Digital Strategy

This strategy relates to Council being able to embrace new technologies and processes where they can bring about better experiences for all citizens and visitors to the Borough. The strategy has identified three key themes; Digital Infrastructure, Digital Skills and Digital Sector that will form the foundation of any future digital development initiatives within Prosperity and Place.   

This is the initial Section 75 Policy Screening exercise and the strategy was screened out with no mitigating measures and the Screening Form is available to be circulated. 

What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)

The Digital Strategy’s intended aims and outcomes are: 

Digital Infrastructure:
1. Ubiquitous broadband
2. Support wireless infrastructure
3. Reduce barriers to roll-out
4. Digital transformation in the Council

Digital Skills:
1. Basic Skills – ensure effective focus on digital skills for all throughout education and post-education. 
2. Professional Skills - Support continuous professional development and apprenticeships programmes for digital companies.
3. Advanced Skills - Develop and maintain networking opportunities for digital sector throughout Northern Ireland and internationally.

Digital Sector:
1. Create Digital Hubs
2. Networking Support
3. Support Start-ups
4. Support Key Sectors

The desired outcomes of the Digital Strategy are to:

• Develop an effective digital connectivity plan and to be prepared for any future funding opportunities that may arise supporting communication investments.
• Transform Council’s digital capabilities both in-house and for services offered to public.
• Ensure educational/skills programmes are available to all skill levels to safeguarding abilities to be effective members of an increasingly technological workforce.
• Provide support for the local business community and create digital spaces that can improve business productivity and longevity.
• Enhance the potential to attract tourism and investment to Borough.
   

Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Owners:

• Prosperity and Place Head of Service – overall coordination.
• Business Development Manager – day to day business development activities.
• Town and Village Manager – working with these areas to improve place management.
• Strategic Projects Manager – key strategic issues such as broadband and innovation.
• Rural Development Manager - responsibility for the Rural Development Programme, which is now coming to an end. 

Implemented by:

• Prosperity and Place Head of Service
• Strategic Projects Manager
   

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

• Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council - Council Strategy 2015-2019
• Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council – Community Planning Strategy 2017-2030
• Draft NI programme for Government Framework 2016-2021
• DoE Economic Strategy 2012 
• DfI – NI Regional Development Strategy 2035 
• Investment Strategy for NI 2011- 2021
• CCGBC Tourism Strategy 2015 
• Lifetime Opportunities: Government’s Antipoverty and Social Inclusion Strategy for NI
• Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998
   

• All relevant NISRA statistics which pertain to the Borough 
• The elected members of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
• A range of around 55 consultees from stakeholder groups and organisations
• Strategy was also out for public consultation and received no responses.
   

• Mid-year 2019 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144,838, accounting for 7.6 % of the N.I. total.  Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 
• It is also clear that the majority of our borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals must be considered during screening.  Therefore these groups are impacted by additional economic and social factors.
• The Council does not currently hold Section 75 monitoring data for businesses supported by the Economic Development team.  However, it does hold numbers in relation to specific programmes e.g. Women in Business Programmes.

The 2011 Census outlined:

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2011 Census indicates that our resident’s religious beliefs are comparable to those in Northern Ireland in that there are 2 predominant groupings ie Roman Catholic and Protestant.  However we also have a number of individuals (5.64%) who do not practice a specific religion or who do not wish to be grouped into a specific religion.  In addition we have a small number of individuals who practice other religions.

No issues regarding religious beliefs were raised during consultation to date with current stakeholders who have various religious beliefs and multiple identities.

The team is flexible regarding meeting sites and times which supports their aim to reach as many individuals as possible and accommodate those with various religious and non-religious beliefs. The vast majority of this consultation was carried out remotely due to exceptional circumstances relating to Covid-19.

In conclusion, this strategy and its service delivery should not impact upon any religious group and welcomes everyone who meets the relevant projects criteria eg a business owner.  To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.  

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2019) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:

This strategy does not relate to any political opinion and welcomes all individuals who meet the criteria for the project e.g. those who live in a particular area.  The selection of areas for improvement relate to set criterion such as levels of deprivation etc and although individuals living in close proximity may have similar political opinions, they are not considerations for the strategy or their selection.

As strategies are based on other factors they should not impact upon any political affiliation and therefore have a neutral impact on this Section 75 group.  

On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:

Documentation and communication materials will use plain English and relating pictorial formats.  Communication materials may also be provided in other languages to support individual’s needs.  Officers support by telephone or face-to-face for individuals who may find reading difficult for a variety of reasons.

This strategy and relating projects should not impact adversely upon any racial group as any individual in business will be supported.  To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.  

Age: (Mid Year 2019)   (NISRA statistics)

Programmes are open to business owners regardless of age.  In addition improvements to towns and villages provide spaces and opportunities to support social and community interaction between all ages.  Certain projects are aimed at the younger individual’s in schools and further education e.g. Digital Schools.

In conclusion, the project should have a positive impact on all ages. 

Marital Status: 
Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

The strategy and associated projects are open to all regardless of their marital status, again officers hold meetings at a range of times and in a range of locations and venues to support the needs of individuals from all groups within this Section 75 category.  The vast majority of this consultation was carried out remotely due to exceptional circumstances relating to Covid-19.

To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.

There are no specific figures available on how many people may be Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Trans-gender or Trans-sexual (LGBT) specific to the Council area. 

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2019) provides the following information on the sexual orientation of people in Northern Ireland (this information is not available at local government level):

In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. The strategy and associated projects are open to all regardless of their sexual orientation. To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.

Gender:  (Mid Year 2019 Population Estimates)* 

The strategy and associated projects are open to all regardless of their gender, again officers hold meetings at a range of times and in a range of locations and venues to support the needs of individuals from all groups within this Section 75 category.  The vast majority of this consultation was carried out remotely due to exceptional circumstances relating to Covid-19.

To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.  Also, some supported sectors traditionally appeal to specific genders e.g. farming, hospitality and construction; therefore there may be a positive impact on this Section 75 grouping.

The Census information in 2011 showed:
People With or Without Dependents:

The strategy and associated projects are open to all whether they have or have no dependants, again officers hold meetings at a range of times and in a range of locations and venues to support the needs of individuals from all of these groupings. The vast majority of this consultation was carried out remotely due to exceptional circumstances relating to Covid-19.

To date there is no evidence to show a detriment or benefit to any group within this Section 75 category.  However some individuals with multiple identities may benefit.

People with a Disability/People Without:
People with a long term condition/illness by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

 ____                                                              

Source: NINIS, Census 2011, KS302NI
Notes: 

1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood. 
2. ‘A mobility or dexterity difficulty’ means a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting or carrying. 
3. ‘An emotional, psychological or mental health condition’ includes conditions such as depression or schizophrenia. 
4. ‘Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing’ includes conditions such as asthma. 
5. ‘A chronic illness’ includes illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy. 
6. ‘Long-term’ refers to a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

The strategy and associated projects are open to all ranges of ability.  Again officers hold meetings at a range of times and in a range of locations and venues to support the needs of individuals from all groupings.  The vast majority of this consultation was carried out remotely due to exceptional circumstances relating to Covid-19.

Research has shown that individuals with a long term condition may either lack IT skills or be heavily reliant on technology.  The provision of some projects such as improved internet or digital partnerships may create improvements for individuals within this Section 75 category.

Impacts are determined to be neutral. Strategy will develop improvements in connectivity and digital education for all members of society.

No significant impact is determined at this point.  

Strategy includes the roll-out of digital connectivity programmes.  There is potential for individuals who suffer from Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), although this is not a recognised medical condition. 

We will keep up-to-date regarding medical progress regarding this condition and if applicable will identify mitigation methods.

Educational projects developed by the strategy will, where possible be adapted to ensure delivery is available to all, regardless of ability.

Strategy will include educational programmes that will equip older and younger generation with the skills to adapt to an increasingly technological led society.

Neutral impact on this section

Welcome statements in a variety of accessible formats for under-represented groups where relevant.

Adjustments made to delivery of educational courses, where possible.

Positive impacts are expected due to the increased digital connectivity and educational programmes developed throughout the Borough. Seeking to increase the potential for religious engagement and dialogue online. 

Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category.  Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities?  (For example:  disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.)

The consultation process supported input and feedback from individuals with multiple identities and no concerns were raised.  The review process will aid the identification of considerations not already noted.

The strategy will develop projects that will have a positive impact in connecting individuals to others through improved connectivity, education and skills development.

Screening Decision
Likely Impact
          ☐        Major                    ☐      Minor                     ☒    None

If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this:
N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced: 
N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:

Prosperity and Place has considered concerns raised through the consultations, and ongoing correspondence. The strategy has been developed to positively impact the lives of every member of our society regardless of how they self-identify.

Any further concerns raised as a result of the ongoing dialogue with representatives of the Section 75 groups will be considered in full and further changes made, where possible, to mitigate any adverse impacts identified.

When the Council concludes that the likely impact is ‘Minor’ and an equality impact assessment is not to be conducted, the Council may consider mitigation to lessen the severity of any equality impact, or the introduction of an alternative policy to better promote equality of opportunity or good relations.
Can the policy/decision be amended or changed or an alternative policy introduced to better promote equality of opportunity and/or good relations?
                                  ☐      Yes                         ☒     No

Prosperity and Place has considered concerns raised through the consultations, and ongoing correspondence. The strategy has been developed to positively impact the lives of every member of our society regardless of how they self-identify.

Any further concerns raised as a result of the ongoing dialogue with representatives of the Section 75 groups will be considered in full and further changes made, where possible, to mitigate any adverse impacts identified.

If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

N/A

Please outline proposals for future monitoring of the policy/decision:
The strategy will be reviewed annually or following the end project if this timeframe is shorter.  Any additional considerations will be noted and applied to future strategies.