Reigate & Banstead

Local Development Framework

Core Strategy

Equalities Impact Assessment

March 2009

This report is produced by:

Policy and Regeneration

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

Town Hall

Castlefield Road

Reigate

Surrey

RH2 0SH

And is also available on our web site

CONTENTS

1. / Introduction / 4
2. / Background to the Core Strategy / 5
3. / Profile of Equality Groups / 6
4. / Scope of the Assessment / 14
5. / Conclusion / 18
Appendices
Appendix 1 / Equalities Impact Assessment / 19

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1The Race Relations Amendment Act 2000, Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2006 require an Equality Impact Assessment (EqlA) to be carried out for all services and policies delivered by Local Authorities.

1.2The purpose of the EqlA is to highlight the likely impact of the strategy and policies on the target groups and to take action to improve the policies where appropriate as a result.

1.3This document sets out the EqlA of the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD).

1.4For the purpose of this assessment, the following equality groups, as identified in the Council’s Equality Assessment Guide 2008, have been considered:

  • Gender
  • Race
  • Disability
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Age
  • Religion or Belief

1.5The remaining sections of this document describe:

  • Section 2: Background to the Core Strategy
  • Section 3: Profile of Equality Groups
  • Section 4: Scope of the Assessment
  • Section 5: Equality Issues and Actions
  • Section 6: Monitoring and Review

2. BACKGROUND TO THE CORE STRATEGY

2.1The Core Strategy Development Plan Document (CSDPD) forms part of Reigate and Banstead’s Local Development Framework (LDF), which will replace the Borough Local Plan over the next 3 years to 2012.

2.2 The aim of the DPD is to set out the key elements of the planning framework for Reigate and Banstead, consisting of a long-term spatial vision, a set of spatial objectives, along with a spatial strategy and core policies for shaping the future of the Borough and for guiding and controlling new development.

2.3 It identifies broad locations for new development to meet the Borough’s needs, such as housing, employment and retail, leisure, community facilities, public services and transport.

2.4During the preparation of the Core Strategy there have been four formal stages of public consultation, each held over a six week period.

  • Issues and Options – Date
  • Preferred Options – Date
  • Revisited Preferred Options – Date
  • Core Strategy Submission – 23 March to 6 March 2009

2.5 At each stage the Council has sought feedback from the public and key consultees, on the emerging plan to help guide its development.

3. PROFILE OF EQUALITY GROUPS

3.1 A brief profile of what is known about each of the equality categories in Reigate and Banstead is presented below, based upon a range of data sources.

3.2 Gender

The Facts

  • In 2007 it is estimated that 51% (67,500) of the population was females and 49% (64,800) male.
  • Banstead, Redhill West and Salfords & Sidlow have more men than women (51%) and Preston has the lowest rate of males at just under 47% compared to 53% females.
  • Of the 21,000 over 65s, women outnumber men 12,400 (58%) compared to 8,88 (42%) and the differential increases with age. There are almost as many females as males over the age of 85.
  • Overall in the Borough, more workers are male, 55% compared to 45% female.
  • Just under 74% of females of working age in the Borough were economically active – that is in work or seeking work – lower than the South East average (77.6%), but in line with the figure for Britain (73.9%). However, 89.5% of males were economically active – significantly higher than the South East average (86.4%) and the national picture (83.4%).
  • Male workers earn more than female workers. The average weekly salary for male full-time workers in 2008 in Reigate & Banstead was £679.6 per week, compared to £498 for female workers. This earnings differential of over 36% is greater than the average for the South East (34%) and Great Britain (27%).

Source: Census 2001

Key Spatial Issues

The spatial implications of disadvantage and social exclusion for women are summarised below: -

  • Access to affordable childcare is a key factor to women engaging fully in the labour market.
  • The nature of women’s trip making patterns – often making multi-purpose local journeys – means they need access to convenient, affordable and safe public transport.
  • Women, children and young people also require safe and accessible walking and cycling routes to cover local journeys from home to work, home to school, shopping, leisure and childcare.
  • Personal safety and crime concerns, particularly at night in the public realm and when travelling alone on public transport are important for women. Urban areas are not always designed well in terms of visibility. Lighting and being overlooked.
  • As women often have complicated lives and often multi-task, access to good local services is important to them.

3.3 Race

The Facts

  • 95% of the Borough population identify themselves as White.
  • The percentage of non-white ethnic groups ranges from 3% to 9% of the total Borough population over different wards. Redhill West (8.5%), Redhill East (8.4%) and Earlswood and Whitebushes (7.6%) have the highest proportion of ethnic minority groups and South Park & Woodhatch the lowest at 2.7%.
  • Only 45% of people with Black ethnicity live in a dwelling owned outright or with a mortgage or loan compared to the average of 78% overall.
  • Black African and Mixed Black African households have the highest levels of overcrowding with between one quarter and one third overcrowded. Over 25% of Bangladeshi and Pakistani households are overcrowded.
  • Employment levels for those aged 16 to 74 ranged from 58% of Bangladeshis to 75% of Indians, with an average level of 72% for all groups.

Source: Derived from Census 2001 data

Key Spatial Issues

The spatial implications of disadvantage and social exclusion for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people are summarised below: -

  • The cost of housing in the Borough can prevent families form being able to access the type and size of housing needed. The larger family size of some ethnic groups can mean that overcrowding and / or poor housing conditions can be a problem.
  • Fear of crime, racial abuse and discrimination can prevent their enjoyment of the public realm and accessing open space.

3.4 Disability

The Facts

  • The 2001 Census shows 14.2% of Borough residents have a limiting long-term illness compared to 18% nationally.
  • In 2007 2.7% (3,575) of Borough residents claimed Disability Living Allowance, lower than the 4.7% nationally. 3.9% (3,180) of residents of working age were in receipt of Incapacity Benefit compared to 7.1% nationally.
  • Childhood obesity is a problem nationally, the Borough has the highest level of childhood obesity in Surrey and lower levels of physically active children than the England average. Obesity is associated with lack of physical exercise and disability in later life.
  • There is a high rate of mental health problems in the Borough compared to other Surrey Boroughs, with five Super Output Areas out of the worst ten in Surrey, being in Reigate and Banstead.
  • Just under 16% of the Borough working age population is disabled. Of the 62,284 people employed in the Borough, 5.9% (3,704) had a limiting long-term illness. The economic activity and employment rate for disabled people is over 25% lower than for non –disabled people.

Key Spatial Issues

The key spatial implications of disadvantage and social exclusion for the disabled community are set out below: -

  • Disabled people are more likely to experience worklessness than non-disabled people. To help disabled people gain access to employment and training facilities, it is important new facilities are accessible to all.
  • There is a shortage of accessible housing for disabled people, leading to a lack of choice and inappropriate housing. Surrounding environments are often not fully accessible and do not include accessible and well-maintained open space.
  • Disabled people are more likely to live in unsuitable or inaccessible housing without essential amenities, and have difficulty using public transport facilities. Provision of blue badge parking is crucial for those people who have to rely on private cars.
  • Access to social facilities and services for disabled people, including easily accessible, comprehensive, accurate and timely information, advocacy and support. The community and voluntary sectors have an important part role in this.
  • Disabled people continue to experience high levels of discrimination, harassment and lack of awareness. This can limit their ability to enjoy the public realm and participate fully in society.
  • Inaccessible facilities limit disabled people from using education and training opportunities.
  • Children need safe, accessible walking and cycling routes to school, leisure and community facilities and open spaces. They also need easy access to safe, well located and appropriate play equipment and other outdoor games facilities such as multi-use game areas.

3.5 Sexual Orientation

The Facts

  • There is little data available on sexual orientation. Estimates place the LGBT population at between 5 and 7% of the total population in England and Wales. If the Borough follows the national average, then between 6,500 and 9,000 people belong to the LGBT population.

Key Spatial Issues – Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered (LGBT) People

The key spatial implications of disadvantage for LBG groups LGBT groups are set out below: -

  • Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people can face hate crime and harassment in the public realm.
  • A lack of awareness of the way discrimination impacts on these communities, particularly with regard to housing, employment, counselling, advice and health services.
  • Personal safety in public spaces, on public transport is often an issue, particularly those who are open about their sexuality.

3.6 Age

The Facts

  • Overall Reigate and Banstead has a marked drop in the 15-24 year old age group than would be expected and higher proportions in the 35-39 and 50-54 age groups.
  • Preston Ward has the largest proportion of children aged 14 and under at just over 25% of the ward population, Salfords and Sidlow has the smallest at 15%.
  • Preston, Redhill East and Earlswood and Whitebushes have a young profile with over two-thirds of their population under the age of 45. Only 13% of people in Horley East and Redhill East are aged 60 or over.
  • 25% of the population in Kingswood with Burgh Heath, Reigate Hill and Tadworth and Tattenhams are aged 60 and over.
  • The number of over 85s and over has shown a large increase, the percentage of all of those aged 60 and over in the Borough has fallen from 22.8% in 1981 to 21.2% in 2006.
  • There is a higher live birth rate per thousand population (11.7) in the Borough than in Surrey(11.5).

Source: Derived from 2001 Census data

Key Spatial Issues

Children and Young People

  • Poverty and social exclusion is an issue for a small but significant number of households in the Borough, it is usually caused when parents and guardians do not have access to employment and training. This can have serious implications of health, nutrition and levels of educational attainment.
  • The provision of high quality social facilities including childcare, play, recreational, leisure, cultural and educational facilities offer a positive determinant of children’s future life chances.
  • A lack of access to free and inclusive play space and open space can hinder mental and physical development and independence.
  • The public realm can often be inaccessible to disabled children.
  • There are still concerns relating to crime, safety and vulnerability particularly in relation to street crime and road accidents. Fear of ‘stranger danger’ means that children are often prevented from going out and enjoying the public realm.
  • Young people need to be provided with opportunities to be independently mobile. Reliable and safe cycle and pedestrian routes and cheap public transport have vital roles in this.

Older People

  • Older people are more likely to have low incomes and be living in low quality and / or inappropriate housing. There is a shortage of specialised housing for older people.
  • Many older people live alone and experience isolation. Their safety and security can be a real concern, both at home and in public places.
  • Health and social care services can be poorly located and inaccessible.
  • Convenient, safe and reliable public transport is important to older people, along with specialist services such as dial-a-ride.
  • The design of the public realm needs to considered, with the provision of basic facilities such as public toilets and street furniture including seating.

3.7Religion or Belief

The Facts

  • Almost 80% (79.4%) of Reigate and Banstead residents say they are Christians, 1.3% Muslim, 0.8% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist / Jewish / any other religion and 0.1% Sikh.
  • Just over 16% have no religion, and 7.1% gave no answer.
  • The percentage declaring themselves to be Christian ranged from 68.5 in Redhill East to 79% in Chipstead. 20% of those in Redhill East have no religion.
  • Overall 1.4% of Borough residents are Muslim, ranging from 3.7% of residents in Redhill West down to 0.2% in Salfords and Sidlow.

Religious Composition of the Borough


Source: Derived from 2001 Census data

Key Spatial Issues

The key spatial implications of disadvantage and social exclusion for faith groups are summarised below: -

  • Discrimination because of religious beliefs has wide ranging impacts.
  • Access to appropriate housing especially in relation to overcrowding among populations with larger families due to religious and cultural reasons.
  • People from faith groups are likely to require specialised service provision, including places for cultural practices, community activities and provision for places of worship that are easily accessible by the communities which require them.
  • The provision of appropriate burial space is a concern for some faith groups.

4. SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT

4.1 The Core Strategy contains 3 Spatial Strategy policies, 4 Shaping Places policies and 10 Borough Policies. Some of these policies will have little or no impact on equality issues. For example, ‘Sustainable Construction’ is a key policy that affects the whole community and it is difficult to determine how this policy could affect different equality groups in a significant way. For that reason the Core Strategy policies have been grouped into four areas to enable the assessment of key themes on different equality groups. These are:

  • Housing
  • Employment
  • Transport and Accessibility
  • Access to Social Facilities

4.2 A detailed assessment of each core policy is set out in Appendix 1.

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CORE STRATEGY: SUBMISSION

Equalities Impact Assessment

Equality Group / Spatial Planning Theme
Housing / Employment / Transport / Access to Social & Community Facilities
Gender / Increasing the supply of housing, including affordable housing of mixed tenures, will provide choice on the type and location of homes. / The provision of jobs, including part time roles, in sustainable locations with public transport, walking / cycling routes will enable more women with children to enter the workforce locally. / Sustainable development to minimise the need to travel, whilst increasing and improving opportunities to walk, cycle, use public transport.
Improved infrastructure including highways, and transport. / Provision of a range of accessible shops and services, social and community facilities in areas that are accessible by public transport, walking and cycling is important for women.
Race / Increasing the supply of housing, including affordable housing of mixed tenures in new developments in a range of locations, will benefit all groups. Policy CS15 will ensure the accommodation requirements of Gypsies and Travellers are met. / The development of employment land in key in locations in Redhill and Horley served by accessible public transport, roads, and non car routes will increase employment opportunities. Encouraging small business may help BME communities. / BME groups will benefit from policies to improve public transport, opportunities to walk, cycle along safe routes. / The Core Strategy seeks to improve and develop a range of community, leisure and social facilities which benefits all groups.
Disability / Increasing the supply of housing, including affordable housing of mixed tenures for people with care and support needs, will provide increased choice for all in terms of property choice and location. The Council is seeking homes built to Lifetime Homes standard, and sites for Extra Care schemes. / The development of employment land in sustainable locations served by accessible public transport, roads, and non car routes will increase employment opportunities. Promoting and delivering educational opportunities including developing vocational and skills improvement will help people with disabilities enter employment. / Accessible local services in convenient locations will benefit people with disabilities. Transport choice - more accessible, convenient public transport, promotion of more non-car routes, coupled with improvements to highways particularly along key transport routes. / Improve and deliver community and leisure facilities, improved open space and play space to promote healthier lifestyles. Improve accessibility to services in terms of building design and transport to ensure they meet the needs of the local community.
Improve accessibility through good design, improved public transport, walking and cycling routes.
Sexual Orientation / Increasing the supply of a range of homes to meet a range of needs with choice of unit type and location will meet the range of housing needs required by LBGT. / No impact identified. / Developing safe public transport options, and alternatives such as safe walking and cycling routes, designing out crime, including ‘over looked’ areas in the public realm will contribute towards improved personal safety for all groups including LGBT. / The Core Strategy seeks to improve and develop a range of community, leisure and social facilities which benefits all groups.
Age / Increasing the supply of a range of homes to meet families, couples and singles to provide choice on unit type and location. Seeking homes built to Lifetime Homes standard, and sites for Extra Care schemes for older people. / The provision of jobs, in sustainable locations with public transport, walking / cycling routes will help address worklessness which is a key cause of child poverty. Promote and deliver educational opportunities including developing vocational and skills improvement will help young and older people enter or re-enter employment, as can providing affordable childcare. / The emphasis on sustainable development minimising the need to travel and increased opportunities to walk, cycle or use public transport will help all groups, in particular young and older people. Infrastructure delivery will provide a range of accessible leisure and community facilities, new or improved open space and multi use community facilities to meet the needs of mixed communities. / Provide improved access to the ‘green’ network. Provide community and leisure facilities, improved open space and play space to promote healthier lifestyles that tackle childhood obesity.
Provide and or / improve community facilities, local services, including healthcare to meet the needs of the community including young and older people.
Improve accessibility through good design, improved public transport, walking and cycling routes.
Religion or Belief / See Race. / No impact identified. / See Race. / Provide and or / improve community facilities, local services, including healthcare to meet the social and cultural needs of BME communities.

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