S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form
| General Information |
| Service/ Function ☒ | Policy/ Procedure ☐ | Project ☐ | Strategy ☐ | Plan ☐ | Guidance ☐ |
| Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Existing ☒ Revised ☐ New ☐ |
| Operational Area | Operations |
| Title | Material Acceptance at Household Recycling Centre Network. |
| Brief Summary Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres accept a range of waste materials that it is not always possible or practical to dispose of in kerbside bins. |
| What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes) A list of materials has been identified that are suitable to be deposited at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres. The list aids the harmonisation of service delivery at the various sites. |
| Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Head of Operations. Implementation of on-site changes lead by Area Managers, assisted by Operations Supervisors. Administrative help, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders, provided by Operations Technical section. |
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Strategies:
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| 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:
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| Section 75 Category | Details of Evidence/Information
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| Religious Beliefs | 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 list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not adversely impact anyone with or without a religious background. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Opinion | 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) *:
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not relate to any political opinion and therefore there is no adverse impact. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Racial Group | On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres may impact on some racial groups where English is not the first language, however, this is mitigated by the translation function on the council website which allows translation of information into 40+ languages. Signage showing acceptable materials is present at all household recycling centres. Text on signage is supported with iconography. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age | Age: (Mid Year 2020)* (NISRA statistics)
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not adversely impact different age groups. Recycling telephone helpline available for advice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marital Status | Marital Status:
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not adversely impact anyone according to their marital status. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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.
In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men and Women Generally | Gender: (Mid Year 2020 Population Estimates)*
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not adversely impact men or women generally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dependants | The Census information in 2011 showed:
The list of materials acceptable at Council’s network of Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) does not adversely impact anyone with or without dependants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability | People with a Disability/People Without:
____
1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood. As a result of this information, the list of acceptable HRC materials may have a minor impact on individuals with a disability. Council’s Disability Action Plan promotes equality for disabled people. Residents visiting a Household Recycling Centre can receive assistance from a member of staff to enable the correct recycling and disposal of waste. Council website is compatible with screen reader software. All civic offices have Sign Video available. Adults with a disability can be accompanied by another adult to assist with the unloading of waste from vehicle. Bulky household waste collection service also available. Recycling telephone helpline available for advice. |
| 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 ☐ | Impact is neutral, service provision provided equally regardless of gender. |
| Men | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | ||
| Transgender men/women | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | ||
| Other please specify | ☐ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | ||
| Race (As used in the 2011 census) | Asian | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Impact is neutral. Plain English used for communication, signage erected at HRC, information available on council website in multiple languages. Recycling telephone helpline allows resident to talk to a member of staff for advice. |
| 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 ☒ | Impact is minor. Telephone recycling helpline number allows resident to talk to a member of staff for advice. Council website is screen reader software compatible. All civic offices have Sign Video available. Iconography used on HRC materials signage. Bulky household waste collection service available. |
| Sexual orientation | Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Service provision provided equally regardless of sexual orientation. |
| Age | Older People | ☐ | ☐ | Major ☐ Minor ☒ | Impact is minor for older residents. Mitigation has been included such as: Telephone recycling helpline number allows resident to talk to a member of staff for advice. Information on council website. Bulky household waste collection service available. |
| Younger people and children | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | ||
| Political Opinion | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Impact is neutral as service provision is provided equally regardless of political opinion. | |
| Religious Belief | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Impact is neutral as service provision is provided equally regardless of religious belief. | |
| Marital Status | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Impact is neutral as service provision is provided equally regardless of marital status. | |
| Dependants | ☐ | ☒ | Major ☐ Minor ☐ | Impact is neutral as service provision is provided equally regardless of dependants. Normal service to be resumed as soon as practically possible. Bulky household waste collection service available. | |
| 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 | No. | ||
| Men | ||||
| Transgender men/women | ||||
| Other please specify | ||||
| Race As used in the 2011 census. | Asian | Yes. Contact relevant community groups to advise of any changes. The policy itself will not better promote equality. | ||
| Black | ||||
| Chinese | ||||
| Mixed race White | ||||
| Other please specify | ||||
| Disability | Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. | Yes. Site control enables greater accessibility to recycling and waste receptacles. Staff can give assistance provided social distancing rules are adhered to. The policy itself will not better promote equality. | ||
| Sexual orientation | Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others | No. | ||
| Age | Older People, Younger people and children | Yes. Contact relevant community groups to advise of any changes. The policy itself will not better promote equality. | ||
| Political Opinion | No. | |||
| Religious Belief | No. | |||
| Marital Status | No. | |||
| Dependants | No. | |||
| 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 | None | |
| Political Opinion | None | |
| Racial Group | Those who do not speak English as their first language can access translation services on council website. Iconography provided on site signage. | Minor. |
| 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 | No. | |
| Political Opinion | No. | |
| Racial Group | No. |
| 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.) People with different identities may be subject to a minor disadvantage which should be mitigated by measures in place such as communication material in various formats. Older individuals with dependants who are restricted to home can avail of bulky household waste collection service. Council website is screen reader software compatible. All civic offices have Sign Video. List of acceptable materials at household recycling centres can be found on council website. | |
| 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. | |
Older individuals with a disability – communication in various forms, additional support. Older individuals with dependants who are restricted to the home can avail of bulky household waste collection service. | |
| 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: Bulky household waste collection service in operation. | |
| 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: N/A |
Screening Decision
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If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this: | |
| 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: List of materials accepted at HRCs to be reviewed annually. | |
| Approval And Authorisation | |
| Screened By Position/Job Title Date | Date |
| Operations Technical Manager | 28/10/2021 |
| Approved By Position/Job Title Date | |
| Head of Operations | 20/12/2021 |
*Sources:
Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT), Queen’s University Belfast and the Ulster University NI Life and Times Survey - 2020 : ORIENT2 (ark.ac.uk)
https://www.ark.ac.uk/election...;
Northern Ireland Statistics website: www.nisra.gov.uk
2019 Mid Year Population Estimates for Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk)
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