Age-friendly Belfast Plan 2022-26 - Equality Screening Template
Equality 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 (job-share) Lorraine Dennis on extension 6027, Lisa McKee on extension 6310 or by email equality@belfastcity.gov.uk
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 website1.
The screening template has 4 sections to complete. These are:
Section A - provides details about the policy / decision that is being screened
Section C - has 4 key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order
Section D - is the formal record of the screening decision.
http://www.equalityni.org/archive/pdf/S75GuideforPublicAuthoritiesApril2010.pdf
Section A
Details about the policy / decision to be screened
1. Title of policy / decision to be screened: - |
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Age Friendly Belfast Plan 2022 -2026 |
2. Brief description of policy / decision to be screened:- (Explain - Is this a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial / legislative / procurement implications?) |
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This is a continuation of the Age Friendly Project. The Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) leads the Age Friendly process supported by Belfast City Council The Age Friendly Belfast second delivery cycle (2018-2021 Age Friendly Action Plan) has been completed and HASP have evaluated the progress, produced an Age- friendly Belfast progress report, and developed a new 4-year plan 2022 -2026 for public consultation Currently there are no legislative or procurement implications, but The Belfast Agenda commits us to ensure an Age Friendly Belfast. Financial implications relate to the implementation of the Age Friendly Belfast Plan, and Belfast City Council Contribution is covered through existing resources. Age Friendly BackgroundIn 2012, Belfast City Council All Party Reference Group on Older People provided the initial leadership to explore Belfast becoming an Age Friendly City. Subsequently, in May 2012, the Lord Mayor signed a declaration committing Belfast to this process That commitment was reconfirmed within the Belfast Agenda. An Age Friendly City must:
It was clear that in order to consider and develop these domains we would have to work in partnership with a wide range of voluntary, community and public organisations providing services for older people. Many of the organisations were already members of the then Belfast Strategic Partnership (BSP) which had identified healthy ageing as a priority within its Framework for Action to reduce life inequalities in Belfast. It was therefore agreed by Council that BSP should lead the Age Friendly process supported by the existing Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership. The Belfast Strategic Partnership no longer exists so HASP is the governance lead. It is also clear that a wide range of Council Departments and Services are essential to the features of an Age Friendly city and there is a need to engage senior officers from across the organisation to deliver this project. HASP have been using a range of mechanisms to engage with older people and key stakeholders across the city with a view to identifying priority areas for the next 4 years and updating the baseline assessment. These have included working with community planning and partner organisations to utilise existing data sets. Consultants were commissioned (Eos Community Consulting CIC) to develop a revised baseline report, an impact report with key stakeholders and to co-ordinate a consultation process and ensure links to other Belfast and regional strategies e.g., refreshed Belfast Agenda and co-designing the new regional Active Ageing Strategy. Consultation events and partnership workshops/meetings took place:
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3. Aims and objectives of the policy / decision to be screened:- (What is the policy trying to achieve?
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Our Vision remains Belfast – A City where older people live life to the fullConsultation has identified the following 4 strategic themes and associated actions for the draft AFBP. 1. Infrastructure/getting out and about
2. Social connections
3. Health and wellbeing
4. Financial security/cost of living
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4. On whom will the policy / decision impact? Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain:- |
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Staff |
YES |
Service users |
YES |
Other public sector organizations |
YES |
Voluntary / community groups / trade unions |
YES |
Others, please specify |
NO |
5. Are there linkages to other Agencies/ Departments? |
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The Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) will co-ordinate delivery of the 4 Year Age Friendly Belfast Plan. It will submit a detailed action plan to the World Health Organisation (WHO) with agreed indicators. HASP will periodically monitor and publish progress against the action plan and report to council. After four years HASP will evaluate the project, identify successes and areas for future improvement. The evaluation report will be submitted to BSP and subsequently to WHO. The HASP Age Friendly team will also provide specific support for the development of the positive ageing campaign, Age Friendly charter, intergenerational work and the Age Friendly Convention. Lead organisations as identified will oversee the delivery and performance management of relevant aspects of the Age Friendly action plan and report progress to HASP. HASP involves the following organisations
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Section B
Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has 4 key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved |
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In compiling this report we have drawn upon a range of data, research reports and strategy documents. We specifically refer to the following pieces of work:
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NISRA’s NINIS site and their Belfast Age-friendly profile Consultation events and partnership workshops/meetings took place: |
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Shankill Older People’s Forum | 10 people |
South and East Belfast Older Peoples Forums | 8 people |
West Belfast Seniors Forum | 28 people |
Healthy Living Centres | 2 organisations |
Age Friendly Workshop in Belfast City Hall (older people/representative groups from north, south, east and west of the city) |
80 people |
Public and Voluntary Sector Stakeholders | 40 people/orgs |
Postcard responses | 300 people |
7. Available evidence |
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What evidence / information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence below 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. |
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Section 75 category |
Details of evidence / information and engagement |
Religious belief |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Political opinion |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. The is a Belfast City Council All Party Reference group on Older people that meet quarterly to direct the work of Age Friendly Belfast, they meet with The Greater Belfast Seniors Forum at least annually to discuss issues facing older people. |
Racial group |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. We ensured older BME groups came to consultation event Belfast Health and Social Care Trust completed a report Black and Minority Ethnic Groups: Health and Wellbeing of Older People in Belfast, that we used to identify barriers and create actions. |
Age |
While the WHO Age Friendly process is aimed at older people the plan will benefit all ages. “Older person” means a person aged 60 or over. as stated in the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 We will present the draft plan to BCC youth Forum and ask for feedback. |
Marital status |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Sexual orientation |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. We ensured older LGBTQI+ groups came to consultation event. |
Men & women generally |
Details of the city wide consultation process and evidence gathering are described above. The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. There are older females than males living in Belfast. Men aged 65 and over make up 6.5 per cent of Belfast’s population, and women aged 65 and over make up 8.5 per cent. |
Disability |
Research and work with older people tell us that accessibility is a key consideration when designing services that meet their needs. For some older people accessibility can be compounded by one or more of the additional factors below. The Age friendly Belfast plan considers the additional needs of older people:
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Dependants | A number of the older people consulted would be carers, either for partners, other relatives or grandchildren |
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? |
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Section 75 category |
Likely impact? |
Level of impact? Minor/Major/None |
Religious belief |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Political opinion |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Racial group |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Age |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan thatwill benefit all older people in the city and subsequently all ages. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Marital status |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Sexual orientation |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Men and women generally |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Disability |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. A lot of issues relating to older people also affect disabled people so will benefit them as well. |
Minor/Positive impact |
Dependants |
The Age Friendly Belfast Plan is a city-wide plan that will benefit all older people in the city. |
Minor/Positive impact |
9, Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories? | ||
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Section 75 category |
If Yes, provide details |
If No, provide reasons |
Religious belief |
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Same equality of opportunity for all older people |
Political opinion |
Yes, through Pensioners Parliament and Belfast City Council All Party Reference Group on Older People |
Same equality of opportunity for all older people |
Racial group |
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust completed a report Black and Minority Ethnic Groups: Health and Wellbeing of Older People in Belfast, that we used to identify barriers and create actions. |
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Age |
The plan is primarily aimed at older people although there will be intergenerational activities delivered through the plan. |
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Marital status | There are a number specific groups for men, Mens Sheds and Men United and also some ladies only groups PWA, Knot and Natter etc but also a large number of mixed groups and activities | Same equality of opportunity for all older people |
Sexual orientation | We plan to work with Cara -friend current and future needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender older people in Belfast so we can act on them. | |
Men and women generally | Same equality of opportunity for all older people | |
Disability |
Developing a joined-up approach to engagement and co-design with older people on local and city centre physical developments. Development of age friendly design principles which can be used to inform existing and planned provision and physical developments. Review and improve access to seating and toilets, particularly in the city centre and parks and open spaces. Continue to raise awareness and provide training for service providers on the access needs of older people. |
Same equality of opportunity for all older people |
Dependants | Continue events for carers in particular Dementia Friendly Carers cafes and Bring your Grandparents to the park day |
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? | ||
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Good relations category |
Likely impact? |
Level of impact? Minor/Major/None |
Religious belief |
People from all over the City attend city wide events together |
Minor/Positive impact |
Political opinion | People from all over the City attend city wide events together | Minor/Positive impact |
Racial group | People from all over the City attend city wide events together | Minor/Positive impac |
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? | |
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Good relations category |
If Yes, provide details |
Religious belief |
Yes, People from all over the City attend city wide events together |
Political opinion |
Yes, People from all over the City attend city wide events together |
Racial group |
Yes, People from all over the City attend city wide events together |
Section C
Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order and Questions 12-13 relate to these two areas.
Consideration of Disability Duties
12. Does this proposed policy / decision provide an opportunity for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people? |
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Explain your assessment in full Research and work with older people tell us that accessibility is a key consideration when designing services that meet their needs. For some older people accessibility can be compounded by one or more of the additional factors below. The Age friendly Belfast plan will consider the additional needs of older people:
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13. Does this proposed policy / decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life? |
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Explain your assessment in full Yes, there will be events, activities, influencing new infrastructure work, improving accessibility that will actively increase the participation of disable people in public life. More local events that would be easier for disabled people to access. |
14. Multiple Identities. Specify relevant Section 75 categories concerned. |
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Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities There is no information on the impact of the plan on people with multiple identities, however it is envisaged that there will be opportunities for people with multiple identities to participate, resulting in a positive impact. |
15. Monitoring Arrangements | ||
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Section 75 places a requirement the Council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services etc; and to help identify barriers to fair participation and to better promote equality of opportunity. Outline what data you will collect in the future in order to monitor the impact of this policy / decision on equality, good relations and disability duties. |
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Equality |
Good Relations |
Disability Duties |
We will carry out a midway survey and an end of plan survey and monitor complaints |
We will carry out a midway survey and an end of plan survey and monitor complaints |
We will carry out a midway survey and an end of plan survey and monitor complaints |
Section D
Formal Record of Screening Decision
Title of Proposed Policy / Decision being screened Age Friendly Belfast Plan 2018-2021 |
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I can confirm that the proposed policy / decision has been screened for – |
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x | equality of opportunity and good relations |
x | disabilities duties |
On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy / decision is – – (place an X in the appropriate box below) |
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*Screened In – Necessary to conduct a full EQIA |
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x |
*Screened Out – No EQIA necessary (no impacts) Provide a brief note here to explain how this decision was reached: There is no negative impacts identified |
* Screened Out - Mitigating Actions (minor impacts)
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Formal Record of Screening Decision (cont)
Screening assessment completed by (Officer level) - |
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Name: Gillian McEvoy |
Date: 2/8/2022 |
Department : C&NS |
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Signature: please insert a scanned image of your signature below
Screening decision approved by - |
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Name: David Sales |
Date: 2/2/23 |
Department: C&NS |
Signature: please insert a scanned image of your signature below
Please save the final version of the completed screening form and forward to the Equality and Diversity Officer – equality@belfastcity.gov.uk. The screening form will be placed on the BCC website and a link provided to the Council’s Section 75 consultees.
For more information about equality screening contact –
Lorraine Dennis
Equality & Diversity Officer Belfast City Council
City Hall Belfast BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511 equality@belfastcity.gov.uk