Mark Ashton plaque inside Portrush Town Hall, Equality Screening

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information

This is a new project.

Operational Area: Civic Buildings.

Title: Mark Ashton plaque inside Portrush Town Hall.

Brief Summary

A Notice of Motion was brought forward to council and was subsequently agreed for Council to erect a memorial plaque to the late Mark Ashton, a former resident of the town of Portrush.

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

The memorial plaque will acknowledge Mark Ashton’s connection to the town of Portrush and to the Town Hall itself.

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

The family will fund the plaque and it will be fitted by the Council in a place that is mutually agreed by both parties.

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

Strategies:

• Council’s Memorial Policy.

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

This is a small seaside resort town with a population of 6,150 and the location of the memorial within the Town Hall has been considered to ensure no impact on equality and Good relations within the area.

Religious Beliefs

--

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:

Community consultation was carried out and included all sections of the community represented in Garvagh.

There is a desire for any wording to be sensitively used and the positioning of the memorial was also considered to ensure that no offence would be caused. Health and safety would not be compromised by the positioning of the memorial plaque.

Racial Group

On Census Day 21 March 2021 the resident population was:

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.

The proposed memorials will have no impact on any racial 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.


It can be seen from the 2 tables above, that in the 44 and under groupings our borough statistics have decreased and are lower than the Northern Ireland average. Whereas the number of individuals aged 45 years and upwards has increased and our percentages in these groupings are higher than the Northern Ireland Average.

This is a trend which is forecast to continue as identified in NISRA’s 2020-based Interim Population Projections for Northern Ireland, which states that "by mid-2027, the number of people aged 65 and over is projected to overtake the number of children" .

The proposed memorial plaque will have no negative impact on any 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 lens 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 The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any section 75 group.

Sexual orientation

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

The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any section 75 group.

Men and Women Generally

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

The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any 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%.

The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any 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

The Town Hall has a lift so the proposed memorial will plaque have no negative impact on any 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 Neutral impact.
Men Neutral impact.
Transgender men/women Neutral impact.
Other please specify Neutral impact.

Reason: The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any gender group

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: Neutral impact.
Black: Neutral impact.
Chinese: Neutral impact.
Mixed Race White: Neutral impact.

Reason: The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any racial group.

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

Neutral impact.

Reason: The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on anyone with a disability.

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others.

Neutral impact.

Reason: The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on sexual orientation.

Age

Older People Neutral impact.
Younger people and children Neutral impact.

Reason: The proposed memorial will have no negative impact on any specific age.

Political Opinion

Neutral impact.

Reason: -

Religious Belief

Neutral impact.

Reason: -

Martial Status

Neutral impact.

Reason: -

Dependants

Neutral impact.

Reason: -

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)

No specific relevance to project.

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 specific relevance to project.

Disability

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

No specific relevance to project.

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others

No specific relevance to project.

Age

Older People, Younger people and children

No specific relevance to project.

Political Opinion

No specific relevance to project.

Religious Belief

No specific relevance to project.

Marital Status

No specific relevance to project.

Dependants

No specific relevance to project.

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: None - The project potentially enhances good relations.

Section 75 Category: Political Opinion
Level of impact: None - The plaque is unlikely to impact good relations as it remembers the past. Ensuring no / minimal community impact on those of different political background has been taken into consideration in agreeing the location and wording on the memorial.

Section 75 Category: Racial Group
Level of impact: None - No Impact on any racial group.

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: Yes. Education on the past can have a positive impact on good relations between people of different religious belief.

Political Opinion: Yes. Education on the past can have a positive impact on good relations between people of different political opinion.

Racial Group: No. Does not affect any racial group.

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.)

Consideration was given to the location and wording of the memorial to ensure minimal / no impact on any and section 75 group.

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.

Consideration was given to the location and wording of the memorial to ensure minimal / no impact on any and section 75 group.

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.

Please give further information and examples:

Not relevant.

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:

Mitigation for equality impact because the memorial followed Council’s memorial policy.

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 wording and location provides no impact on any of the section 75 groups.

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?

No.

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

Mitigation as the consultation and decision on the location and wording on the policy was sensitive to equality and good relations and the memorial should not have any negative impact in the local community and / or shared space.

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:

Councils Memorial policy and procedure will be implemented.

Approval And Authorisation

Screened By: David Jackson, Clerk and Chief Executive 17/02/26

Approved By: Head of Service for Community & Culture