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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 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 website.
The screening template has 4 sections to complete. These are:
Section A - provides details about the policy or decision that is being screened
Section B – gives information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has 4 key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups.
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 or decision to be screened
1. Title of policy or decision to be screened:-
Reopening of access gate into Cherryvale Playing Fields at Rosetta Park or Knockbreda Park. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened:-
(Explain - Is this a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial or legislative or procurement implications?)
The decision to be screened within this equality screening is the decision by members of the People and Communities Committee to open an access gate on Knockbreda Road or Rosetta Park for public access into Cherryvale Playing Fields.
In accordance to Fields Of Trust guidance, Cherryvale Playing Fields would be defined as a LEAP (Locally Equipped Area for Play), the definition of which is detailed as follows:
An area of open space specifically designed and laid out with features including equipment for children who are beginning to play independently. The number and nature of equipment and structures is a matter for local decision, though provision for a minimum number of six play experiences is recommended.
Play features including equipment are an integral part of the LEAP and the attractiveness of such spaces, though it is also important that the space can be used for physical activity and games. LEAPs can also include landscaped areas of play; containing little formal equipment but imaginatively designed and contoured, using as far as is possible natural materials such as logs or boulders which create an attractive setting for play.
The decision was taken by elected member to complete a survey of residents of up to 400m from the gate as Fields of Trust recommend that that the distance from a dwelling to an access point to an open space designated as a Local Equipped Area of Play to be 400m.
3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened:-
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)
The aims and objectives of the decision to be screened was to provide an access point to the residents within a 400m radius of Cherryvale Playing Fields through an access point at Rosetta Park or Knockbreda Road.
At present the only access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields is through the entrance point at Ravenhill Road. As stated previously, Fields of Trust recommend an access point for dwellings within 400m radius (5-minute walk) of an Open Space defined as a Local Equipped Area of Play, and at present the sole access point at Ravenhill Road does not provide this.
The decision to reopen the access point is intended to meet the current guidance to ensure that the provision of outdoor sport, play and informal open space is of a sufficient size to enable effective use. It is designed to allow Cherryvale Playing Fields to be accessible and is in close proximately to dwellings to encourage its continued use.
The screening is to be completed as the guidelines should not be interpreted as maximum levels of provision and that they may have to be adjusted to take account of local circumstances.
4. On whom will the policy or decision impact?
Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain: -
- Staff: No
- Service users: Yes
- Other public sector organizations: Yes
- Voluntary, community groups or trade unions: No
Others, specify
Immediate residents of Rosetta Park and Knockbreda Road could be impacted by higher volumes of traffic and increased footfall around their properties.
5. Are there linkages to other Agencies or Departments?
In order for the decision to progress, Belfast City Council has been engaging with the Department for Infrastructure regarding road safety concerns that have been raised by immediate residents. The Department for Infrastructure has committed to the installation of a pedestrian crossing to be situated at the point Knockbreda Road meets Rosetta Park directly outside of the access point.
Section B
Information on the consultation process and supporting evidence gathered
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
The following pre-consultation has been achieved:
|
P&C Committee |
3 March 2020 |
P&C agreement to commence consultation for opening of gate with immediate neighbours. |
|---|---|---|
|
P&C Committee |
11 August 2020 |
Members agree to conduct a site visit at request of Councillor De Faoite to meet with various user groups to discuss any relevant issues regarding the playing fields. |
|
Site Visit |
3 September 2020 |
Members were advised at the site visit that a survey had been sent to 100 neighbours within the immediate vicinity requesting their views. |
|
P&C Committee |
8 September 2020 |
Councillor Kelly requested the survey be widened to incorporate additional residents. Following discussion, it was subsequently decided to extend the survey scope to a 400-metre radius (that is, approximately within a 5 minute walk) from the gate. |
|
P&C Committee |
9 March 2021 |
Results of the survey presented to members. Members agree in principle to gate reopening, subject to DfI road crossing being installed. The Committee, in reviewing the findings, asked that in an attempt to address the anti-social behavior concerns, that an assessment be carried out in consultation with adjacent residents who might be affected on the possible options to prevent anti-social behavior including new lighting options, anti-graffiti paint and anti-climb paint and additional fencing. |
|
ASB face to face Survey |
May 2021 |
61 were offered opportunity to engage in consultation. (18 responded and three dropped out). Subsequently face to face surveys took place with 15 residents. The results of this survey were included in the draft report December 2021 – this has not been re-submitted to P&C Committee. |
|
Most recent DfI engagement |
November 2021 |
The Department for Infrastructure had identified three potential options for a traffic light system on Knockbreda Road, and in a discussion between council officers and DFI officers in mid-November, DFI notified Council that final plans relating to the second option. |
- The draft BOSS was presented to the ‘Strategy Advisory Group’ for final comment and feedback on 5 December 2018.
Internal
- An internal ‘Strategy Oversight Group’ was set up in 2017 made up of inter-departmental council representatives to provide oversight and guidance. Two meetings were convened with this group and joint workshops (total of four) took place with the external ‘Strategy Advisory Group’.
- An internal operational management group was also established (made up of City Park Managers, Parks Quality Manager and Community Outreach Managers and Officers). This group participated in a workshop and also completed a questionnaire. The workshop and questionnaire was structured in order to gather important qualitative operational information:
- Review and verify open spaces baseline information;
- Identify open space issues; and
- Recommend future open space opportunities and improvements.
- The draft BOSS was presented to the Strategic Planning and Resources and the People and Communities Committee in March 2019 and was subsequently noted at the Planning Committee soon after.
Consultation
Given the linkages with the Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan (GBIP), it was felt that a joint public consultation exercise would be beneficial to maximise responses. The consultation questionnaire was designed to allow respondents to comment on either document or both. The consultation process took place from 17 June until 20 September 2019. During the consultation period we received a total of 96 responses:
- 67 responses via Citizen Space
- 16 hard copy questionnaire responses
- 13 general written submissions
68 responses were from individuals, with 28 from groups or organisations.
7. Available evidence
What evidence or 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.
- Results of the wider survey requested by Cllr Kelly on 8 September 2020 was presented to members. Members agree in principle to gate reopening, subject to DfI road crossing being installed. The Committee, in reviewing the findings, asked that in an attempt to address the anti-social behavior concerns, that an assessment be carried out in consultation with adjacent residents who might be affected on the possible options to prevent anti-social behavior including new lighting options, anti-graffiti paint and anti-climb paint and additional fencing.
- Results of the Anti-Social Behavior Survey that was requested on 9 March 2021 by members of the P&C Committee. During this survey, carried out in May 2021, 61 were offered opportunity to engage in consultation. (18 responded and three dropped out). Subsequently face to face surveys took place with 15 residents.
|
Section 75 category |
Details of evidence or information and engagement |
|---|---|
|
Religious belief |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Political opinion |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Racial group |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Age |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Marital status |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Sexual orientation |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Men and women generally |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Disability |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
|
Dependants |
The pre-consultation, public consultation and research carried out did not produce any evidence relating to this category |
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?
|
Section 75 category |
Likely impact? |
Level of impact? Minor, Major or None |
|---|---|---|
|
Religious belief |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Religious Belief |
None |
|
Political opinion |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Political Opinion |
None |
|
Racial group |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Racial Groups |
None |
|
Age |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Age |
None |
|
Marital status |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Marital Status |
None |
|
Sexual orientation |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Sexual Orientation |
None |
|
Men and women generally |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Men and Woman Generally |
None |
|
Disability |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Disability |
None |
|
Dependants |
The decision to open the access point at Cherryvale is expected to have no impacts on Dependants
|
None |
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?
|
Section 75 category |
If Yes, provide details |
If No, provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
|
Religious belief |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any religious belief to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy, the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Political opinion |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any political opinion to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Racial group |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any racial group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Age |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any age group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Marital status |
|
No - it is our belief that there are no opportunities to better promote the equality of opportunity is the same for a person of any of marital status to access open spaces. |
|
Sexual orientation |
|
No - it is our belief under the new strategy that there are no opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for a person of any sexual orientation to access open spaces. |
|
Men and women generally |
|
No - it is our belief under the new strategy, the equality of opportunity is the same for men and women generally. |
|
Disability |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person of any disability group to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Dependants |
Whilst it is our belief that there is equality opportunity for a person with or without dependants to access open spaces, there is potential to better promote equality of opportunity for people within this category. When referring to the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy the strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
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?
|
Good relations category |
Likely impact? |
Level of impact? Minor, Major or None |
|---|---|---|
|
Religious belief |
Positive impact – The reopening of the access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields relates to three strategic principles outlined within the Belfast Open Spaces Strategy and offer the potential to have a positive impact on good relations between people of different religious beliefs, political opinion and racial groups. The strategic principles are: SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. SP1 is about providing high-quality open spaces that are inviting and safe for everyone to use. Open spaces will be used to encourage community cohesion and social interaction. Some of the opportunities identified include building stronger communities, by providing conciliatory and socially inclusive opportunities for people and groups to interact and meet new people. We will also continue to build relationships across communities to increase confidence using and developing shared open spaces and services. Some headline actions identified include: supporting the development of a sustainable approach to the management and promotion of shared spaces and facilitating stronger community involvement in the management and enhancement of our open spaces. SP2 is about improving access and connections to existing open spaces. Other opportunities identified include working in partnership to release land for open space development and improve access to existing parks and play areas, therefore creating more connected neighbourhoods. Some headline actions identified under SP2 include working in partnership to help remove or improve access continue to work in partnership to support the creation of green space across the open space network. SP7 is about ensuring that our open spaces remain well-used and valued by local communities. As part of this we will continue to provide a diverse programme of events, festivals and activities. We will continue to promote our open spaces as hubs for citywide and local events to as many people as possible. |
None |
|
Political opinion |
||
|
Racial group |
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
|
Good relations category |
If Yes, provide details |
If No, provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
|
Religious belief |
The reopening of the access point into Cherryvale Playing Fields may provide opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion and racial groups. These include actions under SP1: Provide welcoming shared spaces, SP2: Improve Connectivity and SP7: Be celebrated and support learning. |
|
|
Political opinion |
||
|
Racial group |
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 or decision provide an opportunity for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?
Explain your assessment in full
The decision to reopen the access point can relate to the BOSS strategy under SP3: Improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the Council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people.
13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
Explain your assessment in full
The decision to reopen the access point can relate to the BOSS strategy under SP3: Improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the Council to actively increase the participation of disabled people in public life.
14. Multiple Identities
Provide details of data on the impact of the policy on multiple identities
We have collected no data in the development or consultation process of the strategy on the impact of the reopening of Cherryvale Gate on multiple identities.
Specify relevant Section 75 categories concerned.
15. Monitoring Arrangements
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 or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.
|
Equality |
Good Relations |
Disability Duties |
|---|---|---|
|
A Neighbourhood Service Manager will be responsible for the internal implementation of the decision to reopen the access gate into Cherryvale Playing Fields and working externally with partners and stakeholders in order to monitor impacts of this decision on equality, good relations and disability duties. |
||
Section D
Formal Record of Screening Decision
Title of Proposed Policy or Decision being screened
The Reopening of Cherryvale Gate
can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for –
|
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 or decision is:
* Screened Out - Mitigating Actions (no impacts)
- Provide a brief note here to explain how this decision was reached:
- Explain what mitigating actions and or or policy changes will now be introduced:
The screening has indicated that the strategy has the potential to have a positive impact on equal opportunities, good relations and promote open and shared spaces to peoples with disabilities.
It should be noted that the potential for the gate to be opened identifies a range of opportunities to have a positive impact on community relations and welcoming shared spaces.
Screening assessment completed by (Officer level) -
Name: Colin Willetts
Date: 1 August 2022
Department: City and Neighbourhood Services Department
Screening decision approved by -
Name: Stephen Leonard
Date: 1 September 2022
Department: City and Neighbourhood Services Department
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 and Diversity Officer (job-share)
Belfast City Council
City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511