Elite Athlete / Gold Card Scheme - Equality Screening

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

• A Better Future Together – A Community Plan for Causeway Coast and Glens 2017 – 2030;
• Causeway Coast and Glens Local Development Plan 2030 - Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation;
• Equality Scheme 2020
• Every Customer Counts Policy
• Council’s Corporate Strategy
• Sport NI, Draft Corporate Plan for Sport and Physical Recreation
• Department of Communities, Draft Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity.

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011;
• NINIS, Census 2011.

It is proposed that all Section 75 categories will be considered via:

• Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011, the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2020.
• Benchmarking process was undertaken with surrounding Councils in April 2021.  Internal review with relevant Council Officers.  Review of usage in legacy Councils.
• It is planned that an open consultation process will commence mid-October 2021.  The documentation will be uploaded to Councils website for borough residents to review and forward their views over a 12 week consultation period.  Key internal stakeholders such as the officers in leisure facilities and external stakeholders such as sporting governing bodies have already fed into the process.
• As the scheme may also relate to or affect staff and elected members, an internal advertisement of the consultation will be included in the staff news at the end of October.
• In addition, the consultation will be highlighted to the community by issuing information through databases such as Councils external Equality Forum, community development etc.  

Consultation responses can be provided by using the response form and emailing it to equality@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk, by post to Council Headquarters or by telephone, to accommodate the various communication needs of interested individuals and or groups.

Details of Evidence/Information

• Mid-year 2020 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144,900, accounting for 7.6% of the N.I. total.  Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 
• Council’s Equality Action plan and Disability Action Plan, specifically sport and wellbeing actions to:
  Support persons with a disability to attend and fully engage in Council events and programmes.
  Improve accessibility for individuals with a disability to participate in physical activity and improve well-being - by supporting individuals with a disability to access specialist equipment and facilitate exercise.
• The Council does not currently hold Section 75 monitoring data for legacy scheme members
• It is also clear that the majority of the Borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals will be considered further in the Rural Proofing Form.

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 i.e., 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.

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2020) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at Council area level) *:

Although service users may have a variety of political opinions or viewpoints, there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on any particular grouping.  However, the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

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

The draft documentation will use plain English and can be translated into different languges upon request.

Although service users may be part of various racial groupings, there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on any particular grouping.  However, the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

Age: (Mid Year 2020)*   (NISRA statistics)

The scheme may impact greater on the age range of 16 - 64, due to the elite level of sporting ability and the general impact that some of these sports may have on an individual’s body.  However, the statistics to date demonstrate a wide range of sports which would normally include individuals within this age band.  The consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

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

The marital status of an individual has no bearing on the scheme’s operation.  As a result, there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on any particular grouping.  However, the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

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 (2020)*   provides the following information on the sexual orientation of people in Northern Ireland (this information is not available at local government level):

The sexual orientation of an individual has no bearing on the application and plays no part in the scheme operation.  Therefore, there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on any particular grouping.  However, the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified. 

 

Gender:  (Mid Year 2020 Population Estimates)* 

The gender of an individual has no bearing on the application and plays no part in the scheme operation.  However research by the Department of Communities detailed that Females aged 16 and over were less likely to have taken part in sport at least once within the last year (51%) than males (61%).  

In reality the scheme may be more attractive and improve women’s participation in sport due to the lack of sponsorship opportunities for sports women.  The free use of a training facility may support the training regime of unsponsored individuals in upcoming or underfunded sports.

The publication of the scheme via Council and by various sporting bodies may encourage women to increase their participation in sport at all levels.  In fact seeing a recognizable elite sports person training in the facility may encourage younger individuals’ to consider the elite route.

The consultation process will support the identification of impacts on this grouping not presently identified.

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

Whether an individual has or does not have dependents has no bearing on the scheme operation.  If an individual meets the elite criteria they will be eligible to apply under the scheme.  Therefore there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on individuals with/without dependents.  However the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

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.

Whether an individual has or does not have a disability has no bearing on the scheme operation.  If an individual meets the elite criteria, they will be eligible to apply under the scheme.  Therefore, there is no evidence to indicate that this scheme will have a negative impact on individuals with a disability.  However, the consultation process will support the identification of any impact not presently identified.

Accessible parking is provided near all facilities.  

The facility will be promoted in accessible formats. 

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All applicants who meet the elite criteria may apply for the scheme

All applicants who meet the elite criteria may apply for the scheme

All applicants who meet the elite criteria may apply for the scheme

Neutral impact as noted above

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 will support input and feedback from individuals with multiple identities.

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:

Whilst the likely impact is neutral, the scheme will be subjected to a consultation process.

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

The consultation process will highlight any opportunities for future mitigation.