Belfast Stories equality impact assessment

Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that a system be established to monitor the impact of the final policy in order to find out its effect on the relevant groups and subgroups within the equality categories.

The results of ongoing monitoring must be reviewed and published on an annual basis. If the monitoring and analysis of results over a two-year period show that the policy results in greater adverse impact than predicted, or if opportunities arise which would allow for greater equality of opportunity to be promoted, the public authority must ensure that the policy is revised to achieve better outcomes for the relevant equality groups.

Belfast City Council plans to continue to monitor impact throughout the development of Belfast Stories and review it at least annually including:

• at the end of this public consultation period, when the draft EQIA report will be revised, taking into account comments received during the consultation, and a final EQIA report will be prepared for Belfast City Council. The results of the EQIA will be published on the council’s website and intranet and in its annual report to the Equality Commission.
• in summer/autumn 2023 when a report on this stage of the engagement process (design brief to concept design) will be prepared and published on the council’s website
• in 2024 when a further equality screening will be carried out in advance of a public consultation on the concept design
• in 2025 when a further equality screening will be carried out as part of the planning permission and public consultation process

The results of monitoring will be included in Belfast City Council’s annual review on progress to the Equality Commission and in line with the council’s Equality Scheme. If the monitoring and analysis over a two-year period show a greater adverse impact than predicted or if opportunities arise which would allow for greater equality of opportunity to be promoted, Belfast City Council will take measures to achieve better outcomes for the relevant equality groups.