Tariff Increase 2024

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S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

 


General Information:  Policy/ Procedure

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

Operational Area:  Infrastructure, Environmental Services

Title:  Increasing tariffs in some car parks across the Borough.

Brief Summary:

As part of a revenue raising initiative elected members have voted to increase tariffs in some car parks across the Borough, which are as follows;
• Ann Street car park – Ballycastle
• Castle Street car park – Ballymoney
• Townhead Street North car park Ballymoney
• Townhead Street South car park – Ballymoney
• Railway Place car park – Coleraine
• Railway Road car park – Coleraine
• Dunluce Avenue car park – Portrush
• East Strand private land car park - Portrush


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

Elected members voted to increase tariffs in those car parks across the Borough which were currently below a 50p per hour tariff.  This is a revenue raising opportunity for Council and will assist in off setting the local rate process.  This is in line with the CC&GBC car parking strategy 2017 – 2027.
 

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

Infrastructure team own and implement all elements of car parking.


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

Strategies:

• CC&GBC car parking strategy 2017 – 2027.
• Councils Equality Strategy

 

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 has been sourced via the NI Census in 2021 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2020.  


Section 75 Category
Details of Evidence/Information:

• The Census statistics in 2021 collated by NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 141,746 accounting for 7.45% of the N.I. total.     Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed. 

 



Religious Beliefs 

The 2021 Census outlined:

Religion / religion brought up in:    
Census 2021                                               CC&G Borough Council            Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic                                             40.12%                                      45.70%
Protestant & Other Christian
(including Christian related)                           51.17%                                     43.48%
Other Religions                                                0.78%                                       1.50%
None/Not stated                                               7.94%                                       9.32%

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.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.

 


Political Opinion

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2021) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at local government level) :

                                                                                            %
DUP/Democratic Unionist Party                                         12
Sinn Féin                                                                            13
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)                                               13
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)                     13
Alliance Party                                                                     19
Green Party                                                                         5
Other Party                                                                          4
None of these                                                                    11
Other answer                                                                      1
Don't know                                                                          9

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.



Racial Group

On Census Day 21 March 2021 the resident population was:  
Census 2021                           CC&G Borough Council             Northern Ireland
White                                             98.55%                                    96.55%
Irish Traveller                                   0.03%                                     0.14%
Roma                                               0.01%                                     0.08%
Indian                                               0.15%                                     0.52%
Chinese                                            0.22%                                     0.50%
Filipino                                              0.10%                                     0.23%
Pakistani                                           0.03%                                     0.08%
Arab                                                  0.03%                                     0.10%
Other Asian                                       0.10%                                     0.28%
Black African                                     0.12%                                     0.42%
Black Other                                       0.04%                                     0.16%
Mixed                                                0.51%                                     0.76%
Other ethnicities                                0.11%                                     0.19%
 

The 2021 Census detailed 98.55% of our population is white, with 1.45% from an ethnic background. The largest minority ethnic groups in Causeway Coast and Glens are the Chinese (0.22%), Indian (0.15%) and Filipino (0.10%). The proportion of ethnic groups from a non-white background has increased in Causeway Coast and Glens over the last 10 years by 0.95% slightly increasing the diversity in our population.
There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.
The changes will be publicised on the Councils website which supports translation into various languages for the 2% of our population noted below.

Main Language Census 2021     CC&G Borough Council
English                                                98%
Other languages                                   2%

 


Age

Age: (NISRA Census 2021 – Table MS-A02) 
                           CC&G Borough Council               Northern Ireland
0-4 years                        7,973 (5.62%)                  113,820 (5.98%)
5-9 years                        8,878 (6.26%)                  124,475 (6.54%)
10-14 years                     9,113 (6.43%)                  126,918 (6.67%)
15-19 years                     8,326 (5.87%)                  113,203 (5.95%)
20-24 years                     7,873 (5.55%)                  111,386 (5.85%)
25-29 years                     7,713 (5.44%)                  116,409 (6.12%)
30-34 years                     8,460 (5.97%)                  126,050 (6.62%)
35-39 years                     8,528 (6.02%)                  127,313 (6.69%)
40-44 years                     8,513 (6.01%)                  122,163 (6.42%)
45-49 years                     9,322 (6.58%)                  121,670 (6.39%)
50-54 years                   10,412 (7.35%)                  130,967 (6.88%)
55-59 years                   10,150 (7.16%)                  129,276 (6.79%)
60-64 years                     9,171 (6.47%)                  113,049 (5.94%)
65-69 years                     7,769 (5.48%)                    93,464 (4.91%)
70-74 years                     6,990 (4.93%)                    83,467 (4.39%)
75-79 years                     5,659 (3.99%)                    66,377 (3.49%)
80-84 years                     3,718 (2.62%)                    43,776 (2.30%)
85-89 years                     2,126 (1.50%)                    25,879 (1.36%)
90+ years                        1,051 (0.74%)                    13,512 (0.71%)
TOTAL Population           141,745                            1,903,174

Only those of 17 years of age plus will be impacted as licenced vehicle drivers.
Statistics in the table above highlight an ageing population.  

Staff breakdown by Age       (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Age Group                                             Number of staff
22-29                                                       21 (3.47%)
30-34                                                       28 (4.63%)
35-39                                                       64 (10.58%)
40-44                                                       71 (11.74%)
45-49                                                       99 (16.36%)
50-54                                                     115 (19.01%)
55-59                                                      92 (15.21%)
60-64                                                      88 (14.54%)
65-120                                                    27 (4.46%)
Total                                                               605

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.

 


Marital Status

On Census Day 21 March 2021 the martial status was: 

Marital and civil partnership status MS-A30:
Census 2021                                 CC&G Borough Council          Northern Ireland
Single (never married or never
registered a civil partnership)               40,720 (35.67%)               576,708 (38.07%)
Married                                                 54,576 (47.81%)               690,509 (45.59%)
In a civil partnership                                  155 (0.14%)                      2,742 (0.18%)
Separated (but still legally married
or still legally in a civil partnership)         3,795 (3.32%)                   57,272 (3.78%)
Divorced or formerly in a civil
partnership which is now legally
dissolved                                                 7,258 (6.36%)                    91,128 (6.02%)
Widowed or surviving partner from
a civil partnership                                    7,655 (6.71%)                    96,384 (6.36%)
All usual residents aged 16 and over       114,159                                1,514,743

Causeway Coast and Glens follows a similar pattern to that of Northern Ireland in that the highest percentage of residents are married (47.81% compared with the NI average of 45.59%).  The patterns are all higher than the NI average with the exception of Individuals in a civil partnership lens at 0.14% is slightly lower than the NI average of 0.18%.  
There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.

 


Sexual Orientation

The 2021 census for the first time included a question on sexual orientation.  

Sexual orientation  MS-C01: Census 2021         
                                              CC&G Borough Council           Northern Ireland
Straight or heterosexual            104,205 (91.28%)              1,363,859 (90.04%)
Gay or lesbian                                  906 (0.79%)                     17,713 (1.17%)
Bisexual                                            596 (0.52%)                     11,306 (0.75%)
Other sexual orientation                   135 (0.12%)                       2,597 (0.17%)
Prefer not to say                            4,502 (3.94%)                     69,307 (4.58%)
Not stated                                      3,816 (3.34%)                     49,961 (3.30%)
All usual residents aged 16
and over                                        114,160                                   1,514,743

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.

 


Men and Women Generally Gender:  

(Census 2021 – Table MS-A07)  
                             CC&G Borough Council          Northern Ireland
Male                        69,848 (49.28%)                   936,132 (49.19%)
Female                    71,898 (50.72%)                  967,043 (50.81%)

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.

 


Dependants

In Causeway Coast and Glens 28% of households include dependent children, compared with the NI average of 29.21%. 

Number of dependent children - households
MS-A24: Census 2021                                CC&G Borough Council                  Northern Ireland
All households                                                      57,577                                         768,809
No children in household                                      31,968 (55.52%)                          423,956 (55.14%)
No dependent children in household/
All children in household non-dependent                9,490 (16.48%)                         120,314 (15.65%)
One dependent child aged 0-4                                1,816 (3.15%)                             27,233 (3.54%)
One dependent child aged 5-11                              1,470 (2.55%)                             21,123 (2.75%)
One dependent child aged 12-18                            2,919 (5.07%)                             39,203 (5.10%)
Two dependent children:
youngest aged 0-4                                                 2,293 (3.98%)                               32,598 (4.24%)
youngest aged 5-11                                               2,635 (4.58%)                               36,534 (4.75%)
youngest aged 12-18                                             1,398 (2.43%)                               18,532 (2.41%)
Three or more dependent children:
youngest aged 0-4                                                 1,773 (3.08%)                                24,120 (3.14%)
youngest aged 5-11                                               1,562 (2.71%)                                21,677 (2.82%)
youngest aged 12-18                                                253 (0.44%)                                  3,519 (0.46%)

A comparison with the 2011 and 2021 census shows a decline in the number of households with dependents in the Borough.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.




Disability

The Census 2021 showed that 35.95% of our residents has a long-term health condition or illness which limits their daily activities or the work they can do, which is slightly higher than the NI average of 34.67%.

Number of long-term health conditions MS-D04:
Census 2021                                                CC&G Borough Council             Northern Ireland
All usual residents                                                 141,746                                   1,903,176
Does not have a long-term health condition            90,793 (64.05%)                   1,243,371 (65.33%)
1 long-term health condition                                    26,690 (18.83%)                       344,687 (18.11%)
2 long-term health conditions                                  12,121 (8.55%)                         151,512 (7.96%)
3 long-term health conditions                                    6,220 (4.39%)                           81,075 (4.26%)
4 long-term health conditions                                    3,440 (2.43%)                           46,166 (2.43%)
5 or more long-term health conditions                       2,482 (1.75%)                           36,365 (1.91%)

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have an increased negative impact on this Section 75 group when compared to the population as a whole.


Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long-term Condition
Deafness or partial hearing loss                                          8,914 (6.29%)
Blindness or partial sight                                                      2,560 (1.81%)
Mobility or dexterity that requires the use of a wheelchair    2,145 (1.51%)
Mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities              15,951 (11.25%)
Intellectual or learning disability                                            1,340 (0.95%)
Intellectual or learning difficulty                                            4,334 (3.06%)
Autism or Asperger syndrome                                              2,282 (1.61%)
An emotional, psychological or mental health condition     11,787 (8.32%)
Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss                    2,681 (1.89%)
Long term pain or discomfort                                           17,396 (12.27%)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing                       14,525 (10.25%)
Other condition                                                                  13,214 (9.32%)
Source: NISRA, Census 2021, tables MS-D03, MS-D04 through to MS-D16

All signage is provided in the appropriate font to support those with visual impairment.  Signage uses plain English and simple wording to support easy read and understanding.
 

 


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 (it could benefit)                              Neutral                                   Negative impact (it could disadvantage)                            

Gender
Women, Men, Transgender men/women, Other:  Neutral.  All genders will be impacted the same.  Gender is not a factor in increasing parking charges.

                    
Race    The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2011 census.  Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories.

Asian, ​Black, Chinese, Mixed race, Other:  Neutral.  Mitigation has been provided to notify those from different racial backgrounds about the increased charges.

     
Disability     Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.

Neutral. Mitigation has been provided to notify those individuals with a disability about the increased charges.
 

Sexual orientation     Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others 

Neutral. All individuals will be treated the same irrespective of their sexual orientation.


Age        Older People / Younger people and children  

Neutral. Mitigation has been provided to notify older and younger individuals about the increased charges.

          
Political Opinion

Neutral. All individuals will be treated the same irrespective of their political opinion.

 

Religious Belief   

Neutral. All individuals with various religious beliefs will be impacted the same. Religious belief is not a factor in increasing parking charges.  Although demographical statistics may show certain areas within our Borough may have a higher make up of one predominant religious belief over another.  However, the overall system will support equality.
 

Martial Status

Neutral. All individuals regardless of their marital status will be impacted the same. Marital status is not a factor in increasing  parking charges.

 

Dependants

Neutral. All individuals regardless to whether they have dependents or not will be impacted by the same increase of charges.

         
             


Screening Questions

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


Gender  (Women, Men, Transgender men/women , Other please specify)  

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.



Race  The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2011 census.  Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories. 
(Asian, Black, Chinese, Mixed race, White, Other please specify)

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.

 

Disability   Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.
 

Sexual orientation    Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.

 

Age    Older People, Younger people and children

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.

 

Political Opinion

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.
 

Religious Belief

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.

 

Marital Status

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.

 

Dependants

No the increase in parking tariffs does not support opportunities to promote equality of opportunity.
 


 

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:  Religious Belief
Level of impact:  The policy is unlikely to impact on good relations in relation to Religious Belief.  None

Section 75 Category:  Political Opinion
Level of impact:  The policy is unlikely to impact on good relations in relation to Political Opinion.  None

Section 75 Category:  Racial Group
Level of impact:  The policy is unlikely to impact on good relations in relation to Racial Groups.  None

 


Screening Questions

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

Religious Belief:    No. The process has no remit to impact on good relations.

Political Opinion:   No. The process has no remit to impact on good relations.

Racial Group:        No. The process has no remit to impact on good relations.

 

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.)

Measures have been put in place to support those with multiple identities, for example, older individuals were informed of the process through more traditional forms of advertisements, e.g., newspapers and notices in the car parks and younger individuals on Council website. Further investigation is currently being undertaking in respect of disabled minority ethic individuals to support them to have information provided in a suitable language at the appropriate height on the parking machines via a QR code.

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.

Measures have been put in place to support those with multiple identities, example, all genders and ages with dependents can use the cashless parking app or pay by phone method to pay for their parking without having to physically attend a parking machine. Further investigation is currently being undertaking in respect of disabled minority ethic individuals to support them to have information provided in a suitable language at the appropriate height on the parking machines via a QR code and BSL translation facility for members of the Deaf community. 

 

 

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.  Further investigation is currently being undertaking in respect of disabled minority ethic individuals to support them to have information provided in a suitable language at the appropriate height on the parking machines via a QR code and BSL translation facility for members of the Deaf community. 

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?

No

 

Screening Decision

Likely Impact: Minor

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: 
The Council is currently investigating further mitigation opportunities such as QR codes and translation facilities.

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

N/A



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

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

The Council is currently investigating further mitigation opportunities such as QR codes and translation facilities.


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 impact of the policy will be reviewed in one years’ time, and this will be presented to the elected members.  Any additional mitigation introduced will be piloted to ensure it has addressed the issue effectively.



Approval And Authorisation

Screened By:  Car Parks & Concessionary Trading Manager, 4 March 2024

Approved By: #