Street Trading Policy - Equality Screening
S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form
General Information: Policy/ Procedure.
This is a revised policy and procedure.
Operational Area: Environmental Services.
Title: Street Trading Policy.
Brief Summary:
The policy details how Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will regulate street trading activities within the Borough and how enforcement of these provisions will be proportionate and fair.
This policy is written for Officers within Council, Elected Members, the public and any business representatives who enquire about our policy and procedures. It applies to all contacts, whether formal or informal, between businesses, individuals and Council Officers.
This policy allows Council to follow specific requirements under the Street Trading (Northern Ireland) Act 2001 and guidance provided in “Guide to The Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001” published by the Department of Social Development.
What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
This policy will detail how Council will process applications for street trading licences and how Council will deal with any relevant offences under this Act.
This policy will provide transparency and openness in how we enforce this legislation and provide consistency of approach.
All decisions taken by Council in relation to this Act will have reference to this policy.
Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
The Head of Health & Built Environment/Environmental Health Manager/Licensing Team/Elected Members.
Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Strategies:
• This work will contribute to the Council Strategic theme of protecting and enhancing our environments.
• This work will contribute to achieving the aims of the Environmental Health Business plan to reduce incidents of littering.
This policy is written with reference to –
· Street Trading Northern Ireland) Act 2001.
· Street Trading (Fixed Penalty) (Notice and Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
· Guide to the Street Trading Act 2001 (Published by Department of Communities 2019).
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.
The Environmental Health Department Licensing Team is responsible for the processing, issuing and enforcement of street trading licences under the Street Trading (Northern Ireland) Act 2001. This includes all annual street trading licences, temporary street trading licences for events and mobile street trading licences.
It is proposed that all Section 75 categories will be considered via:
• Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011, the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2018.
Section 75 Category Details of Evidence/Information:
• Mid-year 2018 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144, 246, accounting for 7.7 % of the N.I. total. Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed.
Religious Beliefs
The 2011 Census outlined:
Religion / religion brought up in:
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%
The Census information would show 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 with a smaller number of individuals (5.64%) who do not practice a specific religion or who do not wish to be grouped into a specific religion or who practice other religions.
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to their religious belief.
Political Opinion
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) 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 15
Sinn Féin 11
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) 8
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 10
Alliance Party 10
Other Party 5
None of these 24
Other answer 6
Don't know 11
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to their political beliefs.
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
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to racial origins. If anyone affected by any actions taken under this policy has difficulty in understanding the English language then translations of any correspondence will be provided in their preferred language.
Age
(Mid Year 2018) (NISRA statistics)
CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Under 16 30,140 (21%) 415,865 (22%)
17-44 48,788 (34%) 673,073 (36%)
45-64 39,216 (27%) 484,506 (26%)
65 and over 26,102 (18%) 308,197 (16%)
TOTAL Population 144,246 1,881,641
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to their age. If anyone who has difficulty understanding any correspondence or actions taken due to their age then efforts will be made to amend such correspondence to ensure everyone is fully aware of the meanings of same. No enforcement action will be taken against anyone under the age of 16.
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%
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to 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.
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2018) 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) 1
I am heterosexual or ‘straight’ 94
I am bi-sexual 1
Other 1
I do not wish to answer 3
In addition the NI Rainbow Project estimates between 6-10% of any given population could be considered as LGBT.
This policy and any actions taken in accordance with it will not adversely impact any individuals due to their sexual orientation.
Men and Women Generally
Gender: (Mid Year 2018 Population Estimates)
CC&G Borough Council Northern Ireland
Male 71,497 (49.6%) 926,200 (49.2%)
Female 72,749 (50.4%) 955,441 (50.8%)
The policy or any actions taken under the policy will have no impact on any individual in terms of their gender.
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%)
This policy or any actions taken under it will not impact adversely any individual with dependants.
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%
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.
Officers can use the SignVideo App to support communication with individuals who are deaf.
No enforcement action will be taken against anyone with provable significant mental health conditions where it is considered that enforcement is not in the public interest.
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 or Negative impact (it could disadvantage).
Gender
Women, Men, Transgender men/women, Other: Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
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 impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
Disability Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Minor Negative impact on this section. Enforcement actions if not considered correctly may impact adversely individuals who have significant mental health conditions.
Sexual orientation Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
Age Older People, minor negative impact on this section. Younger people and children, neutral impact on this section. Older persons may have trouble hearing or understanding communications.
Political Opinion
Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
Religious Belief
Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
Martial Status
Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
Dependants
Neutral impact on this section. Neutral impact as noted above.
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. As the policy is gender neutral there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
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).
Yes. The translation of information, either in a written or electronic form will support equality of opportunity and publication of such will demonstrate equality considerations in all aspects of Council services.
Disability Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
No. No further opportunity identified
Sexual orientation Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others.
No. As the policy treats all sexual orientations the same there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
Age Older People, Younger people and children.
No. No further opportunities identified.
Political Opinion.
No. As the policy treats everyone the same regardless of political opinion, there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
Religious Belief.
No. As the policy treats everyone the same regardless of religious belief, there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
Marital Status.
No. As the policy treats everyone the same regardless of marital status, there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
Dependants.
No. As the policy treats those with and without dependants the same, there is no further opportunity to promote equality.
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: No likely impact.
Section 75 Category: Political Opinion.
Level of impact: No likely impact.
Section 75 Category: Racial Group.
Level of impact: No likely impact.
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, This is an operational policy for the enforcement of regulations with no relevant opportunities.
Political Opinion: No, This is an operational policy for the enforcement of regulations with no relevant opportunities
Racial Group: No, This is an operational policy for the enforcement of regulations with no relevant opportunities.
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.)
There are no additional considerations for 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.
There is no evidence to indicate adverse impacts due to multiple identities.
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?
No.
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: 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:
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:
N/A.
If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:
The screening process shows no significant reason for an assessment.
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?
--
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 policy will be reviewed annually to determine its efficacy and whether amendments are required.
Approval And Authorisation
Screened By: Environmental Health Manager 29.08.24.
Approved By: Head of Health & Built Environment 30.08.24.