Staff car parking at Riada House, Ballymoney

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information

This is a new Policy/Procedure.

Operational Area: CC&GBC Infrastructure team.

Title: Staff car parking at Riada House, Ballymoney

Brief Summary

1.1 Car parking charges were introduced in Townhead Street, Ballymoney on 6th July 2020. This was the main overspill car park for Riada House staff to use within a short walking distance of the office.

1.2There are approx. 50 staff in the building each day.

1.3 Riada House Car Parking (Free) - There are 18no. car parking spaces within the grounds of Riada House. These include 2 disabled bays and 2 loading and off-loading bays. All spaces are filled by 8.30am each morning. Distance to nearest office entrance 20-50m.
Townhead St Car Park (Charged) - There are 220 car parking spaces in Townhead St. This car park has between 25-50% occupancy. It brings in a revenue of £43k at 30p/hr and expected to bring in £71.5k from April 2024 when prices increase to 50p/hr. Distance to nearest office entrance 100-235m.
Market St Car Park (Free) - There are 87 car parking spaces in Market St. This car park has between 40-75% occupancy. The majority of staff park in this car park. Distance to nearest office entrance 270-305m.
Market St (Free Roadside Parking) – There are approximately 25 car parking spaces on Market Street between Market Vans and the Fire Station. Some staff park along this section of road. Spaces are mostly taken by 9-9.30am. Distance to nearest office entrance 150-365m.

1.4 Following the introduction of the charges a number of complaints were received through NIPSA and GMB unions. The issues raised were in relation to:
1. Riada House being the only Council office not able to avail of free onsite car parking.
2. Distance to walk to the nearest free car park.
3. Off-loading and loading equipment.
4. Safety of Staff.

The infrastructure presented and options paper to Council. Following discussion Option One was accepted.
Option 1 – Current arrangements remain.
1. Park in the spaces around Riada House.
2. Park in the free car park on Market St (beside the fire station).
3. Park on the road on Market St.

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

This policy is part of an overall CC&GBC car parking strategy 2017-2027
Council Equality Strategy
This equality screening exercise aims to determine the equality issues inherent in the implementation of this policy (including) the options presented.

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

Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Infrastructure team (responsible for carparking).

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

CC&GBC car parking strategy 2017-2027.
Council 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.
• Complaints and comments forwarded by the Unions.

Section 75 Category

Details of Evidence/Information

This equality screening addresses the proposed option one for car parking, for staff working at Riada House, Ballymoney.
It is acknowledged that all Council offices across the CC&GBC Council area have access to car parking spaces. The Infrastructure Team presented a paper to Council indicating a variety of options. The purpose of this equality screening is to assess the adverse impact to any of the Section 75 categories following the decision to opt for Option One.

To ensure fairness across all council offices, staff working at Riada House and visiting staff must have access to accessible, appropriate and safe car parking. The Options paper presented to Council have addressed the issues with pros and cons highlighted. The Council has agreed Option One. Option One indicates that there are free car parking spaces including Riada House, Market St Car Park (Free) - There are 87 car parking spaces in Market St. This car park has between 40-75% occupancy. The majority of staff park in this car park. Distance to nearest office entrance 270-305m

Market St (Free Roadside Parking) – There are approximately 25 car parking spaces on Market Street between Market Vans and the Fire Station. Some staff park along this section of road. Spaces are mostly taken by 9-9.30am. Distance to nearest office entrance 150-365m.

If all staff have access to free, appropriate and accessible car parking (albeit in a combination of staff car parking, on street parking and a free car park) then this issue has been addressed and no further screening is required. The aim of this equality screening process further addresses the potential adverse impact of option one to the various section 75 groups. This screening exercise highlights the equality considerations for staff car parking and indicates some issues which the council may wish to consider when making a final decision.

• 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 district’s makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed.

• All other council staff have access to free car parking.
• Staff parking should be viewed in terms of ease of access for staff members to be able to move unhindered to and from their office location.
• Staff parking is an issue for disabled staff members who may require accessible parking spaces.
• Staff parking should be viewed in terms of safety for staff members to be able to move safely to and from their office location.
• Pregnant women and staff who have temporary mobility issues may require additional support in relation to car park at various times.
• Clear procedures in relation to staff car parking should be designed and presented to staff.
• It is important to note that this is a rural Borough and many staff will be travelling to and from work by car and therefore require car parking.
• In addition, due to the geographical location of offices across the Council area, staff will be travelling to and from different locations at regular intervals and also require car parking.
• Staff may be carrying equipment to work and will require drop off points close to the entrance to the building.

Religious Beliefs

The 2021 Census outlined:

Religion / religion brought up in:

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2021 Census indicates that our residents’ 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 an increasing 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.
There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure/way of operating/service provision will have a positive or negative impact on this Section 75 group.

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)3:

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

Racial Group

On Census Day 21 March 2021 the resident population was: 4

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.

Of the total population in Causeway Coast and Glens 3.45% of our residents were born outside the UK/Ireland as demonstrated in the table above this is an increase over the last 10 years of 0.56%.

Although our population is becoming more diverse 97.8% speak English as their main language. The other main languages spoken are Polish, Irish and Portuguese closely followed by Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese and Cantonese.

It is important to note that while other family members may be able to support translation, 1.30% or 750 households do not speak English as their main language and therefore would require translation services.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure/way of operating/service provision will have a positive or negative impact on this Section 75 group.

Age

Age: (NISRA Census 2021 – Table MS-A02)[1]

[1] Source : Northern Ireland Statistics website: www.nisra.gov.uk census-2021-ms-a02.xlsx (live.com)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.

[2] Source : Northern Ireland Statistics website: 2020-based interim population projections - statistical bulletin (nisra.gov.uk)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.

There is evidence to indicate that this policy may have an impact on this Section 75 group.

Marital Status

Marital Status:

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

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 which at 0.14% is slightly lower than the NI average of 0.18%.

Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland has been legal since 13 January 2020. (Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019)

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

Sexual orientation

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

The council currently has no data specific to its workforce.

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

Gender

Gender: (Census 2021 – Table MS-A07) [1]

[1] Source : Northern Ireland Statistics website: www.nisra.gov.uk census-2021-ms-a07.xlsx (live.com)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO.

There is evidence to indicate that this policy may have an impact on this Section 75 group.

Dependents

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

In Causeway Coast and Glens 9.61% of households comprise of a lone parent and a dependent child or children, compared with the NI average of 10.58%.

At the time of the Census, 12.32% of people stated that they provided unpaid care to family, friends, neighbours or others; this is slightly lower than the NI average of 12.42%.

There is evidence to indicate that this policy may have impact on this Section 75 group.

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%.

In our borough long-term pain or discomfort affects the most individuals, followed by mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities.

Source: NISRA, Census 2021, tables MS-D03, MS-D04 through to MS-D16

There is evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure/way of operating/service provision may have an impact on this Section 75 group.

Screening Questions (1)

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 Minor Negative impact
Men Minor Negative impact
Transgender men/women --
Other please specify --

Reason: Women may feel unsafe accessing the car parking facility especially in winter months
Pregnant women may find it challenging to use the car park at times and may be required to attend medical appointments which increase their time to travel to and from the workplace.
Men and Women may have temporary mobility issues / sickness issues and find the walk to the car park challenging.

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.

N/A

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

Minor Negative impact

Reason: Staff in this category may find the distance to the car parking a barrier. A review of the parking bay provision is required on an ongoing basis to ensure barriers are reduced.

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others

--

Age

Older People Minor Negative impact
Younger people and children --

Reason: Older people with mobility or temporary mobility issues may find the car parking challenging.

Political Opinion

N/A

Religious Belief

N/A

Martial Status

--

Dependants

Minor Negative impact

Reason: People with dependants may require temporary designated parking at Riada House to meet the needs of dependants.

Screening Questions (2)

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)

Yes. Monitor and survey staff on a regular basis to ensure staff feel safe in relation to car parking facilities especially in winter months.

Ensure all staff receive updated car parking procedures and guidance in a manner which is accessible to them.

New and expectant mothers may avail of a risk assessment concerning car parking locations and issues.

Men and Women who have temporary mobility issues may avail of car parking in Riada House on a temporary basis.

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)

--

Disability

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

Yes. The Council will endeavour to identify and promote appropriate car parking facilities as close to the office as possible.
All disabled staff will be notified of any changes or improvements.
Further assessment to consider increasing designated spaces in Riada House for Disabled Staff).

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others

--

Age

Older People, Younger people and children

Yes. Conduct regular feedback sessions to understand barriers and challenges faced by older people who have mobility issues or temporary mobility issues. Address temporary mobility issues for all staff.

Political Opinion

--

Religious Belief

--

Marital Status

--

Dependants

Yes. Survey staff with dependants and address barriers and challenges faced on a regular / temporary basis.

Screening Questions (3)

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: N/A.

Section 75 Category: Political Opinion
Level of impact: N/A.

Section 75 Category: Racial Group
Level of impact: N/A.

Screening Questions (4)

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

Religious Belief: N/A.

Political Opinion: N/A.

Racial Group: N/A.

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.)

--

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.

--

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.

Assess and review all Disabled Staff who travel to work by car to ensure all barriers and challenges are addressed.

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?

Yes.

Please give further information and examples:

Ensure dialogue and feedback on car parking issues with all Disabled Staff who travel to work by car.

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:
--

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:

• Assess and review all Disabled staff who travel to work by car to ensure all barriers and challenges regarding parking are addressed.
• Ensure designated spaces for Disabled staff are in place both within Riada House and the free carpark facility, and review this arrangement on an ongoing basis.
• Consider introducing flexible car parking arrangements at Riada House to address issues concerning pregnant women, staff with dependants or staff with mobility issues and temporary mobility issues.
• Ensure all car parking procedures are communicated to all staff and are reviewed on an ongoing basis
• Ensure car parking safety issues, especially in winter, are addressed
• Review all issues raised above and consider restructuring the car parking spaces in Riada House to meet issues.
• Review car parking facility over a two-year period.

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:

Regular review of staff car parking allocation to ensure compliance with Section 75 Equality duties.
Ongoing consultation with staff.
Adjustments made as necessary to address any emerging issues.

Approval And Authorisation

Screened By: Equality Consultant, 26 March 2025

Approved By: Director of Environmental Services, 4 April 2025