Fleet Safety Policy - Rural screening
Fleet Safety Policy Rural Needs Impact Assessment
SECTION 1 -
Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
The development and introduction of a Council-wide Fleet Safety Policy designed to provide guidance to all staff on their specific role with regard to the management and control of Fleet vehicles.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing a Policy
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Fleet Safety Policy
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
To ensure that all corporate vehicles are maintained, operated and driven in a legal and compliant fashion. To ensure that staff at all levels are aware of their responsibilities with regard to the safe and efficient operating of vehicles under their remit. To protect council’s ‘Operating Licence’ and therefore their ability to operate all vehicle-based services in-house.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).
Other Definition (Provide details and the rationale below).
A definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable.
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used. N/A
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’. N/A
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 -
Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes If the response is NO GO TO Section 2E.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
The policy and relating procedure will impact positively on citizens and staff from both rural and urban areas. As the policy details safety procedures for service provision on roads within the Council area which includes both rural and urban settings.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
The policy will not affect people differently as the same safety measures and precautions must be followed regardless of the location. Many of the requirements are detailed in legislation and therefore must be followed across all areas equally. Rural areas may have dissimilar hazards to urban areas such as the periodic increase of livestock movement on the public highway.
This may be horse-riders or animals alone or in herds. As a result drivers in these areas must be prepared for such hazards and be conscious of the most suitable ways to avoid accidents/incidents as a result. Such measures should also be documented within rural Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work so that Drivers and Crew-Members are aware of and make allowance for such circumstances.
Rural roads may also have more bends, tighter lanes and areas of restricted access. As such special consideration should be given to suitable vehicle selection for such routes. Drivers must also feel confident in maneuvering their vehicle within these restricted areas and must be competent to do so safely. This is where the policy and associated training is key, to both identify and overcome these risks.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Transport Services or Infrastructure in Rural Areas
Safe provision of services in rural areas
If the response to Section 2A was YES GO TO Section 3A.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
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SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
No If the response is NO GO TO Section 3E.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
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3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
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3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
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If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
The requirements for the running of a compliant and efficient Fleet and therefore operational services are the same regardless of the area it is operating in. The management of fleet safety is essential to provide vehicle based services across the entire Council borough. Services such as Refuse Collection, Street Cleansing and Grounds Maintenance will have been reviewed individually from operational perspectives with a focus on the rural impacts they may create.
SECTION 4 -
Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Bringing services to rural communities where people are more geographically dispersed requires a compliant and well-maintained fleet of vehicles. Failure to do so may result in disruption or reduction to the quality of service provided. Consequently this may have a greater economic cost for service users as people would have to drive further to avail of a comparable service. In addition, rural areas tend to have more small businesses for whom provision of services such as Refuse Collection on their doorstep is essential to the efficient and safe running of their business irrespective of its nature.
Social interaction through the provision of services may reduce isolation which was determined in the Economic Development Strategy. In rural areas reductions in harmful emissions will also have a positive impact on rural communities which often rely on farming (crops and animals) for their livelihood. The specification and procurement of Fleet Assets that meet or exceed legal emission levels is therefore essential to improve air-quality, sustainability and ultimately crop yield.
As a result, operational routes are periodically reviewed to ensure optimum utilization.
Drivers are also trained in ‘Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) as part of their Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) periodic training.
SECTION 5 -
Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
No If the response is NO GO TO Section 5C.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
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If the response to Section 5A was YES GO TO Section 6A.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The safety standards and operational requirements of the fleet are the same regardless of the area it is operating within. The complaint management and control of all Fleet related activity is essential to provide a sustained level of service across the board. Services such as Refuse Collection, Street Cleansing and Grounds Maintenance will have been reviewed individually from operational perspectives with a focus on the rural impacts they may create.
SECTION 6 -
Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Fleet Manager
Division/Branch Environmental Services
Date: 29 December 2021
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of Operations
Division/Branch Envrornmental Services
Date: 9 May 2022