Part A, Section 2 Annual Progress Report 2023-24

Section 2:  Progress on Equality Scheme commitments and action plans/measures

Arrangements for assessing compliance (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 2)

4 Were the Section 75 statutory duties integrated within job descriptions during the 2023-24 reporting period? 

Yes, organisation wide.

Details and examples:
All Council job descriptions contain a clear obligation placed on staff to comply with and actively promote the Council’s policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.

5 Were the Section 75 statutory duties integrated within performance plans during the 2023-24 reporting period?

No, this is not an Equality Scheme commitment.

6 In the 2023-24 reporting period were objectives/ targets/ performance measures relating to the Section 75 statutory duties integrated into corporate plans, strategic planning and/or operational business plans?

Yes, through organisation wide annual business planning.
Yes, in some departments/jobs.

Details and examples:
Equality measures were included in Business Plans, departmental objectives and continued to be addressed within the corporate planning process. Action Plans from the Every Customer Counts assessment were incorporated into annual business improvement planning.  

Equality action plans/measures

7 Within the 2023-24 reporting period, please indicate the number of:

Actions completed:  12
Actions ongoing:  2
Actions to commence:  0
Details and examples (in addition to question 2):
As this is the last year of the current Action plan continuous actions such as training and developing actions identified via Every Customer Counts initiative have been classed as completed.  There were 2 actions which were not completed, digital transformation and the introduction of staff appraisal systems.  These 2 actions ongoing and the continuous actions were reviewed and where suitable adopted into the new Action Plan.

8 Please give details of changes or amendments made to the equality action plan/measures during the 2023-24 reporting period (points not identified in an appended plan):

The Equality Action Plan was reviewed based on an audit of inequalities and consultation with members of the public, the equality forum and staff.  The issue of Hate crime was highlighted and addressed in joint projects with PCSP, Good Relations and the Equality section.

9 In reviewing progress on the equality action plan/action measures during the 2023-24 reporting period, the following have been identified: 

• Continuing action(s), to progress the next stage addressing the known inequality.

• Action(s) to address the known inequality in a different way.

• Action(s) to address newly identified inequalities/recently prioritised inequalities.

• Measures to address a prioritised inequality have been completed.

Arrangements for consulting (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 3)

10 Following the initial notification of consultations, a targeted approach was taken – and consultation with those for whom the issue was of particular relevance:

Sometimes.

11 Please provide any details and examples of good practice in consultation during the 2023-24 reporting period, on matters relevant (e.g. the development of a policy that has been screened in) to the need to promote equality of opportunity and/or the desirability of promoting good relations:

• The Equality Forum continues to work as a consultation medium. Consultation methods included face-to-face/hybrid meetings or focus groups.
• Production of increased Easy Read versions of documents, peer reviewed in conjunction with the Cedar Foundation.
• Ballycastle Leisure Centre co-design group included representatives such as the Mae Murray Foundation from the outset.
• The actions contained in the Autism Action Plan have been developed and progressed via partnership working with the Northern and Western Health Boards, regional and local autism groups and champions.  Actions were co-designed, developed and fulfilled in partnership with these groups.
• The Diversity Ambassador raised the profile of various equality actions and campaigns and encouraged consultation involvement through video and social media messages.

12 In the 2023-24 reporting period, given the consultation methods offered, which consultation methods were most frequently used by consultees: 

• Face to face meetings.
• Focus groups.
• Written documents with the opportunity to comment in writing.
• Questionnaires.
• Information by email with an opportunity to opt in/out of the consultation.
• Other: Hybrid meetings.

Details or examples of the uptake of these methods of consultation in relation to the consultees’ membership of particular Section 75 categories:
The consultations undertaken were open to all S75 categories.  No monitoring information was gathered in relation to method uptake by particular S75 categories.

13 Were any awareness-raising activities for consultees undertaken, on the commitments in the Equality Scheme, during the 2023-24 reporting period? 

Yes.

Details and examples:
Emails, tweets and Facebook messages were sent to equality consultees and community groups within the Council area and flyers/postcards handed out at events/workshops and events to encourage participation in equality either as a consultee or as part of the Councils equality forum.

14 Was the consultation list reviewed during the 2023-24 reporting period?

Yes.

Arrangements for assessing and consulting on the likely impact of policies (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 4)

Screening outcome reports can be found here:  Screening Outcome Reports - Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council (causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk)
Annual reports can be found here: Annual Equality Reports - Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council (causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk)
The equality scheme can be found here: Equality Scheme - Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council (causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk)

15  Please provide the number of policies screened during the year (as recorded in screening reports):  19

16 Please provide the number of assessments that were consulted upon during 2023-24:

18 Policy consultations conducted with screening assessment presented. 
1  Policy consultations conducted with an equality impact assessment (EQIA) presented.
 

17 Please provide details of the main consultations conducted on an assessment (as described above) or other matters relevant to the Section 75 duties:

EQIA Consultation in relation to the draft Public Memorials Policy Framework:

• Engagement with the elected members, staff, Council’s Equality Scheme consultees, members of the public, equality forum and youth voice.
• Direct consultation with members of the public, Elected Members and staff through a paper survey, on-line survey and written submissions.

Draft Equality Action Plan:

• Engagement with staff, Council’s Equality Scheme consultees, members of the public, equality forum and youth voice.
• Direct consultation with members of the public, through an on-line feedback process.

Draft Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan:

• Engagement with staff, Council’s Equality Scheme consultees, members of the public, equality forum and youth voice.
• Direct consultation with members of the public, representative groups through focus groups and an on-line feedback process.

Development of a new Ballycastle Leisure Centre and outdoor leisure facilities:

• Engagement with staff, Council’s Equality Scheme consultees, members of the public, equality forum and youth voice.
• Direct consultation with members of the public, representative groups through focus groups and an on-line feedback process.

18 Were any screening decisions (or equivalent initial assessments of relevance) reviewed following concerns raised by consultees? 

No concerns were raised.

Arrangements for publishing the results of assessments (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 4)

19 Following decisions on a policy, were the results of any EQIAs published during the 2023-24 reporting period?

Yes.

Details and examples:
EQIA Stained Glass Window.

 

20 From the Equality Scheme monitoring arrangements, was there an audit of existing information systems during the 2023-24 reporting period? 

Yes.

Details:  
Data was updated as new regional information became available.  Internal staff data was also updated and provided to staff.  Communication documents were re-prioritised to support reformatting into easy read.

21 In analysing monitoring information gathered, was any action taken to change/review any policies? 

Yes.

Details and examples:
In line with the absence policy menopause section there has been additional support provided and training available for staff.  As individuals continue to work in a hybrid basis there has been continued support to manage anxiety, raise awareness of potential mental health concerns and support to build resilience.  The OD/HR section provide Stay Well information articles via email, the staff news and intranet.
LGBTQIA+ Awareness and disability inclusion training supported staff to understand the diverse needs of various individuals within our borough. 

22 Please provide any details or examples of where the monitoring of policies, during the 2023-24 reporting period, has shown changes to differential/adverse impacts previously assessed:

Councils’ procurement policy was reviewed in line with responsible procurement and now includes a section on Social Value (equality) and Sustainability.

23 Please provide any details or examples of monitoring that has contributed to the availability of equality and good relations information/data for service delivery planning or policy development:

All consultation processes during this period included an easy read document.  Increased co-production was undertaken to provide surveys in a format which supported groups who in the past would have been excluded; to now have their say.

Staff Training (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 5)

24 Please report on the activities from the training plan/programme (section 5.4 of the Model Equality Scheme) undertaken during 2023-24, and the extent to which they met the training objectives in the Equality Scheme.

Training                                                                      No of Attendees
Autism Awareness                                                                 13
Dementia Awareness                                                              7
Disability Awareness & Inclusion                                          298
Managing Anxiety                                                                 219
Menopause Awareness                                                         14
Mental Health Awareness                                                     187
New & Expectant Mothers at Work                                         2
Resilience                                                                             211
Dignity & Respect at Work 31.10.23                                      4
Dignity at Work 09.02.24                                                       4
Disability Inclusive training 21.12.23                                    19
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training - Session 1 13.09.23         14
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training - Session 2 13.09.23         16
ONUS - Domestic Violence Awareness Raising Tier 1          8
Onus Safe Employer Bronze 13.12.23                                   5

Induction training sessions all include a section on the provision of S75, general Equality and Diversity issues and Good Relations. In addition, Makaton signs and symbols are provided in all Staff news editions to develop the understanding of this language and support improved interaction and communication.  Awareness raising emails and staff news articles which include lived experiences continue to develop understanding and the acceptance of differences.

The above training sessions have met the following training objectives contained in the Council’s Equality Scheme:
• Continue to deliver a suite of equality and diversity related training for all staff.
• Develop a corporate approach to enhancing the customer experience.
• Compliance and improved recording processes.
• Review issues identified on an annual basis and develop actions to address them.

25 Please provide any examples of relevant training shown to have worked well, in that participants have achieved the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve the stated objectives:

The autism, dementia and disability awareness training has supported staff to interact better with customers empowering them to provide an improved service.  As a result of the autism awareness JDLC staff have been awarded the Autism Impact Award, this understanding also led to improvements in service provision and increased usage of the centre by neuro-diverse individuals, and it is hoped that this will also lead to improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
Awareness raising emails and staff news articles which include lived experiences continue to support the mainstreaming of equality and good relations in a relevant and meaningful manner.

Public Access to Information and Services (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 6)

26 Please list any examples of where monitoring during 2023-24, across all functions, has resulted in action and improvement in relation to access to information and services:

Council has continued to increase its accessible information provision through the conversion of documents provided in an Easy read format, the development of videos to support accessibility in our leisure centres and introduction of signage in service areas to support the enjoyment of neuro-diverse individuals.  Council has continued to improve its leisure provision for all abilities, JDLC has achieved an Autism Impact Award, 2 new all-ability cycle hubs were opened in Limavady and Portstewart, including electric powered bikes, platform bikes and rikshaws, and improvements made to our accessible play park provision.

Across the borough 2 mobile changing places toilets were introduced, to support people to attend events and enjoy our borough, this has been complemented by improved pedestrian access to community and museum facilities and the continuation of annual Every Customer Counts reviews. 

In addition, the PCSP and Good Relations teams worked in partnership to raise awareness and increase education about disability hate crime.  During this reporting period we consulted on a new 5-year Age Friendly Strategy Action Plan and Equality Action Plans which included actions to further improve access to information and services for all Section 75 groupings.

Complaints (Model Equality Scheme Chapter 8)

27 How many complaints in relation to the Equality Scheme have been received during 2023-24?

2

Details of each complaint raised and outcome:
A complaint with regards to the implementation of a Council policy decision to fly the Union flag from public buildings. This was reported in the last return but has progressed through internal processes to an external complaint and appeal to the Equality Commission. The Equality Commission Committee decided not to investigate the complaint after reviewing evidence of decision-making processes, records regarding assessments and information provided to decision makers.  This decision was appealed by the complainant and the original decision upheld at the appeal stage.
A complaint of Disability Discrimination to the Equality Commission with regards to disability access.  Council accepted its failure to make reasonable adjustments and settled the case.  Council implemented recommendations by the Equality Commission and reaffirmed its very strong commitment to the principle of equality in respect of the provision of services to the public.