Statement of Community Involvement in Planning (SCI) (Revised February 2021)

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information

Service/
Function
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Policy/
Procedure
☒

Project
☐

Strategy
☐

Plan
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Guidance
☐

Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Existing ☐ Revised ☒ New ☐

Operational Area	Planning Department
Title	Statement of Community Involvement in Planning (SCI) (Revised February 2021).

Brief Summary

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out the Council’s policy/procedures for involving and consulting the community and other interested parties on its planning functions.

The requirement to produce a SCI is contained within the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (the 2011 Act) which introduced a new reformed two-tier planning system. The Planning (Statement of Community Involvement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 set out how this should be carried out.

The SCI details how the community and other interested parties will be involved in the following areas:-

The preparation of the Local Development Plan;
Development Management;
Planning Enforcement;
Supplementary Planning Guidance;
Conservation Area Designation; and
Simplified Planning Zone Designation.

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

The aim of the SCI is to set out how and when the community and other interested parties will be consulted and/or able to engage in key areas of the Council’s planning functions, with the objective of creating an open and transparent process, inclusive to all, for developing the Borough.

Opportunities for consultation/engagement will apply equally to all service users.

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

The Council’s Planning Department owns and implements the SCI.

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

Strategies:

Programme for Government (PFG)
Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035
“Everyone’s Involved” Sustainable Development Strategy
UK Marine Policy Statement
Draft NI Marine Plan
Strategic Planning Policy Statement for NI (SPPS)
Council’s Corporate Strategy
Council’s Community Plan

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2011
NINIS, Census 2001

Available Evidence
Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms. Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.
What evidence/information (both qualitative and quantitative have you gathered to inform this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Specify details for relevant Section 75 categories.

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

Quantitative evidence that has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2019.
The practice treats rural and urban citizens in the same way.

Section 75 Category

Details of Evidence/Information

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 the Borough is rural in composition and therefore the specific needs of those individuals must be considered during screening. The SCI policy/procedures are considered to treat urban and rural users equally.

Religious Beliefs

The 2011 Census outlined:

Census 2011	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic	36.97%	40.76%
Protestant & Other Christian (including Christian related)	48.44%	41.56%
Other Religions	0.59%	0.82%
None/Not stated	5.64%	6.75%

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 Council published for comment its initial SCI. No comments were received.

Political Opinion

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) *:

Party	%
DUP/Democratic Unionist Party	14
Sinn Féin	9
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)	9
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)	10
Alliance Party	15
Other Party	6
None of these	15
Other answer	8
Don't know	15

Racial Group

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

	N.I. (%)	Rest of U.K. (%)	ROI (%)	Other Europe (%)	Rest of World (%)
N.I.	88.84	4.56	2.09	2.51	1.99
Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District	91.02	4.99	1.42	1.45	1.06

The SCI will be applied uniformly across all Section 75 categories without prejudice and as such will not positivity or negatively impact any Section 75 group. It is expected to equally benefit all Section 75 categories.

The document can be made available, on request, in minority languages to meet the needs of those for whom English is not their first language.

The Council published for comment its initial SCI. No comments were received.

Age

Age: (Mid Year 2019) (NISRA statistics)

	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Under 16	26,671 (18.4%)	395,900 (20.9%)
17-44	43,518 (30%)	578,500 (30.6%)
45-64	47,995 (33.2%)	604,500 (31.9%)
65 and over	26,654 (18.4%)	314,700 (16.6%)
TOTAL Population	144,838	1,893,700

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have an Equality Scheme which contains responsibilities to consult under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Council’s Equality Officer has been informed of this Equality Impact Screening.

The SCI will be applied uniformly across all Section 75 categories without prejudice and as such will not positivity or negatively impact any Section 75 group. It is expected to equally benefit all Section 75 categories.

The document can be made available, on request, in an alternative format, including large print, PDF, Word, CD/DVD and audio/signed CD format, DAISY or Braille. Alternatively, users may use Sign Video to call and speak to a Council Officer through an interpreter (free of charge).

The Council published for comment its initial SCI. No comments were received.

Marital Status

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

Census 2011	Ballymoney BC	Coleraine BC	Limavady BC	Moyle DC
Single	32.68%	34.78%	36.64%	34.96%
Married	52.52%	48.88%	48.94%	49.03%
Civil Partnership	0.07%	0.06%	0.08%	0.08%
Separated	3.13%	3.15%	3.58%	3.66%
Divorced/ Civil Partnership Dissolved	5.23%	6.13%	4.99%	5.11%
Widowed/ Surviving Civil Partner	6.39%	7.00%	5.78%	7.15%

Sexual Orientation

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):

	%
I am ‘gay’ or ‘lesbian’ (homosexual)	2
I am heterosexual or ‘straight’	90
I am bi-sexual	1
Other	1
I do not wish to answer	7

In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT.

The SCI is a reflection of the requirement set out in the Planning Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”) and Planning (Statement of Community Involvement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. The (former) DOE (now DfI) undertook an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the reform of the planning system (published in March 2010) stemming from primary legislation, the 2011 Act. This Act sets out the process for the preparation of the SCI. This equality screening exercise for the SCI draws upon conclusions reached in the EQIA undertaken during consultation on reform. The (former) DOE considered that the regulations would not disproportionately affect any section 75 group. There was no evidence of any impact in terms of equality of opportunity or good relations, as the aim is to improve the planning process to the benefit of all users including Section 75 groups.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have an Equality Scheme which contains responsibilities to consult under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Council’s Equality Officer has been informed of this Equality Impact Screening.

The SCI will be applied uniformly across all Section 75 categories without prejudice and as such will not positivity or negatively impact any Section 75 group. It is expected to equally benefit all Section 75 categories.

The Council published for comment its initial SCI. No comments were received.

Men and Women Generally

Gender: (Mid Year 2019 Population Estimates)*

	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Male	71,497 (49.4%)	932,717 (49.2%)
Female	71,742 (49.5%)	960,950 (50.8%)
Total	144,838	1,893,667

Dependants

The Census information in 2011 showed:

People With or Without Dependents:

Census 2011	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Number of households	54,970	721,860
Households with dependent children	15,597 (28.37%)	261,251 (36.19%)

Disability

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):

Census 2011	Ballymoney BC	Coleraine BC	Limavady BC	Moyle DC
People with a long term condition/illness	30.6%	31.31%	31.05%	31.68%
People Without	69.4%	68.69%	68.95%	68.32%

____

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long Term Condition:

Mobility or dexterity	19%
Long term pain or discomfort	17%
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing	14%
A chronic illness	11%
Deafness or partial hearing loss	9%
An emotional, psychological or mental health condition	9%
Other condition	9%
A learning, intellectual or social behaviour difficulty	3%
Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss	3%
Blindness or partial sight	3%
Communication difficulty	3%

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 SCI will be applied uniformly across all Section 75 categories without prejudice and as such will not positivity or negatively impact any Section 75 group. It is expected to equally benefit all Section 75 categories.

The document can be made available, on request, in an alternative format, including large print, PDF, Word, CD/DVD and audio/signed CD format, DAISY or Braille. Alternatively, users may use Sign Video to call and speak to a Council Officer through an interpreter (free of charge).

The Council published for comment its initial SCI. No comments were received.

Screening Questions
1. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Section 75 Category		Positive impact	Neutral	Negative impact	Reason
Gender	Women	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
	Men	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Transgender men/women	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Other please specify	☐	☐	Major ☐ Minor ☐
Race (As used in the 2011 census)	Asian	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
	Black	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Chinese	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Mixed race White	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Other please specify	☐	☐	Major ☐ Minor ☐
Disability	Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Sexual orientation	Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Age	Older People	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Age	Younger people and children	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Political Opinion		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Religious Belief		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Marital Status		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.
Dependants		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The policy and procedures will apply equally to all users.

Screening Questions 2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories?

Section 75 Category		If Yes, provide details	If No, provide details
Gender	Women		This will have equality of opportunity for all gender as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
	Men
	Transgender men/women
	Other please specify
Race As used in the 2011 census.	Asian		This will have equality of opportunity for all race as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
	Black
	Chinese
	Mixed race White
	Other please specify
Disability	Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.		This will have equality of opportunity for all with or without a disability as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Sexual orientation	Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others		This will have equality of opportunity for all irrespective of sexual orientation as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Age	Older People, Younger people and children		This will have equality of opportunity for all ages as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Political Opinion			This will have equality of opportunity for all irrespective of political opinion as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Religious Belief			This will have equality of opportunity for all irrespective of religious belief as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Marital Status			This will have equality of opportunity for all irrespective of marital status as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.
Dependants			This will have equality of opportunity for all irrespective of whether they have dependents or not as there are opportunities for them to participate in the process or have others participate on their behalf.

Screening Questions
3. To what extent is the policy likely to impact on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category	Details of policy impact	Level of impact major/minor/none
Religious Belief		This does not distinguish between people of different religious beliefs.
Political Opinion		This does not distinguish between people of different political opinion.
Racial Group		This does not distinguish between people of different racial groups.

Screening Questions
4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category	If Yes, provide details	If No, provide details
Religious Belief		This does not distinguish between people of different religious beliefs
Political Opinion		This does not distinguish between people of different political opinion
Racial Group		This does not distinguish between people of different racial groups.


Additional Considerations
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 SPPS states that the SCI is a key tool in increasing awareness of the scope for community participation and involvement in the planning process. The SCI offers opportunities, through enhanced community involvement, by all those affected by the Council’s planning function. Therefore, there are no potential impacts on people with multiple identities.

Provide details of data on the impact of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities. Specify the relevant Section 75 categories concerned.
N/A

Disability Considerations Is there an opportunity to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? ☐ Yes ☒ No

If yes, please give further information and examples:

Is there an opportunity to encourage participation by disabled people in public life by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? ☐ Yes ☒ No

Please give further information and examples: The SCI can be made available, on request, in an alternative format, including large print, PDF, Word, CD/DVD and audio/signed CD format, DAISY or Braille. Alternatively, users can use Sign Video to call and speak to a Council Officer through an interpreter (free of charge).

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: -- 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: --
If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this: There is no need to mitigate the overall policy or to seek an alternative as no adverse impact is anticipated. These policy proposals derive from the 2011 Planning Act and the SPPS which has been subject to public consultation, equality assessment and scrutiny through the NI Assembly process.

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

Timetabling And Prioritising
If the policy/decision has been ‘screened in’ for equality impact assessment, then please answer the following questions to determine its priority for timetabling the equality impact assessment. On a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest priority and 3 the highest, assess the policy in terms of its priority for equality impact assessment.
Priority Criterion	Rating (1 to 3)
Effect on equality of opportunity and good relations	N/A
Social Need	N/A
Effect on people’s daily lives	N/A
Relevance to the Council’s functions	N/A

Monitoring
Please outline proposals for future monitoring of the policy/decision: The SCI must be regularly reviewed as required under the Planning (Statement of Community Involvement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, which sets out the process by which the SCI will be produced. No dates are specified as there may be a number of scenarios prompting a review of the SCI (e.g., in the case of new or updated legislation and/or guidance from central government).


Approval And Authorisation
Screened By Position/Job Title Date	Date
Principal Planning Officer	9th February 2021

Approved By Position/Job Title Date
Head of Planning	9th February 2021