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Published in July 2023
Contents
Overview of the screening template
Section A Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title or policy or decision to be screened
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
3. Aims and objectives of policy or decision to be screened
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
Section B Information on the consultation process
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
7. Available evidence
8. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories?
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people in Section 75 equality categories?
10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Section C 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?
13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
14. Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Screening assessment completed
Screening decision approved
Footnotes
Overview of screening template
The council has a statutory duty to screen. This includes our strategies, plans, policies, legislative developments; and new ways of working such as the introduction, change or end of an existing service, grant funding arrangement or facility. This screening template is designed to help departments consider the likely equality impacts of their proposed decisions on different groups of customers, service users, staff and visitors.
Before carrying out an equality screening exercise it is important that you have received the necessary training first. To find out about the training needed or any other queries on screening, contact the Equality and Diversity Officer Lorraine Dennis on extension 6027 or or Lisa McKee on extension 6310 by email [email protected]
The accompanying screening guidance note provides straightforward advice on how to carry out equality screening exercises. Detailed information about the Section 75 equality duties and what they mean in practice is available on the Equality Commission’s website.[1]
The screening template has four sections to complete. These are:
- Section A provides details about the policy or decision that is being screened
- Section B gives information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups
- Section C has four key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order
- Section D is the formal record of the screening decision
Section A
Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title of policy or decision to be screened
Black Mountain, Upper Whiterock Greenway – Capital Project
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?)
Black Mountain, Upper Whiterock Greenway is a new project which is likely to have capital and revenue implications for the council. Other funders have and will be approached.
3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)
Black Mountain, Upper Whiterock Greenway project aims to create enhanced walking routes from the Whiterock, Ballygomartin area through to Divis Mountain and linking into National Trust walkways on top of the mountain.
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.
| People | Actual or potential impact |
|---|---|
| Staff | Yes. There is likely to be a requirement for staff members in City and Neighbourhood Services to maintain the pathways and engagement with the local community with regard to issues and opportunities during the operation phase. |
| Service users | Yes. The pathways will create formal walking routes (informal routes are presently used) which will attract further users to the facilities. |
| Other public sector organisations | Yes. There are various land owners involved in the project including the Housing Executive; others such as Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department for Communities (DfC). |
| Voluntary, community groups and trade unions | Yes. The project will be a partnership with the council, public sector organisations (DoJ, DfC and Housing Executive), alongside organisations operating locally such as Upper Springfield Development Trust (USDT is the lead partner), Belfast Hills, National Trust, Woodland Trust (others may become involved). |
| Others | No |
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
Yes. We are working closely with Housing Executive, Department of Justice (DoJ), Department for Communities (DfC)and have had some initial engagement with Department for Infrastructure (DfI).
Section B
Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
Consultation to date has been via local community organisations. As the project moves to planning phase there will be a more detailed community engagement process as is guided by statutory processes and will be hosted on BCC systems, open to all in multiple formats.
7. Available evidence
What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence 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
| Section 75 category | Details of evidence information and engagement |
|---|---|
| Religious belief | The surrounding area is very polarised due to the physical divide of the DoJ peace fence. The project aims to develop better links across the communities and soften the peace barrier where possible and in partnership with both communities. |
| Political opinion | The surrounding area is very polarised due to the physical divide of the DoJ peace fence. The project aims to develop better links across the communities and soften the peace barrier where possible and in partnership with both communities. |
| Racial group | The project aims to reach out to all users across the city, regional and internationally. |
| Age | The surrounding area has an above average population for people aged under one year old to 39years old and slightly below average population aged 40 to 64years old. The project is committed to engaging with all age groups in developing and delivering its programmes, it will also co-operate with the council's Age Friendly Forum as required. |
| Marital status | The area has a significantly higher than average proportion of female residents than Northern Ireland as a whole. This is perhaps explained by the very high proportion of single parent households at 21.8 per cent and 21.63 per cent, respectively compared to Northern Ireland at 9.1 per cent. The project will be programmed to cater for a wide range of users. |
| Sexual orientation | Upper Springfield Development Trust (USDT) aims to engage with all user groups and promote activities across a range of user profiles. |
| Men and women generally | The male population in the surrounding area is lower than the NI average, another possible explanation for the very high proportion of single parent households. USDT aims to programme the project to engage with each group equally. |
| Disability | The nature of the project means that there may be some impact on people with disabilities in accessing phase two of the project which will traverse the steep side of Divis Mountain. At the more detailed design stage, there should be discussions with leading disability, inclusion, and age-friendly groups to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to maximise potential users and make them feel welcome. |
| Dependants | USDT has considered the high numbers of lone parents in the area, carers and will engage with these parties through existing services in order to design programmes fit for purpose. |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | The surrounding area is very polarised due to the physical divide of the DoJ peace fence. The project aims to develop better links across the communities and soften the peace barrier where possible and in partnership with both communities. | Minor positive |
| Political opinion | The surrounding area is very polarised due to the physical divide of the DoJ peace fence. The project aims to develop better links across the communities and soften the peace barrier where possible and in partnership with both communities. | Minor positive |
| Racial group | The project aims to reach out to all users across the city, regional and internationally. | Minor positive |
| Age | The surrounding area has an above average population aged between under one year old and 39 years and slightly below average population between 40 and 64years old. The project is committed to engaging with all age groups in developing and delivering its programmes, it will also cooperate with the council's Age-Friendly Forum as required. | None |
| Marital status | The area has a significantly higher than average proportion of female residents than Northern Ireland as a whole. This is perhaps explained by the very high proportion of single parent households at 21.8 per cent and 21.63 per cent, respectively compared to Northern Ireland at 9.1 per cent. The project will be programmed to cater for a wide range of users. | None |
| Sexual orientation | USDT aims to engage with all user groups and promote activities across a range of user profiles | None |
| Men and women generally | The male population in the surrounding area is lower than the Northern Ireland average, another possible explanation for the very high proportion of single parent households. USDT aims to programme the project to engage with each group equally. | None |
| Disability | The nature of the project means that there may be some impact on people with disabilities in accessing phase two of the project which will traverse the steep side of Divis Mountain. At the more detailed design stage, there should be discussions with leading disability, inclusion, and age friendly groups to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to maximise potential users and make them feel welcome. |
Minor positive |
| Dependants | USDT has considered the high numbers of lone parents in the area, carers and will engage with these parties through existing services to design programmes fit for purpose. | Minor positive |
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 | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people of different religious backgrounds. | This is not applicable |
| Political opinion | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people of different political opinions. | This is not applicable |
| Racial group | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people from different racial groups. |
This is not applicable |
| Age | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people of different ages. | This is not applicable |
| Marital status | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people with different martial status. | This is not applicable |
| Sexual orientation | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people with different sexual orientations. | This is not applicable |
| Men and women generally | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between men and women generally. | This is not applicable |
| Disability | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people with different abilities. | This is not applicable |
| Dependants | Yes. The new pathway project will promote positive relations between people with dependants. | This is not applicable |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Yes. The project will encourage participation from people of all religious beliefs. The participation rates from people within the Section 75 categories will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the project. The pathways aim to positively impact on relationships in this area. | Minor positive |
| Political opinion | Yes. The project will encourage participation from people of all political opinions. The participation rates from people within the Section 75 categories will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the project. The pathways aim to positively impact on relationships in this area. | Minor positive |
| Racial group | Yes. The project will encourage participation from people of all racial groups. The participation rates from people within the Section 75 categories will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the project. The pathways aim to positively impact on relationships in this area | Minor positive |
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 details |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | Yes. Detailed engagement with a wider stakeholder group will be required as the project moves towards planning and will be kept under continual review. | This is not applicable |
| Political opinion | Yes. Detailed engagement with a wider stakeholder group will be required as the project moves towards planning and will be kept under continual review. | This is not applicable |
| Racial group | Yes. Detailed engagement with a wider stakeholder group will be required as the project moves towards planning and will be kept under continual review. | This is not applicable |
Section C
Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order. Questions 12 and 13 relate to these 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
Yes. The project will enhance accessibility to one of Belfast’s major assets and the detailed design stage will ensure that where possible the design includes access for a range of users and where this is not possible (on the steeper mountain paths), alternatives will be provided.
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
Yes. The project will allow a range of disabled people to participate in public life via access to the hills and mountains that surround Belfast, providing accessible pathways and quality signage to assist people in circulating around the space.
14. Multiple identities
Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
The scope of the proposed project is that it is highly likely that participants will reflect multiple identities and Section 75 categories, for example young people from minority ethnic communities. The plan is designed to have a positive impact upon individuals with multiple identities.
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section 75 places a requirement the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place:
- to assess the impact of policies and services
- to help identify barriers to fair participation
- to better promote equality of opportunity
Section 75 places a requirement for the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services and to help identify barriers to fair participation and to better promote equality of opportunity.
Outline what data you will collect in the future to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.
| Equality | Good Relations | Disability Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring information will include data on age. Community background, gender, political opinion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. Data capture and processing will be co-ordinated through the management of the facility on a monthly or quarterly basis. Information will be collated using a pro-forma with electronic records kept on database in line with GDPR. | Monitoring information will include data on age. Community background, gender, political opinion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. Data capture and processing will be co-ordinated through the management of the facility on a monthly/ quarterly basis. Information will be collated using a pro-forma with electronic records kept on database in line with GDPR. | Monitoring information will include data on age. Community background, gender, political opinion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. Data capture and processing will be co-ordinated through the management of the facility on a monthly/ quarterly basis. Information will be collated using a pro-forma with electronic records kept on database in line with GDPR. |
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Title of proposed policy or decision being screened
Black Mountain, Upper Whiterock Greenway Capital Project
I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:
- equality of opportunity and good relations
- disability duties
| On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy or decision is | |
|---|---|
| Screened in It is necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment |
No |
| Screened out It is not necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment (no impacts) The project has taken into account the full Section 75 spectrum and where issues have been highlighted they will be given particular attention at the detailed design stage. |
Yes |
| Screened out Mitigating actions (minor impacts)
|
No |
Screening assessment completed by
Name: Michael Collins
Date: 19 June 2023
Department: Physical Programmes
Screening decision approved by
Name: Sinéad Grimes
Date: 6 July 2023
Department: Physical Programmes
Please save the Word final version of the completed screening form and email to the Equality and Diversity Officer: [email protected] A link to this screening form will be provided to the council's Section 75 consultees.
For more information about equality screening, contact:
Lorraine Dennis or Lisa McKee
Equality and Diversity Unit
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511
Email: [email protected]
Footnotes
[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)