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Belfast Urban Innovation Framework
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 Officers (job-share) Stella Gilmartin or Lorraine Dennis on extension 6026/6027or 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 website.
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.
Section A
Details about the policy / decision to be screened
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1. Title of policy / decision to be screened:- |
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Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework 2022-2026 |
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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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In 2017, Belfast City Council published its first Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework. It set out the guiding principles and foundations needed to harness innovation, technology and data science to contribute to the success of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan. The council has refreshed the Belfast Urban Innovation Framework for 2022-2026 to reflect the challenges and opportunities of the next three to five years and to incorporate the practice and learning from the outcomes of the 2017-2021 framework. The new framework outlines the supporting pillars needed to maximise urban innovation in Belfast and strengthen the city’s urban innovation ecosystem. It also outlines the council’s key urban innovation initiatives and plan for a Belfast ‘Smart District’ which will enable new technologies to be developed, tested and deployed to help address city challenges |
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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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The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges in areas such as sustainable mobility, urban healthy living, energy, tourism, re-imagining the high street and digitalising city services. It also considers how digital innovation can best contribute to the council’s priorities for city growth, economic recovery and our response to climate change, and the growing impact of new technologies on urban policy and planning. It outlines how the Belfast Smart District and urban innovation initiatives will help to address Belfast’s major challenges and support the council’s ambitions for the city; and the seven key enablers needed to make the Smart District a success. The framework also outlines the key drivers of urban innovation; the eight underlying supporting ‘pillars’ needed to maximise urban innovation in Belfast; and the key tasks that partners need to complete to strengthen these pillars. |
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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/NO |
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Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office will deliver the Belfast Smart District and associated projects and programmes, and support the wider urban innovation ecosystem in Belfast. The team will collaborate with departments across the council on the delivery of urban innovation projects. |
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Service users |
YES/NO |
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It is envisaged that the framework will impact on businesses, researchers, universities, innovators and government working within the urban innovation ecosystem in Belfast. |
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Other public sector organisations |
YES/NO |
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The NI Government Departments, specifically Department for the Economy and Department for Infrastructure, and Invest NI all have a role to play in Belfast’s urban innovation ecosystem, with responsibility for relevant policy, legislation, business support, and funding and investment. The Belfast Region City Deal Executive Board (including NI Executive, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council) are working together to deliver the digital strand of the City Deal which is funding some of the Belfast digital projects outlined in the framework. |
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Voluntary / community groups / trade unions |
YES/NO |
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Community and voluntary groups may be involved in various urban innovation projects, such as the proposed Citizen Office of Digital Innovation. |
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Others, please specify |
YES/NO |
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The council is working with Innovation City Belfast, the city’s innovation leadership partnership to support the city’s wider innovation ambitions and urban innovation ecosystem. The partnership includes Belfast Harbour, Belfast Met, Catalyst, Ulster University, Queen’s University and Invest NI. The outworkings of the framework may impact on all those who live in, work in, study in, invest in or visit Belfast |
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5. Are there linkages to other Agencies/ Departments? |
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The delivery of a vibrant urban innovation ecosystem and tackling urban challenges will require collaborative working and partnership across several organisations in the public, private and academic sectors. Key organisations include: Government and other public bodies
Institutions
Private sector
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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
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6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved |
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A consultation and survey on the Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework took place on BCC’s YourSay engagement platform from 18 January – 15 March 2022 at https://yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfast-urban-innovation-framework. The consultation was promoted via BCC’s communication channels (websites, social media and PR) and networks, as well as part of a Queen’s University ‘Planning the Post-Pandemic City’ online lecture series hosted by the Planning Society. Engagement activity also included information briefings with elected members, BCC staff and the Innovation City Belfast partnership. The public consultation on the framework builds on extensive engagement activities with local businesses, government bodies, academic institutions, charities and other city stakeholders carried out by the council in 2019-2020, supported by German Smart Cities consultants, BABLE, Fraunhofer IAO, Fraunhofer FOKUS, and Eindhoven Brainport. This engagement activity included five workshops with a total of 176 participants and interviews with 120 stakeholders to help inform the development of the Belfast Smart District and the city’s urban innovation ecosystem. |
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7. Available evidence. 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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Policy Context UK policy and strategy
Build Back Better: Our Plan for Growth (2021) This framework sets out the UK Government’s plans to support growth through significant investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation, and to pursue growth that levels up every part of the UK. Innovation drives economic growth and creates jobs. The UK has a world-leading research base, which will be boosted by the government’s significant uplift in R&D investment to fund high-risk, high-reward research. However, too few businesses are able to access the tools they need to translate new ideas into new products and services and to challenge established businesses. The Government aims to make the UK the best ecosystem in the world for starting and growing a business. That means having the best access to capital, skills and ideas, as well as a smart and stable regulatory framework.
UK Digital Strategy (2022) This strategy outlines the UK government's vision for harnessing digital transformation and building a more inclusive, competitive and innovative digital economy.
Next Generation Mobile Technologies: A 5G Strategy for the UK (2017) This strategy sets out the UK Government’s ambition that the UK should be a global leader in 5G so that it can take early advantage of its potential and help to create a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone. The 5G Strategy identifies the actions that the UK government will take to realise their aim for the UK to be a world leader in 5G.
UK National Data Strategy (2020) The UK Government’s National Data Strategy is an ambitious, pro-growth strategy that aims to drive the UK in building a world-leading data economy while ensuring public trust in data use. Data is now the driving force of the world’s modern economies. It fuels innovation in organisations large and small, across the private, public and third sectors.
UK AI Strategy (2021) The UK Government’s National AI Strategy builds on the UK’s strengths but also represents the start of a step-change for Artificial Intelligence in the UK, recognising the power of AI to increase resilience, productivity, growth and innovation across the private and public sectors.
Northern Ireland policy and strategy 10X Economy – an economic vision (2021) The Department for the Economy has outlined its economic vision for the next 10 years in its ‘10X Economy – an economic vision for a decade of innovation’. The concept embraces innovation to deliver a ten times (10X) better economy with benefits for all the people of Northern Ireland. It focuses on key sectors including digital and ICT, creative industries, fintech, life and health sciences, advanced manufacturing and agri-tech.
NI Innovation Strategy (2014) Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2014 – 2025, launched by the Department for the Economy, aims to deliver a vision that: Northern Ireland, by 2025, will be recognized as an innovation hub and will be one of the UK’s leading high-growth, knowledge-based regions which embraces creativity and innovation at levels of society.
Belfast policy and strategy The Belfast Agenda (2017) The vision for Belfast in 2035 set out in the Belfast Agenda is: “Belfast will be a city re-imagined and resurgent. A great place to live and work for everyone. Beautiful, well connected and culturally vibrant, it will be a sustainable city shared and loved by all its citizens, free from the legacy of conflict. A compassionate city offering opportunities for everyone. A confident and successful city energising a dynamic and prosperous city region. A magnet for talent and business and admired around the world. A city people dream to visit.” The Belfast Agenda has ambitious targets of:
Belfast Resilience Strategy (2020) Belfast City Council’s elected members declared a climate emergency in October 2019. The Belfast Resilience Strategy – the city’s first climate plan - aims to:
Bolder Vision for Belfast (2022 A Bolder Vision s an ambitious blueprint to explore a shared approach to creating a more attractive, accessible, safe and vibrant city. Developed jointly by Belfast City Council, Department for Communities and Department for Infrastructure, the vision is built on the principles of:
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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 |
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Religious belief |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities, and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group.
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Minor positive |
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Political opinion |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group.
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Minor positive |
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Racial group |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group.
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Minor positive |
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Age |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group.
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Minor positive |
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Marital status |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group. |
Minor positive |
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Sexual orientation |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group. |
Minor positive |
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Men and women generally |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group. |
Minor positive |
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Disability |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group. |
Minor positive |
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Dependants |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. There is potential for minor positive impact relevant to the equality of opportunity of this group. |
Minor positive |
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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 |
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Religious belief |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens.
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Not applicable |
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Political opinion |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens.
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Not applicable |
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Racial group |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Age |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Marital status |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Sexual orientation |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Men and women generally |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Disability |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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Dependants |
The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to support innovators from across local industry, our universities and the public sector to work better together in addressing Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation.
It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable |
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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 |
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Religious belief |
It is our belief that there would likely be a minor positive impact on people of different religious beliefs in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Minor positive |
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Political opinion |
It is our belief that there would likely be a minor positive impact on people of different religious beliefs in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Minor positive |
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Racial group |
It is our belief that there would likely be a minor positive impact on people of different religious beliefs in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Minor positive |
| 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 |
If No, provide reasons |
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Religious belief |
It is our belief that there would be opportunities to promote good relations between people of different religious beliefs in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable. |
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Political opinion |
It is our belief that there would be opportunities to promote good relations between people of different political beliefs in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable. |
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Racial group |
It is our belief that there would be opportunities to promote good relations between people of different racial groups in that the framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. It should be noted that any significant projects in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will be driven by a strong focus on outcomes for the city, businesses and citizens. |
Not applicable. |
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
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12. Does this proposed policy / decision provide an opportunity for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people? |
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The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework will have no direct impact on disabled people. Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will consider these issues separately. |
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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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The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework will have no direct impact on disabled people. Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will consider these issues separately. |
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14. Multiple Identities Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities. |
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Not applicable
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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 |
| Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will consider these issues separately and monitor as required. | Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will consider these issues separately and monitor as required. | Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and will consider these issues separately and monitor as required. |
Section D
Formal Record of Screening Decision
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Title of Proposed Policy / Decision being screened Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework 2022-2026 |
I can confirm that the proposed policy / decision has been screened for –
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equality of opportunity and good relations |
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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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*Screened Out – No EQIA necessary (no impacts) Provide a brief note here to explain how this decision was reached: The Smart Belfast Urban Innovation Framework aims to bring people together from industry, government and universities to collectively address Belfast’s major urban challenges through digital innovation. Each significant project in the programme of work will require equality screening in their own right, if appropriate, and an EQIA will be undertaken if required for these projects. |
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* Screened Out - Mitigating Actions (minor impacts)
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Formal Record of Screening Decision (cont)
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Screening assessment completed by (Officer level) - |
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Name: Paula Fee |
Date: 10 May 2022 |
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Department: City and Organisational Strategy |
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Signature:
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Screening decision approved by - |
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Name: Deborah Colville |
Date: 4 November 2022 |
Department: City and Organisational Strategy
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Signature: |
For more information about equality screening contact –
Stella Gilmartin / Lorraine Dennis
Equality & Diversity Officer (job-share)
Belfast City Council
City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511