3. Consideration of available data and research
This section provides an overview of the data and research that was considered in the draft EQIA report.
Demographic make-up of Belfast’s resident population
A breakdown of Belfast’s resident population is included in appendix 3. It is drawn from the most up-to-date data available at the time when the draft EQIA report was being prepared, namely the 2011 Census, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency’s mid-year population estimates and 2019 local council elections.
Council policies and strategies
Equality scheme
The council’s revised Equality Scheme (approved in 2021) sets out Belfast City Council’s arrangements for complying with the equality duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It includes a commitment to provide information in alternative formats on request were reasonably practicable. The scheme states that alternative formats may include Easy Read, Braille, audio formats (CD, mp3 or DAISY), large print or minority languages to meet the needs of those for whom English is not their first language.
Language strategy
Belfast City Council’s 2018 Language Strategy aspires to create a place where linguistic diversity is celebrated and respected. It has two key purposes.
- To protect and promote awareness of our indigenous languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots.
- To promote access to, inclusion of and awareness of other languages including sign languages, the languages of new communities who live in Belfast and languages and communication for disabled people
Good Relations strategy
Under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, all public bodies, including Belfast City Council must have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious beliefs, political opinion or racial group.
The council’s Good Relations Strategy was adopted in 2019. It states that it “aims to promote sharing over separation and the economic, social and environmental benefits of such. We need to continue to create spaces for communities to interact and make connections with each other, moving from parallel living to meaningful relationships and casual interactions”.
It also sets down the five outcomes it seeks to achieve.
- Outcome one: Strong, positive and transformative civic leadership – inclusive governance with community changemakers.
- Outcome two: Shared and connected spaces – a smart, connected city driven by inclusive and transformative place making.
- Outcome three: Shared services – focusing on co-design and social innovation.
- Outcome four: Structured collaboration and partnerships.
- Outcome five: An intercultural city and respectful cultural expression within the rule of law.
The Belfast Agenda
The Belfast Agenda, Belfast’s first community plan, was published in 2017. It is currently being reviewed and revised.
At its core, the Belfast Agenda has the aim of improving the wellbeing of all Belfast citizens, and it has the potential to promote equality of opportunity and good relations, tackle and address issues of exclusion and marginalisation and have a positive impact on all Section 75 groups.
The intended outcomes of the Belfast Agenda are:
- Everyone in Belfast benefits from a thriving and prosperous economy
- Belfast is safe, fair and inclusive for all
- Belfast is a place that is vibrant, attractive, connected and environmentally sustainable
- Everyone experiences good health and wellbeing
- Everyone fulfils their potential
It is underpinned by values including “A focus on outcomes for people”, “Equality and good relations” and “Inclusiveness, care and compassion”. It recognises the need to “deliver services differently, in a more integrated way that is focused on the needs of people and helps them participate fully in the life of the city.”
Corporate Plan
The draft Corporate Plan (2019 to 2023) supports the Belfast Agenda through its themes of:
- Growing the economy
- Living here
- Working and learning
- City development
- Resilience and sustainability
Cross-cutting priorities, including implementing the Good Relations Strategy and developing and implementing the city’s cultural strategy, A City Imagining
It also introduces a number of organisational capabilities required to deliver excellent service and city leadership. Priorities under organisational capabilities include data development, people development, customer focus, continuous improvement and equality, diversity and inclusion.
City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy
Published in 2015, the City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy recognises that Belfast:
“city centre is one of the most important places in Northern Ireland. [It is] where investment impact can be maximised, where rates are generated and where momentum can be built to support growth in the surrounding neighbourhoods.”
Inner North Belfast (including the North Street and Royal Avenue intersection) is recognised as a special action area which “should be home to Belfast’s growing learning and innovation culture” and considers opportunities for a “creative hub”.
A City Imagining
A City Imagining, Belfast City Council’s cultural strategy for 2020 to 2030, places culture and creativity at the heart of civic development.
There are four themes within the strategy.
- A City Belonging (active participation): Priorities under this theme will support citizens to be active agents of change and co-creators of cultural activity.
- A City Challenging (diversity): Priorities under this theme will aspire to cultivate creative environments for dynamic co-creation and synergy in our placemaking.
- A City Creating (new approaches): Priorities under this theme will facilitate and explore new ways of working, taking more risks and helping artists to have more autonomy to engage with citizens in new and creative ways.
- A City Exploring (our place in the world): Priorities under this theme will sustain, strengthen and develop the city’s cultural ecosystem.
It identifies a major cultural attraction that will be shaped by the stories of local people, attract visitors and connect to the city’s wider cultural offering as a strategic project.
Make Yourself at Home
Belfast City Council’s tourism strategy (2022) places authentic, local stories as key to attracting visitors to the city. It identifies Belfast Stories as a physical home for some of these stories and the flagship investment in product development in the city:
“Belfast Stories is a transformational project designed to capture the unique spirit of Belfast. This major regeneration and tourism anchor will help revitalise our city centre, allowing people to connect with the city and one another through stories, screens and social spaces.”
It details how the physical building and its contents will be supported by wider programmes of storytelling and development.
Consultation and engagement framework
Belfast City Council’s Consultation and Engagement Framework describes a broad spectrum of two-way communication (from consultation to engagement to involvement) between the council and its residents and stakeholders. It recognises that effective dialogue helps make decisions, policies and services that are better suited to the people they are intended to benefit.
Findings from consultation to date
Engagement around the concept of Belfast Stories (previously known as Belfast Destination Hub) has been ongoing since 2014 when the need for a new major visitor attraction in the city was identified. It has subsequently been formally consulted on during public consultations on the council’s Belfast Agenda, Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment, A City Imagining and Make Yourself at Home strategies.Footnote five
The concept Belfast Stories has been broadly welcomed in all consultation and engagement carried out to date.Footnote six Findings relevant to the draft EQIA included:
- Cost may be a barrier, particularly to families and younger people
- Transportation can be a barrier, particularly for older people
- Need to follow inclusive design principles
- Equality considerations should “go beyond” the statutory requirements
Consultation on the draft framework for collecting stories
The draft framework for collecting stories was developed by Lord Cultural Resources in consultation with over 50 stakeholders including representatives from museums, libraries, archives and other collections. Consultees identified that the following voices are more likely to be missing from or underrepresented voices in current stories and collections:
- Women
- Youth (includes teenagers and student population)
- Children
- Elderly
- Religious and ethnic minorities
- Transient/migrant populations
- LGBTQ+
- Marginalized people (prisoners/ex-prisoners, children in foster care, homeless, refugees, illegal workers)
- People with special needs
Other relevant research
Equality screening
Belfast City Council’s equality screening of the Belfast Stories outline business case found that:
“There is nothing inherent in the principles underpinning the concept of the Belfast Stories to indicate an adverse impact on one or more of the Section 75 groups. Instead, the concept will follow inclusivity principles for all residents and visitors […] will bring about advantages to Belfast citizens irrespective of their identity.”
However, it continues “The Belfast Stories aspects of this project needs to ensure equal representation of residents and visitors of different [identities]”.
As a result, it recommends that an EQIA should be carried out, potentially at key milestones such as concept, design and content stages.
Engagement with culture among equality groups
Belfast Stories will use expressions of culture to attract visitors. Stories can relate to heritage as well as about the present and the future. They can be drawn from existing archives, libraries, museums and other collections. They may be expressed through film, literature, visual arts, sound, digital technology and other creative mediums.
Appendix 5 considers how different people and groups across the different equality categories may engage with culture.
Footnotes
Footnote five: Variously referred to as a destination or creative hub
Footnote six: See appendix 4 for participating organisations
