Rescinding decision to introduce parking charges to Ballycastle seafront carparks

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

 

General Information: Policy/ Procedure
 

This is a new policy and procedure.
 

Operational Area: Infrastructure, Environmental Services
 

Title: Rescinding the decision to introduce charges to:

• Sea Front car park – Ballycastle

• Harbour car park – Ballycastle

• Ferry Terminal car park – Ballycastle

Which are currently free.

Brief Summary:

As part of a revenue raising initiative elected members previously voted to introduce seasonal charging (1st April – 30th September) in a number of free car parks which are as follows:

• Sea Front car park – Ballycastle
• Harbour car park – Ballycastle
• Ferry Terminal car park – Ballycastle
• West Strand car park – Portrush

On the 26th of March 2024 elected members voted:
“Under Standing Order 23, we the undersigned propose, that this Council rescinds the decision to introduce car parking charges in Ballycastle as agreed on 8th February 2024. These were due to come into force on April 1st however, despite previous assurances, adequate provisions have not been put in place for the Residents of the seafront, businesses, boat owners and Rathlin Island visitors and residents. That car parking charges do not take effect on Ballycastle seafront until council officers bring proposals that adequately address these issues and can be and agreed by this council.”

 

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

To achieve adequate mitigation for those impacted in Ballycastle by the introduction of new charges.

 

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 Scheme.
• Equality Action Plan.
• Councils Corporate Strategy.
• Councils Community Plan.
• Councils Good Relation Strategy.
• Destination Management Strategy.

Legislation:
• Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Section 75).
• Local Government Reform Act 2014.
 

 

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. 

There have been concerns raised with Elected Members about the charging impacts on individuals based on the charges in Ballycastle.
Prior to this there had been no complaints raised in relation to car parking charges within the Borough.

Results from the latest Citizens Survey shows opinions on car parking charges are mixed with some welcoming charges and the reasons for them, whilst others feel that car parking charges should be removed across the entire Borough.

A benchmarking exercise to determine car parking charges with other N.I. Councils was carried out in July 2024 (reviewed in September 2024 for accuracy). Fees ranged from 20p per hour to £1.20p per hour. 

Council                                                  Hourly Tariff
Antrim & Newtownabbey                           20p
Ards & North Down                                    30p – 50p
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon               30p – 40p
Belfast City                                                 20p - £1.20
Derry City & Strabane                                50p – 80p
Fermanagh & Omagh                                 20p – 50p
Lisburn & Castlereagh                               40p – 50p
Mid & East Antrim                                      60p or £2.50 all day special workers rate.
Mid Ulster                                                   40p or £1.00 for 3 hours.
Newry Mourne & Down                              50p
Causeway Coast & Glens                          50p - £1.00

A BBC report in August 2024 had the headline of, “Low parking fees in N.I. Councils laughable.”  This referred to the 20p charge in Belfast and Antrim and Newtownabbey Councils.

A further comparison is the Off-Street parking where in Belfast controlled parking zones have doubled in the last nine years from 80p per hour to £1.60p per hour.

Groups affected by the proposed charges in Ballycastle and Portrush and groups currently affected by current charges both internal and external:

External.
• Residents of North Street Ballycastle.
• Residents across the CC&GBC area.
• Local business owners and their staff in the CC&GBC area.
• Boat owners in Ballycastle.
• Residents of Rathlin Island.
• Visitors to CC&GBC area.

Internal.
• Staff and visitors in Riada House Council Offices.
(Visitors to Riada House are not monitored in terms of any section 75 category).
 

A proposal was brought to Council to introduce seasonal car parking charges in several car parks in Ballycastle at the seafront and also West Strand car park in Portrush on 8th February 2024.
Resolved – That Council introduce seasonal car parking charges at Ballycastle Seafront and Westbay from April to September, to be reviewed after one year.
 

This decision was subsequently rescinded at a Council meeting on 26th March 2024.
“Under Standing Order 23, we the undersigned propose, that this Council rescinds the decision to introduce car parking charges in Ballycastle as agreed on 8th February 2024. These were due to come into force on April 1st however, despite previous assurances, adequate provisions have not been put in place for the Residents of the seafront, businesses, boat owners and Rathlin Island visitors and residents. That car parking charges do not take effect on Ballycastle seafront until council officers bring proposals that adequately address these issues and can be and agreed by this council.”

 

Charging already takes place across the Borough in the following areas:

Car Park                                         Location

Ann Street                                       Ballycastle
Church Street                                  Ballymoney
Townhead Street North & South     Ballymoney
Castle Street                                   Ballymoney
Connell Street                                 Limavady
Central                                            Limavady
The Mall                                          Coleraine
Abbey Street                                   Coleraine
Long Commons                              Coleraine
Railway Place                                 Coleraine
Railway Road                                 Coleraine
Dunluce Avenue                              Portrush
East Strand                                     Portrush
Harbour Road                                 Portrush

 

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.
• Council does not hold information on car park users under the Section 75 headings.

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%

 

District Electoral                    Catholic      Protestant and            Other religions         No religion/
Area 2014 Label                                       Other Christian                                           religion not stated
                                                                 (including Christian
                                                                 related) 

Ballymoney                          7,159              13,170                          157                         4,033
Bann                                    5,815                9,005                          105                         2,610
Benbradagh                       12,254                4,048                            42                         1,474
Causeway                            4,258              14,636                          248                         5,400
Coleraine                              5,128              12,674                         270                          5,553
Limavady                              7,313                6,740                           68                          2,109
The Glens                           11,374                3,964                           71                          2,068

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2021 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 (7.94%) 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.

Due to the religious make-up of the Borough as outlined in the tables above there may potentially be negative impacts related to religion based on the demographics and placements of charged car parks throughout the Borough. This may be exacerbated by the Council decision to rescind the decision to introduce car parking charges in Ballycastle (The Glens).

There have been concerns raised with Elected Members about the charging impacts on individuals based on the charges in Ballycastle. However, there has been no opportunity for the rest of the Borough to comment on the decision to rescind the charges while they still pay for parking in their local area. The consultation will hopefully provide the opportunity for all residents to have their say.

Staff breakdown by Religious Belief / Community Background                   (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Religious Belief /
Community Background                      Gender                  Number of Staff 

Roman Catholic                                   Male                      119 (19.67%)
                                                            Female                  126 (20.82%) 
Protestant                                            Male                      199 (32.89%)
                                                            Female                  128 (21.16%)
Non-Determined                                  Male                        17 (2.81%)
                                                            Female                    16 (2.65%)
Total                                                                                   605

Staff who work in Ballymoney are also impacted by charges in car parks as the free parking at the office building is not adequate to support the numbers of staff.

Individuals may have personal factors or economic reasons why these charges may detrimentally impact, which may or may not relate to equality factors. 

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.

 

 

Political Opinion

At the last local elections (2023) in Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor seats were deemed as follows:

                                                                         Councillors total 
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)                              13
Sinn Féin                                                                    12
Alliance Party                                                               5
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)                                         4
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)              3
Traditional Unionist Voice                                            2
Other                                                                           1



Voting by District       Alliance  Democratic   Progressive        Sinn Féin     Social Democratic      Traditional Unionist    Ulster 
Electoral Area                          Unionist        Unionist Party                          & Labour                   Voice                          Unionist
                                                                      of NI

Ballymoney                   1           2                                                 2                                                       1                             1
Bann                                          2                                                 2                                                                                      1
Benbradagh                              1                                                  3                      1
Causeway                     2          3                                                                                                           1                             1
Coleraine                      1           2                     1                           1                                                                                      1
Limavady                      1           2                                                  1                     1
The Glens                                  1                                                  3                     1

In Northern Ireland religion, political opinion and national identity tend to be interlinked and therefore what impacts one of these Section 75 categories can also have a similar impact on the others.

The majority of charged car parks are based in DEA areas with a unionist majority as per the above table, i.e.
• Ballymoney - 3 charged car parks
• Causeway -   3 charged car parks.
• Coleraine –    5 charged car parks.

The other charged car parks are in Limavady which has 2 unionist and 2 nationalist elected representatives and in The Glens which has 4 nationalist, and 1 unionist elected representatives.
• Limavady –   2 charged car parks.
• The Glens –  1 charged car park.

The council currently has no data specific to its workforce regarding this Section 75 category.

Based on the above information there may be potential for a disproportionate adverse impact in regard to political opinion.

 

 

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.

As a result, the survey should be offered in alternative languages to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their say and be able to understand the rescinding motion and its impact on them.

There is no data at District Electoral level to identify if the proposal will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Individuals may have personal factors or economic reasons why these charges may detrimentally impact, which may or may not relate to equality factors. 

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%

 

Staff breakdown by Racial Group / Ethnic Origin      (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Racial Group / Ethnic Origin                       Number of Staff
Mixed Ethnic Group                                         1 (0.16%)
Other                                                                2 (0.33%)
White / White European                              546 (90.25%)
Unknown                                                       56 (9.26%)
Total                                                            605

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.

 

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
 

 

District Electoral Area 2014             Aged 17+
Ballymoney                                       19,212
Bann                                                 13,687
Benbradagh                                      13,531
Causeway                                         20,268
Coleraine                                          18,928
Limavady                                          12,988
The Glens                                         13,794

Based on the table above the number of charged car parks is disproportionate across the Borough, for example Coleraine have 5 charged car parks where as Bann and Benbradagh both have zero. This may create an inequality based on age.

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

Some staff currently pay for car parks in Ballymoney due to the lack of free parking at the Council building.

Individuals may have personal factors or economic reasons why these charges may detrimentally impact, which may or may not relate to equality factors. 

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.

 

Marital Status

Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2021):

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

 

District Electoral Area 2014           Single - never          Married or in a     Separated -but          Divorced or formerly     Widowed or 
                                                      married or never      civil partnership    still legally married    in a civil partnership      surviving  
                                                      registered a civil                                   or still legally in a       which is now legally      partner from a 
                                                      partnership                                           civil partnership          dissolved                      civil
                                                                                                                                                                                           partnership.
Ballymoney                                       6,673                         9,641                     643                         1,241                          1,341
Bann                                                 4,405                         7,563                     420                            666                              884
Benbradagh                                      5,120                         6,853                     485                            616                              694
Causeway                                         7,187                         9,774                     599                         1,418                           1,549
Coleraine                                          7,469                          8,080                     712                         1,627                           1,315
Limavady                                          4,895                          5,862                     509                            930                              972
The Glens                                         4,974                          6,958                     427                            760                              899

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%. 

Staff breakdown by Marital Status                           (Figures as at 21 October 2022)

Marital Status                                 Number of staff
Unknown                                          60 (9.92%)
Married \ Civil Partnership              336 (55.54%)
Divorced                                           12 (1.98%)
Other                                                19 (3.14%)
Separated                                       12 (1.98%)
Single                                            164 (27.11%)
Widowed                                           2 (0.33%)
Total                                               605

*2011 Married – This includes people who were remarried; those who are separated but still legally married; and those in a same-sex civil partnership.
**2011 Widowed includes surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership.

Individuals may have personal factors or economic reasons why these charges may detrimentally impact, which may or may not relate to equality factors. 

There is no evidence to indicate the proposal with either have a positive or negative impact on this section 75 grouping.

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.

 

 

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



District Electoral               Straight or           Gay, lesbian,               Prefer not to 
Area 2014 Label              heterosexual       bisexual, other             say/Not stated.
                                                                    sexual orientation
                                        
Ballymoney                        17,925                    217                          1,396
Bann                                  12,929                    131                             878
Benbradagh                       12,674                    171                             923
Causeway                          18,595                    401                          1,531
Coleraine                            17,293                   386                           1,525
Limavady                            11,906                   170                           1,092
The Glens                           12,882                   160                             973

The council currently has no data specific to its workforce regarding this category.

There is no evidence to indicate that the proposal will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.
 

 

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%)


Staff breakdown by Gender                     (Figures as at 21 October 2022)
Gender                                   Number of staff
Male                                         335 (55.38%)
Female                                     270 (44.62%)
Total                                         605


District Electoral
Area 2014 Label                      Male               Female
Ballymoney                             11,993             12,526
Bann                                         8,678               8,857
Benbradagh                              8,944               8,874
Causeway                               11,961             12,581
Coleraine                                11,374              12,251
Limavady                                  8,121                8,109
The Glens                                 8,777                8,700

As reflected in the above table there is no evidence to indicate that the proposal will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

A consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts.