1.Introduction

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is committed to consultation, which is timely, open, and inclusive and conducted in accordance with the Equality Commission’s Guiding Principles and the Council’s own Equality Scheme, which states that:

“The Council is committed to consulting with a wide range of groups, from the public in general and specific voluntary and community groups to elected representatives and other public sector bodies.”

Between 21 February 2022 to 13 May 2022 the Council carried out a 12-week consultation on its proposed policy on flying the Union flag and associated draft equality impact assessment (EQIA). Due to the Easter holidays and election period, a further 2-week consultation was carried out between 16 June 2022 and 1 July 2022.

The proposed policy aims to align Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council with “the new guidance published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to have the Union flag flown on Council and Civic buildings every day (365 days)” with the outcome of embodying “the emblems of the constituent nations united under one Sovereign – the Kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Northern Ireland”.[1]

At the same time, the Council is mindful of all other guidance and statutes operating in Northern Ireland at this time, along with views of those affected by the proposed policy, including members of the public and Council staff. 

A public advertisement was placed in Coleraine Chronicle, Derry Journal, Belfast Telegraph and Irish News. The advertisement invited comments on the proposed policy.

The draft EQIA Consultation Report and accompanying questionnaire, setting out alternative policies and mitigations to alleviate any adverse impact, was available on the Council’s website.

The Council facilitated two public consultation events on Tuesday 1 March and Tuesday 8 March 2022.

All Equality Scheme consultees were notified of the availability of the draft EQIA and invited to comment. A list of these Equality Scheme organisations is attached at appendix 3.

All Elected Members and staff were notified of the availability of the draft EQIA report and consultation questionnaires on the council’s website, invited to submit written responses and attend online consultation events.

Separate online events were made available to:

• Elected Members
• Staff and
• Public

This EQIA final decision report sets out:

• the initial findings from the draft EQIA report
• the results of the consultation process
• conclusions
• recommendations for monitoring any adverse impacts

It has been prepared in order to provide the Council with all available information on which to base a decision.

[1] Days designated under the Flags Regulations and days designated by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for flying the Union Flag on UK government buildings are included at appendix 1 and appendix 2 respectively.