities or barriers must be addressed to support the needs of all users regardless of the area in which they live or visit.
In addition, many of the Council services provide a social function and changes to rural demographics and the impact of the proposed actions must support their needs, which will be determined through consultation.
Therefore, it is important that the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.
If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
--
SECTION 4 -
Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Research by the Economic Development section for its strategy; highlighted that socially individuals in rural areas my feel more isolated, therefore individuals may socialize in their locality or with work colleagues in central locations which in turn may reduce this isolation. The impact of the proposed action plan is currently undetermined via direct consultation. However, the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.
Increased migration to rural areas the composition of residents may have changed since the 2021 census. This may be of particular relevance to the additional social function provided by many council services or facilities. Therefore, ways to mitigate any presently unidentified impacts should be identified.
SECTION 5 -
Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
Yes If the response is NO GO TO Section 5C.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The impacts of the proposed equality actions contained in the plan will be further considered via a consultation process.
In addition, the draft equality action plan has been developed considering research, current strategies, business plans and good practice guidelines.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
--
SECTION 6 -
Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Policy Officer
Division/Branch Corporate Services, Policy & Community Planning Section
Date: 19 December 2023
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of Policy and Community Planning
Division/Branch Corporate Services, Policy & Community Planning Section
Date: 21 December 2023