Draft Disability Action Plan 2024-2028, Rural Needs 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 Disability Action Plan outlines our commitment to improving access, removing barriers to support inclusion, and promoting positive attitudes toward individuals with disabilities in all areas of life.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing, adopting, implementing and delivering a Public Service.
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.
Draft Disability Action Plan.
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The action plan addresses the need for council to create a corporate approach to promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people and guides activities and policy to support this. The proposed actions aim to mitigate or remove barriers identified to ultimately improve both service provision and quality of life for our local communities and visitors. It will also support council to fulfil the duties set out in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) and Section 49A and 49B of the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
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).and other definition
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 audit of inequalities and relating disability action plan will impact on individuals from both rural and urban areas who are colleagues, visitors, or customers to the Council buildings,
The actions will support the redress of inequalities in both rural and urban areas. The viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.
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 on-line consultation may not support individuals in rural areas with poorer broadband. The option to provide comments in writing or by telephone may better support individuals, however these may incur a further cost.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Improvements for disabled individuals in rural areas.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A
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?
Yes 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.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders, Published Statistics, Research Papers, Surveys or Questionnaires and Other Publications.
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.
The social and economic needs of people in rural areas have been identified using published statistics from the Northern Ireland Census and the most recent Life and Times Survey. In addition, the needs identified in Council strategies, published research from a variety of sources such as the equality commission, disability action etc, area specific surveys and commissioned audits were taken into account. Impacts will be further supported through consultation with the local community, representative groups, the local equality forum and regional disability representatives.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
Socially individuals from rural areas tend to travel longer distances to work, to socialize with friends/work colleagues. This may mean that services or consultation options should be provided at rural areas. The information pack for the Disability Action plan consultation will be available at all 4 civic centres, on-line or by post to the individual’s home. This pack will also contain a free-post envelope so that those in rural areas do not incur an additional cost to take part.
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?
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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.
Research by the Economic Development section for its strategy; highlighted that socially individuals in rural areas my feel more isolated, therefore individuals may socialize in their locality or with work colleagues in central locations which in turn may reduce this isolation. The impact of the proposed action plan is currently undetermined via direct consultation. However, the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.
Increased migration to rural areas the composition of residents may have changed since the 2021 census. This may be of particular relevance to the additional social function provided by many council services or facilities. Therefore, ways to mitigate any presently unidentified impacts should be identified.
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?
Yes. 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.
A consultation regarding the proposed disability actions and their impacts will support the inclusion of individuals in rural areas.
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.
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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: Policy Officer
Division/Branch Corporate Services, Policy and Community Planning Section
Date: 18 October.2024
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of Policy and Community Planning
Division/Branch Corporate Services, Policy and Community Planning Section
Date: 21 October 2024