Equality impact Assessment form (Part 1)
Screening
Name of strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:
Core Strategy Development Plan Document
Name and telephone number of officers completing assessment:
Bev Hindle ext 6512
Julia Dawe ext 6168
Date completed:
29 December 2008
Section one: Identify your aims and objectives
The purpose of an Equality Impact Assessment is to improve the work of the Council by
making sure it does not discriminate and that, where possible, it promotes equality. It is a
way to make sure individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of their work
on people in Reigate & Banstead and take action to improve strategies, policies,
procedures, projects and functions where appropriate.
Consider the following questions with regard to your
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:
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How will it be put into practice and who will be responsible for it?
Who are the key stakeholders?
What are you trying to achieve and for whom?
What is the main aim or purpose of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function?
The main purpose of the Core Strategy is to guide land use planning proposals and
decisions and infrastructure investment priorities and delivery across the Borough up to
2026. The policies central to the Core Strategy deal with a variety of land uses including
housing, countryside and transport but also specify where development should be directed
and when it should be delivered.
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List the main activities or objectives of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function
(for strategies list the main policy areas):
Spatial vision for how the Borough should grow to 2026;
Spatial planning policies which reflect the character of the Borough, protecting areas of
special character and also directing where development should take place;
Place-shaping policies which state how much and what type of development should be
taking place in specific areas where growth is being directed;
Cross-cutting policy themes such as affordable housing and transport which affect the
whole of the Borough;
Implementation policies which set out how the Council will seek to secure development
that is sustainable.
Who are main beneficiaries of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function and in
what way?
The Borough’s “public” which includes: residents; businesses and workers in the Borough;
shoppers in our town centres; those who use our leisure and countryside facilities (e.g.
pools, footpaths); those looking to invest in the Borough (e.g. land agents, house-hunters,
businesses). They all benefit from the certainty the policies establish over the kind of
Borough we want to have by 2026 and over where infrastructure investment will take place
– also through the improved communities that new infrastructure investment brings.
Section two: Consider data and research
A vital part of the process is exploring any available data and relevant research. This will
help to form an opinion on the implications a strategy/policy/procedure/project/function may
have in relation to equality and diversity.
Data can be statistical information from formal audits, consultation exercises (both external
and internal), and surveys. Qualitative and quantitative data can be used. This may include
service performance information, workforce profiles, local population and census data.
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Statistical data can be found in the About the Borough section of The Knowledge
under Facts and figures
Consultation data can be found in the About the Borough section under
Consultations
Where data is limited or not available managers should identify this as a limitation and
devise action plans to overcome this. This may be achieved by contacting specialist
organisations, representatives from the respective equality groups, and by further research
of existing regional and national data.
What data is available to help inform the EIA?
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Census data;
Government projections (e.g. ONS population projections);
Evidence base prepared to assist in developing the Local Development Framework (the
overall planning policy framework which includes the Core Strategy) – this includes, for
example, economic needs assessment; affordable housing needs assessment and viability
appraisal; flood risk assessment; retail needs assessment.
Are there any gaps which may require further research or consultation?
There is an inherent gap between our knowledge of demographic conditions today and our
ability to accurately project future demographics. The nature of any projection is that it is
an estimate. Thorough analysis and regular updates are required to keep this information
up to date. Consultation on these projections is important as it allows others to challenge
the assumptions for the projections which in aid should help them to be robust.
Section three: Assess the impact on equality target groups
Assess where you think that the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function could have a
negative impact on any of the equality target groups i.e. it could disadvantage them or where
it could have a positive impact or contribute to promoting equality, equal opportunities or
improving relations within equality target groups.
Consider the following:
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publicity, including design, distribution, accessible communications issues
physical access
location, geography
poverty, deprivation and social exclusion issues
employment
safety
direct discrimination: does the strategy, policy or project intentionally exclude a particular
equality category? Is this justified?
indirect discrimination: does the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function affect some
equality categories disproportionately? Is this justified? Is the
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function or its outcomes (such as the services provided)
likely to be equally accessed by all? Are there barriers that might inhibit or restrict access
to the service for some people?
This section can be difficult to answer in areas where there is little or no information but lack
of data should not be a reason to halt the process. Please continue to complete this form.
Using the table below, take each one of the equality target groups and predict the
likely impact on people from these groups. Impact can be positive, negative, direct or
indirect. You do not have to complete all the boxes. Only those where there is a
disproportionate or greater impact either way.
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Positive
impact
(it could
benefit)
Women
Gender
Men
Transgendered
Men/Women
Asian
Neutral
High Low
High Low
High Low
High Low
Race
The categories
used in the
Race section
are those used
in the 2001
census.
Consideration
should be
given to the
needs of
specific
communities
within the
broad
categories.
Black
Mixed race
White
Chinese
Other racial or
ethnic groups specify
Physical
High Low
High Low
High Low
High Low
High Low
High Low
Disability
Long term
health
impairment
could include,
mental health
problems,
asthma, heart
conditions,
chronic fatigue
etc.
Sensory
Learning
Long Term
Health
Impairment
Sexual
orientation
Heterosexuals,
lesbians, gay
men and
bisexuals
Reason
Negative
impact
(it could
disadvantag
e)
High Low
High Low
High Low
High Low
Policies and consultation are
strategic and non-gender
based.
As above
As above
Consultation did not
specifically target any race –
documents available in other
languages as required or
requested
As above
As above
As above
As above
Should be a positive bias
towards Gypsy and Traveller
communities as the CS
includes positive action
policies for the provision of
housing sites for these groups.
Includes inclusive design
policies which seeks to
promote developments which
take all physical disabilities
into account (shouldn’t it be all
disabilities???)
As above
Economic Needs assessment
pointed towards need for
training and picked up in Core
Strategy
Core Strategy picked up local
obesity issue and connected to
policies seeking and
encouraging greater
recreational opportunities
Consultation has not been
directed to any specific groups
based on sexual orientation.
Not expected to be impact.
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Positive
impact
(it could
benefit)
Neutral
Reason
Negative
impact
(it could
disadvantag
e)
Older people
High Low
Age
Younger people
and children
High Low
Could be benefit as facilities
and housing for older people
are actively promoted in CS
policies.
Should be positive benefit as
policies seek to deliver better
education and youth facilities.
Religion or
belief
Faith groups
cover a wide
range of
groupings, the
most common
of which are
Buddhists,
Christians,
Hindus, Jews,
Muslims, and
Sikhs.
Consider faith
categories
individually
and collectively
when
considering
positive and
negative
impacts.
Faith groups
High Low
May be benefit as community
facilities sought from new
development may include,
where need is shown, land for
religious facilities.
If you have indicated there is a potential negative impact on any group, are these
Intentional and of a High Impact?
Intended? – i.e. can be justified in terms of legislation
e.g. Concessionary fares over 60s
Yes
No
High impact? – i.e. it is or may be discriminatory
against some groups.
Yes
No
Is the negative impact
NOT INTENDED and/or of HIGH IMPACT?
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If yes, a full assessment is required. Please complete the Equality impact assessment
form Part Two: Full assessment.
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If no, complete the rest of this form below and consider if completing the Equality
impact assessment form Part Two: Full assessment would be helpful in making a
thorough assessment. Do not ignore low impacts – these could help you develop
services in the future.
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Section four: Improvement planning
It is important to consider any influence the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function is
having, or could potentially have, on the individual strands of equality. The
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function should be examined for its effectiveness in:
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promoting equality
eliminating discrimination
achieving equity
Could you minimise or remove any low negative impact or improve the positive impact of the
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function and if so how?
Analysis must be undertaken with the strategic objectives of the Council in mind and the
questions should reflect legal requirements, the emerging Local Development Framework
and population needs.
Use the table below to record how you could minimise or remove any low negative
impact or improve the positive impact of the
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:
Issue
More direct consultation
with minority groups could
create more positive
impact.
Action
Should review the Council’s Statement of Community
Involvement to determine if there are better, more thorough
ways of engaging all groups in the Borough. A pragmatic
approach is needed as it may not be feasible or viable to
engage at individual level.
If there is no evidence that the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function promotes
equality, equal opportunities or improved relations – could it be adapted so that it
does? How?
N/A
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Section five: Monitoring and reviewing
What data do you have which monitors the impact of the
strategy/policy/procedure/project/function on minority groups?
The Annual Monitoring Report includes data on affordable housing provision and the
number of sites available for gypsies and travellers is also recorded.
How is this data used?
Sufficient supply of land for housing, affordable housing and for the gypsy and travelling
communities must be maintained. If insufficient sites are available to meet need, the
Council has a duty to identify suitable sites through its planning policies.
If there is no data, please explain how you intend to continue monitoring the impact of
this strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:
N/A
Please send a copy of the completed form to the Equalities Steering Group, via Lorraine
Hatton at lorraine.hatton@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
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