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Equality and diversity

Equality screening outcome report: Cherryvale Playing Fields works to Pitch 1

Published in July 2023


Contents


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 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

Cherryvale Playing Fields – works to Pitch 1


2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened

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

The project involves erection of ball stop nets, spectator fencing and a path around Pitch 1 at Cherryvale Playing Fields.

Pitch 1 is used daily for Gaelic football, camogie and hurling. As the pitch lies adjacent to a children’s playground, there are currently safety concerns of a ball causing serious injury to a child or member of the public using the playground or playing fields. 

 Furthermore, with unrestricted access to pitch 1, BCC has received reports in relation to uncontrolled dogs frightening users, dogs digging holes on the pitch and dog fouling.  


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

(What is the policy trying to achieve?)​

The project aims to:

  • Increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to children, parents, carers and the general public in the adjacent playground and playing fields
  • Enhance enjoyment of sport by preventing unrestrained dogs disrupting training sessions, games and frightening users
  • Improve the condition of the pitch by preventing dogs digging up the playing fields, and
  • Create opportunities to improve health and wellbeing by providing an accessible 1.5m wide path to link in with the existing trim trail. The proposed path will be suitable for walkers, buggies and wheelchair users. 

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
Service users Yes
Other public sector organisations No
Voluntary, community groups and trade unions Yes
Others, specify No

5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?

Yes. The pitch is managed by City and Neighbourhood Services.


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

Engagement has been undertaken internally with colleagues in City and Neighbourhood Services and Asset Management Group. There have been regular updates to members of East Area Working Group. 

An engagement event was held on Wednesday 22 February 2023 at Cherryvale Playing Fields changing rooms from 1pm to7pm.  The event was publicised by two signs at Cherryvale Playing Fields, BCC website and social media. Approximately 150 people attended the drop-in event. People requested information on the proposed works and provided verbal feedback.  A survey was also made available for attendees to provide feedback.  Approximately 112 responses were received. 


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

Cherryvale Playing Fields are located within Lisnasharragh District Electoral Area (DEA).

On Census Day 2011, 28.99 per cent of the resident population of Lisnasharragh DEA belongs to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 59.91 per cent belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian-related)' religion.  

Political opinion

Table 1 shows percentages of first preference votes cast in Lisnasharragh DEA in local government elections held on 2 May 2019. Table 2 shows political composition of members elected for Lisnasharragh DEA, following transfers.

Racial group Census 2011 data states 97.82 per cent of the resident population of Lisnasharragh DEA were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group.
Age

According to Census 2011 data for Lisnasharragh DEA:

  • 16.98 per cent of the resident population were aged under 16 years old
  • 65.27 per cent were aged between 16 and 65 years old and 
  • 17.75 per cent were aged over 65 years old
Marital status

According to Census 2011 data for Lisnasharragh DEA, 37.54 per cent of the population aged 16 years and older were single, 45.77 per cent were married, 0.14 per cent were in a registered same sex civil partnership, 2.94 per cent were separated, 5.15 per cent were divorced and 8.46 per cent were widowed.    

Sexual orientation

Information on sexual orientation has not previously been collected in the census in Northern Ireland, however a question on sexual orientation was included in the 2011 Census. 

The Rainbow Project estimates that, on the basis of national and international research, one in 10 people in Northern Ireland would not identify as being heterosexual. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS), 1.2 per cent of the population in Northern Ireland identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual. 

Men and women generally

Census 2011 data states 47.30 per cent of the usually resident population of Lisnasharragh DEA were male and 52.70 per cent were female. 

Disability

Census 2011 data for Lisnasharragh states:

  • 20.11 per cent of people had a long-term health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities;
  • 80.33 per cent of people stated their general health was either good or very good; and
  • 13.30 per cent of people stated that they provided unpaid care to family, friends, neighbours or others.

In 2018, there were 220 Disability Living Allowance recipients in Lisnasharragh DEA.

Dependants

According to Census 2011 data, 25.82 per cent of households in Lisnasharragh DEA have dependent children.

Table 1 Percentages of first preference votes cast in Lisnasharragh DEA on 2 May 2019

Political party Percentage of first preference votes
Alliance Party 28.77
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) 27.92
Green Party Northern Ireland 11.14
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 8.93
Ulster Unionist Party 8.34
Sinn Féin 5.59
Progressive Unionist Party 3.28
Independent 1.84
UK Independence Party 1.53
Cross Community Labour Alternative 1.45
People Before Profit Alliance 1.20

Table 2 Councillors from political parties elected for Lisnasharragh DEA on 2  May 2019

Political party Elected members
Alliance Party 2
Democratic Unionist Party 2
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 1
Green Party Northern Ireland 1

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 proposed works will have no impact on equality of opportunity for people from various religious beliefs. The existing pitch will remain a shared space for people in the community from all religious beliefs. None
Political opinion  The proposed works will have no impact on equality of opportunity for people with different political opinions. The proposed works to the pitch will remain a shared space for people in the community regardless of political opinion. None
Racial group The proposed works will have no impact on equality of opportunity for people from different racial groups. The pitch will continue to be a shared space for people in the community from all racial groups. None
Age The project will have no impact on equality of opportunity for people from different age groups. The existing pitch will continue to be a shared space for people in the community from all age groups. None
Marital status The project will have no impact on equality of opportunity for people of different marital status. The existing pitch will continue to be a shared space accessible to all regardless of marital status. None
Sexual orientation The proposed works will have no impact on equality of opportunity in terms of sexual orientation as the pitch will remain accessible to all section 75 groups. None
Men and women generally  The proposed works will have no impact on equality of opportunity for men and women as the pitch will be accessible to all Section 75 groups regardless of gender. None
Disability The proposed works will have a positive impact on equality of opportunity in terms of disability, as the asphalt path will facilitate improved access for people with disabilities. The 1.5m wide path will link in with the existing trim trail creating opportunities for all users to improve health and wellbeing. Minor positive
 Dependants The proposed works will have a positive impact on equality of opportunity in terms of dependants as the asphalt path will facilitate improved access for people with prams, buggies and wheelchairs. The 1.5m wide path will link in with the existing trim trail creating opportunities to improve health and wellbeing. 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 The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Political opinion  The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Racial group  The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Age The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Marital status The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Sexual orientation The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Men and women generally  The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
Disability The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. This is not applicable
 Dependants The proposed works are intended to increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to all users. 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

People with different religious beliefs were able to fully participate in the engagement.  

None
Political opinion 

People with different political opinions were able to fully participate in the engagement.

None
Racial group People from different racial groups were able to fully participate in the engagement. None

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 The proposals involve works to improve the condition of pitch 1 at Cherryvale Playing Fields. The pitch is for community use by people of all beliefs. This is not applicable
Political opinion  The proposals involve works to improve the condition of pitch 1 at Cherryvale Playing Fields. The pitch is for community use by people of all political opinions. This is not applicable
Racial group  The proposals involve works to improve the condition of pitch 1 at Cherryvale Playing Fields. The pitch is for community use by people of all races. 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. 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 proposed path at Cherryvale Playing Fields (pitch 1) will ensure improved accessibility for all. This will improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards people with disabilities.


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 project at Cherryvale Playing Fields has the opportunity to create increased participation by disabled people in public life as the proposed design of the path and gates has taken into consideration the needs of people with disabilities and mobility issues. 


14. Multiple identities

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

No additional identities have been noted.


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

Comments and complaints from users and visitors.
Number of events and activities in open spaces.

Comments and complaints from users and visitors.
Number of events and activities in open spaces.
Comments and complaints from users and visitors.
Number of events and activities in open spaces.

Section D

Formal record of screening decision

Title of proposed policy or decision being screened

 Cherryvale Playing Fields – works to Pitch 1

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 (EQIA)
No

Screened out
It is not necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment (no impacts)
All possible adjustments and accommodations in relation to Section 75 have been incorporated into the proposals.

Yes

Screened out
Mitigating actions (minor impacts)

  • Provide a brief note to explain how this decision was reached
  •  Explain what mitigating actions or policy changes will now be introduced
No

Screening assessment completed by

Name: Briege Coyle
Date:   19 May 2023
Department: Physical Programmes Department


Screening decision approved by

Name:  Martin Doherty
Date:  3 July 2023
Department: Physical Programmes Department


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 
Equality and Diversity Unit (jobshare) 
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511
Email: [email protected]

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Footnotes

[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)

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