Cherryvale Gate: Equality Screening Outcome Report

Section A

Details about the policy or decision to be screened

1. Title of policy or decision to be screened:-

Reopening of access gate into Cherryvale Playing Fields at Rosetta Park and Knockbreda Park

2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened:-

(Explain - Is this a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)

The decision to be screened within this equality screening is the decision by members of the People and Communities Committee to open an access gate on Knockbreda Road or Rosetta Park for public access into Cherryvale Playing Fields.

In accordance to Fields Of Trust guidance, Cherryvale Playing Fields would be defined as a LEAP (Locally Equipped Area for Play), the definition of which is detailed as follows:

An area of open space specifically designed and laid out with features including equipment for children who are beginning to play independently. The number and nature of equipment and structures is a matter for local decision, though provision for a minimum number of six play experiences is recommended.

Play features including equipment are an integral part of the LEAP and the attractiveness of such spaces, though it is also important that the space can be used for physical activity and games. LEAPs can also include landscaped areas of play; containing little formal equipment but imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as is possible natural materials such as logs or boulders which create an attractive setting for play.

The decision was taken by elected member to complete a survey of residents of up to 400m from the gate as Fields of Trust recommend that that the distance from a dwelling to an access point to an open space designated as a Local Equipped Area of Play to be 400m.

3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened:-

(What is the policy trying to achieve?)

The aims and objectives of the decision to be screened was to provide an access point to the residents within a 400m radius of Cherryvale Playing Fields through an access point at Rosetta Park and Knockbreda Road.

At present the only access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields is through the entrance point at Ravenhill Road. As stated previously, Fields of Trust recommend an access point for dwellings within 400m radius (5-minute walk) of an Open Space defined as a Local Equipped Area of Play, and at present the sole access point at Ravenhill Road does not provide this.

The decision to reopen the access point is intended to meet the current guidance to ensure that the provision of outdoor sport, play and informal open space is of a sufficient size to enable effective use. It is designed to allow Cherryvale Playing Fields to be accessible and is in close proximately to dwellings to encourage its continued use.

The screening is to be completed as the guidelines should not be interpreted as maximum levels of provision and that they may have to be adjusted to take account of local circumstances.

4. On whom will the policy or decision impact?

Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain: -

Staff: No

Service Users: Yes

Other public sector organisations: Yes

Voluntary, community groups or trade unions: No

Others, specify:

Immediate residents of Rosetta Park and Knockbreda Road could be impacted by higher volumes of traffic and increased footfall around their properties.

5. Are there linkages to other Agencies or Departments?

In order for the decision to progress, Belfast City Council has been engaging with the Department for Infrastructure regarding road safety concerns that have been raised by immediate residents. The Department for Infrastructure has committed to the installation of a pedestrian crossing to be situated at the point Knockbreda Road meets Rosetta Park directly outside of the access point.

Section B

Information on the consultation process and supporting evidence gathered

6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved

The following pre-consultation has been achieved:

P&C Committee	3 March 2020	P&C agreement to commence consultation for opening of gate with immediate neighbours.
P&C Committee	11 August 2020	Members agree to conduct a site visit at request of Councillor De Faoite to meet with various user groups to discuss any relevant issues regarding the playing fields.
Site Visit	3 September 2020	Members were advised at the site visit that a survey had been sent to 100 neighbours within the immediate vicinity requesting their views.
P&C Committee	8 September 2020	Councillor Kelly requested the survey be widened to incorporate additional residents. Following discussion, it was subsequently decided to extend the survey scope to a 400-metre radius (that is, approximately within a 5 minute walk) from the gate.
P&C Committee	9 March 2021	Results of the survey presented to members. Members agree in principle to gate reopening, subject to DfI road crossing being installed. The Committee, in reviewing the findings, asked that in an attempt to address the anti-social behavior concerns, that an assessment be carried out in consultation with adjacent residents who might be affected on the possible options to prevent anti-social behavior including new lighting options, anti-graffiti paint and anti-climb paint and additional fencing.
ASB face to face Survey	May 2021	61 were offered opportunity to engage in consultation. (18 responded and three dropped out). Subsequently face to face surveys took place with 15 residents. The results of this survey were included in the draft report December 2021 – this has not been re-submitted to P&C Committee.
Most recent DfI engagement	November 2021	The Department for Infrastructure had identified three potential options for a traffic light system on Knockbreda Road, and in a discussion between council officers and DFI officers in mid-November, DFI notified Council that final plans relating to the second option.

The draft BOSS was presented to the ‘Strategy Advisory Group’ for final comment and feedback on 5 December 2018.

Internal

An internal ‘Strategy Oversight Group’ was set up in 2017 made up of inter-departmental council representatives to provide oversight and guidance. Two meetings were convened with this group and joint workshops (total of four) took place with the external ‘Strategy Advisory Group’.
An internal operational management group was also established (made up of City Park Managers, Parks Quality Manager and Community Outreach Managers and Officers). This group participated in a workshop and also completed a questionnaire. The workshop and questionnaire was structured in order to gather important qualitative operational information:
- Review and verify open spaces baseline information;
- Identify open space issues; and
- Recommend future open space opportunities and improvements.
The draft BOSS was presented to the Strategic Planning and Resources and the People and Communities Committee in March 2019 and was subsequently noted at the Planning Committee soon after.

Consultation

Given the linkages with the Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan (GBIP), it was felt that a joint public consultation exercise would be beneficial to maximise responses. The consultation questionnaire was designed to allow respondents to comment on either document or both. The consultation process took place from 17 June until 20 September 2019. During the consultation period we received a total of 96 responses:

67 responses via Citizen Space
16 hard copy questionnaire responses
13 general written submissions

68 responses were from individuals, with 28 from groups or organisations.

7. Available evidence

What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence below to help inform your screening assessment.

It is important to record information gathered from a variety of sources such as: monitoring information; complaints; research surveys; consultation exercises from other public authorities.

Results of the wider survey requested by Cllr Kelly on 8 September 2020 was presented to members. Members agree in principle to gate reopening, subject to DfI road crossing being installed. The Committee, in reviewing the findings, asked that in an attempt to address the anti-social behavior concerns, that an assessment be carried out in consultation with adjacent residents who might be affected on the possible options to prevent anti-social behavior including new lighting options, anti-graffiti paint and anti-climb paint and additional fencing.
Results of the Anti-Social Behavior Survey that was requested on 9 March 2021 by members of the P&C Committee. During this survey, carried out in May 2021, 61 were offered opportunity to engage in consultation. (18 responded and three dropped out). Subsequently face to face surveys took place with 15 residents.

Section 75 category	Details of evidence or information and engagement
Religious belief	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Political opinion	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Racial group	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Age	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Marital status	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Sexual orientation	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Men and women generally	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Disability	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category
Dependants	The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category

8. What is the likely impact (indicate if the policy impact is positive or negative) on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? What is the level of impact?

Section 75 category	Likely impact?	Level of impact? Minor, Major or None
Religious belief	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Religious Belief	None
Political opinion	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Political Opinion	None
Racial group	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Racial Groups	None
Age	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Age	None
Marital status	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Marital Status	None
Sexual orientation	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Sexual Orientation	None
Men and women generally	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Men and Woman Generally	None
Disability	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Disability	None
Dependants	The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Dependants	None

9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?

Section 75 category	If Yes, provide details	If No, provide reasons
Religious belief	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any religious belief to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy, the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Political opinion	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any political opinion to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Racial group	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any racial group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Age	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any age group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Marital status		No - it is our belief that there are no opportunities to better promote the equality of opportunity is the same for a person of any of marital status to access open spaces.
Sexual orientation		No - it is our belief under the new strategy that there are no opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for a person of any sexual orientation to access open spaces.
Men and women generally		No - it is our belief under the new strategy, the equality of opportunity is the same for men and women generally.
Disability	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any disability group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Dependants	Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person with or without dependants to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.

10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact (positive or negatively) on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? What is the level of impact?

Good relations category	Likely impact?	Level of impact? Minor, Major or None
Religious belief	Positive impact – The reopening of the access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields relates to three strategic principles outlined within the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy and offer the potential to have a positive impact on good relations between people of different religious beliefs, political opinion and racial groups. The strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. SP1 is about providing high-quality open spaces that are inviting and safe for everyone to use. Open spaces will be used to encourage community cohesion and social interaction. Some of the opportunities identified include building stronger communities, by providing conciliatory and socially inclusive opportunities for people and groups to interact and meet new people. We will also continue to build relationships across communities to increase confidence using and developing shared open spaces and services. Some headline actions identified include: supporting the development of a sustainable approach to the management and promotion of shared spaces and facilitating stronger community involvement in the management and enhancement of our open spaces. SP2 is about improving access and connections to existing open spaces. Other opportunities identified include working in partnership to release land for open space development and improve access to existing parks and play areas, therefore creating more connected neighbourhoods. Some headline actions identified under SP2 include working in partnership to help remove or improve access continue to work in partnership to support the creation of green space across the open space network. SP7 is about ensuring that our open spaces remain well-used and valued by local communities. As part of this we will continue to provide a diverse programme of events, festivals and activities. We will continue to promote our open spaces as hubs for citywide and local events to as many people as possible.	None
Political opinion
Racial group

Good relations category

Likely impact?

Level of impact? Minor, Major or None

Religious belief

Positive impact – The reopening of the access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields relates to three strategic principles outlined within the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy and offer the potential to have a positive impact on good relations between people of different religious beliefs, political opinion and racial groups. The strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.

SP1 is about providing high-quality open spaces that are inviting and safe for everyone to use. Open spaces will be used to encourage community cohesion and social interaction. Some of the opportunities identified include building stronger communities, by providing conciliatory and socially inclusive opportunities for people and groups to interact and meet new people. We will also continue to build relationships across communities to increase confidence using and developing shared open spaces and services. Some headline actions identified include: supporting the development of a sustainable approach to the management and promotion of shared spaces and facilitating stronger community involvement in the management and enhancement of our open spaces.

SP2 is about improving access and connections to existing open spaces. Other opportunities identified include working in partnership to release land for open space development and improve access to existing parks and play areas, therefore creating more connected neighbourhoods. Some headline actions identified under SP2 include working in partnership to help remove or improve access continue to work in partnership to support the creation of green space across the open space network.

SP7 is about ensuring that our open spaces remain well-used and valued by local communities. As part of this we will continue to provide a diverse programme of events, festivals and activities. We will continue to promote our open spaces as hubs for citywide and local events to as many people as possible.

None

Political opinion

Racial group

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

Good relations category	If Yes, provide details	If No, provide reasons
Religious belief	The reopening of the access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields may provide opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion and racial groups. These include actions under SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve Connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning.
Political opinion
Racial group

Section C

Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order and Questions 12 to 13 relate to these two areas.

Consideration of Disability Duties

12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?

Explain your assessment in full

The decision to reopen the access point can relate to the BOSS strategy under SP3: Improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people.

13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?

Explain your assessment in full

The decision to reopen the access point can relate to the BOSS strategy under SP3: Improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the Council to actively increase the participation of disabled people in public life.

14. Multiple Identities

Provide details of data on the impact of the policy on multiple identities

We have collected no data in the development or consultation process of the strategy on the impact of the reopening of Cherryvale Gate on multiple identities.

Specify relevant Section 75 categories concerned.

15. Monitoring Arrangements

Section 75 places a requirement the Council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services etc; and to help identify barriers to fair participation and to better promote equality of opportunity.

Outline what data you will collect in the future in order to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.

Equality	Good Relations	Disability Duties
A Neighbourhood Service Manager will be responsible for the internal implementation of the decision to reopen the access gate into Cherryvale Playing Fields and working externally with partners and stakeholders in order to monitor impacts of this decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.

Section D

Formal Record of Screening Decision

Title of Proposed Policy or Decision being screened

The Reopening of Cherryvale Gate

I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for –

Equality of opportunity and good relations	x
Disabilities duties	x

On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy or decision is

* Screened Out - Mitigating Actions (no impacts)

Provide a brief note here to explain how this decision was reached:
Explain what mitigating actions or policy changes will now be introduced:

The screening has indicated that the strategy has the potential to have a positive impact on equal opportunities, good relations and promote open and shared spaces to peoples with disabilities.

It should be noted that the potential for the gate to be opened identifies a range of opportunities to have a positive impact on community relations and welcoming shared spaces.

Screening assessment completed by (Officer level) -

Name: Colin Willetts

Date: 1 August 2022

Department : City and Neighbourhood Services Department

Screening decision approved by -

Name: Stephen Leonard

Date: 1 September 2022

Department: City and Neighbourhood Services Department

Save the final version of the completed screening form and forward to the Equality and Diversity Officer – [email protected]. The screening form will be placed on the BCC website and a link provided to the Council’s Section 75 consultees.

For more information about equality screening contact –

Lorraine Dennis
Equality and Diversity Officer (job-share)
Belfast City Council
City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS

Telephone: 028 9027 0511

[email protected]

Equality Screening Outcome Report: Cherryvale Gate