Equality impact Assessment form (Part 1)Screening

Name of strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:

Car Parking

Name and telephone number of officers completing assessment:

David Sowe Tel: 01737 276228
Brian Williams Tel: 01737 276629

Date completed:

28 November 2008
Section one: Identify your aims and objectives

The purpose of an Equality Impact Assessment is to improve the work of the Council by making sure it does not discriminate and that, where possible, it promotes equality. It is a way to make sure individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of their work on people in Reigate & Banstead and take action to improve strategies, policies, procedures, projects and functions where appropriate.

Consider the following questions with regard to your strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:

·  How will it be put into practice and who will be responsible for it?

·  Who are the key stakeholders?

·  What are you trying to achieve and for whom?

What is the main aim or purpose of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function?

To provide adequate, clean, secure and affordable parking for a variety of users to ensure the vitality and viability of our town centres and local shopping parades

List the main activities or objectives of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function

(for strategies list the main policy areas):

Maintain and operate 14 surface car parks and 2 multi-storey car parks throughout the borough

Who are main beneficiaries of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function and in what way?

Residents, traders, businesses, visitors. Anyone who lives, works, or visits in the borough should benefit from adequate, clean, secure and affordable parking
Section two: Consider data and research

A vital part of the process is exploring any available data and relevant research. This will help to form an opinion on the implications a strategy/policy/procedure/project/function may have in relation to equality and diversity.

Data can be statistical information from formal audits, consultation exercises (both external and internal), and surveys. Qualitative and quantitative data can be used. This may include service performance information, workforce profiles, local population and census data.

·  Statistical data can be found in the About the Borough section of The Knowledge under Facts and figures

·  Consultation data can be found in the About the Borough section under Consultations

Where data is limited or not available managers should identify this as a limitation and devise action plans to overcome this. This may be achieved by contacting specialist organisations, representatives from the respective equality groups, and by further research of existing regional and national data.

What data is available to help inform the EIA?

Parking Services carries out an annual car parking survey each year which seeks the views of the public on the level of charges, cleaning and maintenance of the car parks (including lifts) and whether they feel safe using the car park.Motor Bikes may park free of charge in all car parks .The Council also undertakes Residents surveys every two years and these give general satisfaction levels on car parks

Are there any gaps which may require further research or consultation?

No
Section three: Assess the impact on equality target groups

Assess where you think that the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function could have a negative impact on any of the equality target groups i.e. it could disadvantage them or where it could have a positive impact or contribute to promoting equality, equal opportunities or improving relations within equality target groups.

Consider the following:

·  publicity, including design, distribution, accessible communications issues

·  physical access

·  location, geography

·  poverty, deprivation and social exclusion issues

·  employment

·  safety

·  direct discrimination: does the strategy, policy or project intentionally exclude a particular equality category? Is this justified?

·  indirect discrimination: does the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function affect some equality categories disproportionately? Is this justified? Is the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function or its outcomes (such as the services provided) likely to be equally accessed by all? Are there barriers that might inhibit or restrict access to the service for some people?

This section can be difficult to answer in areas where there is little or no information but lack of data should not be a reason to halt the process. Please continue to complete this form.

Using the table below, take each one of the equality target groups and predict the likely impact on people from these groups. Impact can be positive, negative, direct or indirect. You do not have to complete all the boxes. Only those where there is a disproportionate or greater impact either way.

/ Positive impact (itcould benefit) / Neutral / Negative impact
(it could disadvantage) /

Reason

/

Gender

/ Women / X /
High Low
/ Improved lighting and CCTV cameras linked to central Police Control Room monitoring centre. Working towards Safer Parking Award which benefits all users.We provide Parent and child spaces in the Multi-Storey Car Parks.
Men / X /
High Low
/ See above
Transgendered Men/Women / X /
High Low
/ See above

Race

The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2001 census. Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories. / Asian / X /
High Low
/ See above
Black / X /
High Low
/ See above
Mixed race / X /
High Low
/ See above
White people / X /
High Low
/ See above
Chinese people / X /
High Low
/ See above
Other - specify /
High Low
/ -

Disability

Long term health impairment could include, mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc. / Physical / X /
High Low
/ Blue badge holders can park for free. Disabled spaces located at exits/entrances for easy access.The lifts have low buttons for easy access.
Sensory /
High Low
X / Signs and ticket machines are not available to visually impaired. However RINGO (phone payments) available in all car parks.
Learning / X /
High Low
/ -
Long Term Health Impairment / X /
High Low
/ Blue badge holders can park for free. Disabled spaces located at exits/entrances for easy access.
Sexual orientation / Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals / X /
High Low
/ All parking transactions are treated equally in terms of sexual orientation.

Age

/ Older people (50 +) / X /
High Low
/ Lifts available in multi-storey car parks.
Younger people
(17-25), and children / X /

High Low

/ No special arrangements for younger people
Religion and belief
Faith groups cover a wide range of groupings, the most common of which are Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs. Consider faith categories individually and collectively when considering positive and negative impacts. / Faith groups / X /

High Low

/ All parking transactions are treated equally in terms of religion and belief.
Equal opportunities and /or improved relations / X /

High Low

/ The staff within the service are of different ages, gender, religion and race.

If you have indicated there is a potential negative impact on any group, are these Legal, Intentional and of a High Impact?

Legal? - i.e. not discriminatory under anti-discriminatory legislation?

If uncertain contact Legal Services Yes No X


Intended? – i.e. can be justified in terms of legislation

e.g. Concessionary fares over 60s Yes No X

High impact? – i.e. if is or may be discriminatory

against some groups. Yes No X

Is the negative impact

NOT INTENDED and/or of HIGH IMPACT and/or ILLEGAL?

·  If yes, a full assessment is required. Please complete the Equality impact assessment form Part Two: Full assessment.

·  If no, complete the rest of this form below and consider if completing the Equality impact assessment form Part Two: Full assessment would be helpful in making a thorough assessment.

Section four: Improvement planning

It is important to consider any influence the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function is having, or could potentially have, on the individual strands of equality. The strategy/policy/procedure/project/function should be examined for its effectiveness in:

·  promoting equality

·  eliminating discrimination

·  achieving equity

Could you minimise or remove any low negative impact or improve the positive impact of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function and if so how?

Analysis must be undertaken with the strategic objectives of the Council in mind and the questions should reflect legal requirements, the emerging Local Development Framework and population needs.

Use the table below to record how you could minimise or remove any low negative impact or improve the positive impact of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:

Issue / Action /
Visually impaired users / Introducing phone payments in May 09

If there is no evidence that the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function promotes equality, equal opportunities or improved relations – could it be adapted so that it does? How?

None
Section five: Monitoring and reviewing

What data do you have which monitors the impact of the strategy/policy/procedure/project/function on minority groups?

None

How is this data used?

To improve the service we provide to all users of the car park.

If there is no data, please explain how you intend to continue monitoring the impact of this strategy/policy/procedure/project/function:

Continue with satisfaction surveys

Please send a copy of the completed form to the Equalities Steering Group, via Lorraine Hatton at .

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