p1 -Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Equality Impact
Assessment
Form
Promoting Equality in Service
Delivery and Employment
p2
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Part 1: Aims and Implementation of the service/ policy/procedure or practice
1.1 What is being assessed? (Name of the service, policy, procedure or practice – is it new or a
review of an existing)
Wheeled bin waste & recycling alternate weekly collection (AWC) service.
New Service, but policy and procedure are in place.
1.2 Who is responsible for carrying out the assessment? Why were they selected (e.g. their
knowledge/experience)
1) Mr. Graham Gosden, Waste Collection Manager. Mr. Gosden is an experienced officer in
relation to waste & recycling collection service.
2) Mr. Mark Seed, Head of Commercial Service
3) Mrs. Jay Jones – rep on CEPG
4) Ms. Suzanne Dowse – lead officer on CEPG.
1.3 What is the main purpose or aims of the service, policy, procedure or practice?
To improve waste containment and improve recycling levels to achieve national targets.
1.4 Who is affected by the service, policy, procedure or practice? Who is intended to benefit and
how?
Who are the main stakeholders? What would they want from this policy?
The majority of residential householders. Both the target residents and the wider community
benefit by better containment of waste, increased recycling and cleaner streets, which would
have the indirect benefit of attracting more visitors to the area with the accompanying
economic benefits. Cleaner streets would also project a positive perception on safety both for
residents and visitors.
Are there groups that would be expected to benefit from the intended outcomes, but which do
not?
None identified. Possibly households who tend to generate excessive amounts of waste may
not fully benefit from the service.
1.5 Has the service, policy, procedure or practice been promoted or explained to those that it may affect
directly or indirectly?
YES – both directly and indirectly through the local press, article in Thanet Matters as well as
leaflets delivered to individual households, public meetings and bus tour in target areas.
Public meetings and bus tours will include an employee fully fluent in sign language.
Additional information is available on the Council’s website and affected stakeholders may
phone if they have any questions or concerns with facility available to request information in
other formats (e.g. Braille or large print) and/or in another language.
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
1.6 How does the service, policy, procedure or practice promote relations between different communities
and contribute to better community cohesion?
All sections of the community are encouraged and enabled to contribute to the sustainable
management of waste.
1.7 How does the service, policy, procedure or practice relate to the council’s corporate and partnership
priorities?
How do these outcomes meet or hinder other policies, values or objectives of the council?
The Service is a top corporate priority for the Council to improve quality of local services.
The outcomes of the wheeled bins services will help Council apply for “Cleaner Greener”
Beacon status in 2008/09. It also contributes substantially to the community strategy key
theme “Environment and Housing”. A recent MORI survey has identified street cleanliness
and waste as a key area of local concern.
1.8 What is the relevance of the aims of the service, policy, procedure or practice to equality target
groups and the Council’s duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of
opportunity? Are there any groups that are likely to be particularly affected?
The wheeled bin service will be provided to ALL suitable properties in the allocated areas.
Residents with specific needs will be provided with smaller, larger and/or assisted collection
to suit their requirements so that all stakeholders would have equal opportunity to access the
service. Where appropriate, properties in HMOs would be provided with either larger bins or
“Euro” (1100L) bins. Properties that are not suitable for the wheeled bin service will continue
to have the black-sack collection service With this service in effect, no groups are likely to be
particularly affected.
1.9 How is, or will the service, policy, procedure or practice be put into practice and who is or will be
responsible for it? Does the department provide the service alone or in conjunction with other
departments?
Two wheeled bins will be provided to each of the households in October/November 2006,
with detailed information on the arrangements and schedule of collections with the ability to
request alternate sized bins and assisted collections. The Waste & Recycling department
provides the service. Communications & Publicity departments will provide assistance on
production of leaflets and website information. Customer Service will provide assistance with
responding to stakeholders’ queries.
1.10 What are the measures in place to ensure partner organisations are complying with the Council’s
equal opportunities policy?
Delivery of wheeled bins undertaken by Straights. Delivery will be supervised by Council
employees to ensure compliance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities policy.
p3
p4
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Part 2: Data and research
Information is crucial to any assessment assess whether there may be barriers to different equalities
groups who access the service policy, procedure or practice. To conduct the assessment you will need
information on service users, possible service users and staff.
2.1 List all examples of quantitative and qualitative data or consultation information available that will
enable the assessment to be carried out. Include all appropriate information for example data from
other departments or the census. It may be that the appropriate data does not exist and additional
research may be necessary and becomes an action point. Lack of comprehensive information is not a
reason for inaction.
National Statistics, census from KCC, 2-yearly satisfaction survey, consultation on pilot
scheme, local waste plan consultation 2005, phase 2 leaflet responses, Environmental
Liveability Survey 2006
2.2 What is the profile of users or beneficiaries? Please provide data by target groups to determine
whether the user profile reflects local demographics. This will help to establish any over or under
representation.
All households in target areas, i.e., the service is provided to all properties in the area that
are physically capable of accommodating wheeled bins. The profile of users reflects the local
demographics. Data can be provided once roll-out is complete, i.e., end November 2006.
2.3 Is there any evidence of complaints from customers or staff (grievances) on the grounds of
discrimination relating to the affect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on equality target
groups?
NO. Properties that are unable to physically accommodate wheeled bins will continue to
receive the existing black sack collection service. Where possible, properties of multiple
occupancies are provided with larger sized bins if these can be accommodated. If this is not
possible, properties will continue to have the black-sack collection service.
2.4 What does the consultation, research and data held indicate about the NEGATIVE impact of the
service, policy, procedure or practice?
Results of pilot scheme showed that 15% of target properties might not fully benefit, mainly
due to alternate weekly collections and waste volume restrictions. This information resulted
in amendment to phase-1 rollout to provide the option to households with more residents to
request larger sized bins by reducing the threshold for this.
2.5 What does the consultation, research and data held indicate about the POSITIVE impact of the
service, policy, procedure or practice? Consider ways in which discrimination is tackled or equal
opportunity and good community relations are promoted.
Results of consultation and research show 85% satisfaction with the service. This
percentage is increased by the provision of alternative bin sizes, assisted collections and
reduced street litter.
2.6 Is a full impact assessment required? Note that if a potentially discriminatory impact on one or more
groups has been identified the answer to this question will be YES
YES.
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Part 3: Testing disproportional, adverse, neutral or positive impact1
Following the consideration of the purpose of the service, policy, procedure or practice and the relevant
data held. This section will be help assess the impact that it may have on each of the diversity groups
covered in the Council’s equality and diversity policy. The policy is available on the intranet.
RACE and ETHNIC GROUPS
3.1 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
different RACE or ETHNIC groups.
None identified. Service to be provided to all properties in the area that are physically
capable of accommodating wheeled bins. Some members of this group may be indirectly
affected if they live in areas with properties that are physically incapable of accommodating
wheeled bins. All properties that are unsuitable for the service will continue to have their
household waste contained in black-sacks collected.
3.2 How is the target group reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this?
National Census of 2001 shows 5% of users/beneficiaries are from the target group.
3.3 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect racial or ethnic
groups differently? (Circle as appropriate).
Yes
No
NO
3.4 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Barriers

Reason/Evidence/Comment
Language may be a barrier to understanding the literature explaining
use of wheeled bins. However, facility is available to request
information in another language.
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
An impact is defined as “an intentional or unintentional lasting consequence or significant change in
people’s lives brought about by a policy action or series of actions.
1
Differential impact:
Adverse impact:
Positive impacts:
Neutral impact:
A group is affected differently by a given policy. This may be positive,
negative or neutral.
The impact on a particular group is less favourable and possibly illegal
The impact on a particular group is more favourably and would have to be
justified by the overall aims of the policy.
The group is neither positively nor negatively affected by the given policy
action or series of action.
p5
p6
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
3.5 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
one racial or ethnic group or for another legitimate reason?
NO.
GENDER
3.6 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
different GENDER groups
NO.
3.7 How are men and women reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this?
Based on 2001 National Census, the gender profile of targeted households approximately
equal with some minor variability by ward.
3.8 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect men and women
differently? (Tick as appropriate).
Yes
No

3.9 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Reason/Evidence/Comment
Barriers
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
3.10 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
men or women or for another legitimate reason?
NO.
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
DISABILITY
3.11 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
different DISABILITY groups.
1) People with physical disability may have difficulty moving bins. To mitigate this, the
wheeled bins are provided with larger wheels to make moving them easier.
2) People with mental disability may have difficulty understanding the information or
instructions.
3) People with sensory disability may have difficulty reading the information., however, facility
is available to request information in other formats (e.g. Braille or large print).
4) To enable partially sighted people or those who have trouble distinguishing colours to
differentiate between the two coloured bins, Braille has been included on wheeled-bin lids.
3.12 How are disabled people reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this? (You may find it helpful to draw out different disability groups
for example physically disabled, mental health illness, and sensory disabilities).
As the service is based on properties that are capable of accommodating wheeled bins, the
profile of users in this group reflects the local demographics.
3.13 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect disabled groups
differently? (Tick as appropriate).
Yes

No
3.14 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Barriers

Reason/Evidence/Comment
1) Some people may have difficulty in understanding and/or using
the service. However, facility is available to request information in
other formats (e.g. Braille or large print).
2) People with physical disability may have difficulty moving bins.
To mitigate this, the wheeled bins are provided with larger wheels
to make moving them easier.
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
3.15 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
one disabled group or for another legitimate reason?
NO.
p7
p8
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
AGE
3.16 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
different AGE groups.
None identified. Age is not a barrier to benefiting from the service and an assisted collection
service is available to users with specific needs. The wheeled bins have been installed with
larger wheels to help make manoeuvring them easier.
3.17 How are different age groups reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this?
The National Census 2001 shows 11% of Thanet residents are aged over 75. As the service
is based on properties that are capable of accommodating wheeled bins, the profile of users
in different age groups reflects the local demographics. Data can be provided once roll-out is
complete, i.e., end November 2006.
3.18 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect age groups
differently? (Tick as appropriate).
Yes
No

3.19 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Barriers

Reason/Evidence/Comment
Some people may have difficulty moving bins. To mitigate this, the
wheeled bins are provided with larger wheels to make moving them
easier.
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
3.20 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
one age group or for another legitimate reason?
N/A.
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER GROUPS
3.21 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
No effect. Service to be provided to all properties in the area that are physically capable of
accommodating wheeled bins.
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
3.22 How are these groups reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this?
No data available. However, as wheeled bins are rolled out to all properties that are
physically capable of accommodating them, the profile of users would reflect any data/local
demographics for this group.
3.23 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people differently? (Circle as appropriate).
Yes
No

3.24 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Reason/Evidence/Comment
Barriers
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
3.25 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people or for another legitimate reason?
N/A.
RELIGION/BELIEF
3.26 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on
different religious/belief groups.
From information available, it is believed that there is no effect on different religious/belief
groups. Pilot scheme did not indicate any effect on the service on any religious/belief groups.
Service is provided to all properties in the area that are physically capable of accommodating
wheeled bins.
3.27 How are the target groups reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or
practice? How do you know this?
National Statistics 2001 shows the religion census in Thanet as being composed of 73.58%
Christians, 15.86% no religion, 8.97% religion-not stated and 1.6% for other religions
surveyed. Some members of this group may be indirectly affected if they live in areas with
properties that are physically incapable of accommodating wheeled bins. All properties that
are unsuitable for the service will continue to have their household waste contained in blacksacks collected.
As the service is based on properties that are capable of accommodating wheeled bins, the
profile of users in different age groups reflects the local demographics. Data can be provided
once roll-out is complete, i.e., end November 2006.
p9
p 10 Thanet District Council – EIA Form
3.28 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect religious or
belief groups differently? (Circle as appropriate).
Yes
No

3.29 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Reason/Evidence/Comment
Barriers
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
3.30 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
one religious or belief group or for another legitimate reason?
N/A.
OTHER – additional groups that may experience impacts – this may be determined by poverty,
literacy, location (town/rural).
3.31 From the information available, identify the effect of the service, policy, procedure or practice on other
groups in Thanet.
No effect identified on other groups in Thanet. Service to be provided to all properties in the
area that are physically capable of accommodating wheeled bins. However, this could mean
that some properties in areas of greater social deprivation may not be able to benefit from the
service due to the type/location etc., of their property. But they will be provided with
alternative waste collection and recycling services.
3.32 How is this group/s reflected in the users/beneficiaries of the service, policy, procedure or practice?
How do you know this?
It is generally known that Thanet is an area of higher social & economic deprivation with
concentration of users in areas such as Cliftonville West, Margate Central areas. As the
service is based on properties that are capable of accommodating wheeled bins, the profile of
users in different age groups reflects the local demographics. Some members of this group
may be indirectly affected if they live in areas with properties that are physically incapable of
accommodating wheeled bins. All properties that are unsuitable for the service will continue
to have their household waste contained in black-sacks collected. Data can be provided
once roll-out is complete, i.e., end November 2006.
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
3.33 From the evidence available does the policy affect, or have the potential to affect other groups
differently? (Circle as appropriate).
Yes
No
3.34 If yes, do any of the differences amount to:
Barriers
Negative Impact
Unlawful
discrimination
Neutral Impact
Positive Impact
Reason/Evidence/Comment
Property may not be suitable for wheeled bin service. Where
possible, HMOs have been provided with larger sized bins. If these
cannot be accommodated, users will continue to have their
household waste contained in black-sacks collected.
N/A
NO
N/A
N/A
3.35 If there is a negative impact, can it be justified on the grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for
one group or for another legitimate reason?
N/A
p 11
p 12 Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Part 4: Measures to mitigate disproportionate or adverse impact or improve neutral or
positive impacts
4.1 If there is any negative impact on any target equality group identified in section 3 is it intended or
legal?
There may be some barriers to certain householders benefiting fully from the service.
However, it is neither intended nor illegal.
4.2 If the answer to 4.1 is NO is equality, equal opportunities and community cohesion
promoted?
YES. A number of measures have been put in place to mitigate possible barriers to user,
e.g., facility has been provided to request information in other formats (e.g., large print,
Braille) as well as in another language. For users with disabilities, the wheeled bins are
provided with larger wheels to facilitate manoeuvring as well as with Braille on their lids
to distinguish between waste & recycling bins. Users who need it are also provided with
assisted and clinical collections.
The service provision depends solely on whether or not a property is capable of
accommodating wheeled bins. Where a property is physically incapable of
accommodating wheeled bins, users will continue to have their household waste contained
in black-sacks collected.
4.3 In the action plan that follows
a) If disproportionate or adverse effect was identified, define the action planned to
remove/minimise /ensure it can be avoided in the future.
b) If equality and equal opportunities are not promoted or if relations within and across
target groups are not improved, define the action planned to do so.
c) If a positive or neutral impact was identified, define the action planned to promote
continuous improvement? Consider whether such action could be applied elsewhere in
the council.
d) Define how the action planned will be implemented; specify target dates, responsible
officers and how training, and resource implications will be accommodated.
e) Define the monitoring and evaluation systems that have/will be established to ensure
that the outcome of the service, policy, procedure or practice is checked regularly.
p13 -Thanet District Council – EIA Form
Part 5: INRA Assessment Action Plan
Impact
identified
Equality
Group
Affected
Action planned
Target
date
Training/
resource
implications
Help from
(officer/
dept)
Summarise the
impact identified
in section 3 i.e.
adverse
impact/failure to
promote
EO/neutral or
positive impact
Expected outcome
Monitoring
and
Evaluation
process
Lead Officer
Avoid/minimise
disproportionate/advers
e impact
Promote EO
Improve relations
between/across target
groups
Promote continuous
improvement
Possible barriers to use
People who
have difficulty
reading
and/or
understandin
g English
People with
physical
disability may
have difficulty
moving bins.
Race & Ethnic
groups
Disability:
Physical
Facility is available to
request literature and
information in another
language.
1) Smaller-sized bins
provided for those
who require it.
2) Assisted collection
provided to people
with specific
needs.
3) Larger sized bins
provided for
people with
Training: None
Provided if
and when
requested.
Nov 2006
Communications
Minimise
disproportionate impact
& promote EO.
Data to be maintained of
all requests for information
or literature in other
language/s.
Graham Gosden
Customer
Services
Minimise
disproportionate impact
& promote EO.
Half-yearly sample usersatisfaction surveys. Care
will be taken to include
samples from each ward
where the service is
provided. 1st survey will
be in June-July 2007.
Graham Gosden
Resource:
Higher costs to
Council to
provide this
service.
Training: None
Resource:
Higher costs to
Council to
provide
services
p 14
Thanet District Council – EIA Form
specific needs.
4) Users and/or
carers can phone
for clarification,
additional
explanation
People with
mental
disability may
have difficulty
understandin
g the
information or
instructions.
People with
sensory
disability may
have difficulty
reading the
information or
distinguishing
the colour of
the bin lids.
Disability:
Mental
Disability:
Sensory
Assisted collection
will continue to be
provided to people
who are currently
receiving this
service.
Users and/or
carers can phone
for clarification,
additional
explanation.
1) Leaflets can be
provided in
large print or
Braille version
2) Braille on
wheeled-bin
lids to enable
partially signed
people to
differentiate
between the
two bins.
3) Assisted
collection will
continue to be
provided to
people who are
currently
receiving this
service.
4) Users and/or
carers can
Training:
None
Nov
2006
Resource:
Higher costs
to Council to
provide
services
Graham Gosden
Customer
Services
Minimise
disproportionate
impact & promote
EO.
Half-yearly sample
user-satisfaction
surveys. Care will be
taken to include
samples from each
ward where the service
is provided. 1st survey
will be in June-July
2007.
Customer
Services
Minimise
disproportionate
impact & promote EO.
Half-yearly sample usersatisfaction surveys. Care
will be taken to include
samples from each ward
where the service is
provided. 1st survey will be
in June-July 2007.
Training: None
Nov 2006
Resource:
Higher costs to
Council to
provide
services
Graham Gosden
p 15 Thanet District Council – EIA Form
phone for
clarification,
additional
explanation.
5) Public
meetings and
bus tours will
include an
employee fully
fluent in sign
language to
assist people
with hearing
impairments.
Some
properties in
areas of
greater social
deprivation
may not be
able to benefit
from the
service due to
the
type/location
etc., of their
property.
Poverty –
users from
socially or
economically
deprived
areas
The service
provision
depends solely
on whether or not
a property is
capable of
accommodating
wheeled bins.
Where a property
is physically
incapable of
accommodating
wheeled bins,
users will
Training: None
Nov
2006
---
Resource:
Higher costs to
Council to
provide
services
Minimise
disproportionate
impact & promote EO.
continue to have
their household
waste contained
in black-sacks
collected.
PLEASE FORWARD THE COMPLETED ASSESSMENT TO CORPORATE PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENT
Half-yearly sample usersatisfaction surveys. Care
will be taken to include
samples from each ward
where the service is
provided. 1st survey will be
in June-July 2007.
Graham Gosden
Thanet District Council – EIA Form p16
Part 6: Conclusions and recommendations
5.1 Does the service, policy, procedure or practice comply with equalities legislation, including the
duty to promote equality?
YES
5.2 What are the main areas for further consideration?
Consider an analysis of non-user areas (i.e., where wheeled bins are not going to be
provided) to assess possible impact on any of the target groups. This could be undertaken in
2008-09 after the completion of the second phase of wheeled bins roll-out.
5.3 Summarise recommendations for improvement
More current Data/Statistics on the local demographics of target groups would be helpful.
5.4 State how the assessment has been scrutinised (i.e. internal/external/members/stakeholders). What
were the results?
Internal.
No Adverse, negative or discriminatory effect/impact on any of the target groups. Wherever
possible, action is being taken to mitigate possible barriers to use.
5.5 State when the (amended) service, policy, procedure or practice will be reviewed
N/A/
Date completed:
Signed by:
Name
Thanet District Council – EIA Form p17