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Published in May 2022
Contents
Overview of 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 Lorraine Dennis on extension 6027 or or Lisa McKee on extension 6310 by email [email protected]
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[1].
The screening template has four 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 four key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups
- Section C has four 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
'Music Matters - a roadmap for Belfast' draft screening
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
(Explain is this a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ policy is new. It cascades from the ten-year cultural strategy, A City Imagining, which was subject to an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) and a Rural Needs Assessment (RNA). In October 2019, Belfast City Council agreed a new ten-year cultural strategy to drive transformation in the city. The Cultural Strategy provides an overarching strategic approach and brought together several areas including tourism, culture, heritage, arts, events and festivals. ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is just one strand of work emanating from the ten-year cultural strategy.
There are four recommendations in ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ policy:
- Leading the Way – The Belfast Music Governance Model
This includes recommendations on a dedicated music officer/office working on strategic delivery. - Take Back the City – The Belfast Music Leadership Model including the recruitment of a new Belfast Music Board to oversee the strategic delivery. Representation on the board must reflect the communities of individuals which our roadmap seeks to support, that is creators, sectoral workers, the live music sector, and the people of the city. In addition, a Reserved Seats Policy is recommended to ensure that individuals from under-represented communities (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, Disabled, LGBT+, Women) and under-represented genres have a voice in the discussions relating to the future of music in Belfast. This approach has been inspired by the Musicians’ Union approach to its Section Committees.
- Friends of Belfast Music – Partners and Allies group including developing partnerships with Arts Council NI, Tourism NI and BBC to deliver on shared ambitions.
- Something to Sing About – Belfast Music Branding and Communications Strategy including promotion of our UNESCO City of Music status locally and internationally
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ will be presented to the City Growth and Regeneration Committee in March 2022. Where permission is granted by members to undertake a 12-week public consultation period, this draft Equality Screening form will be updated, based on further evidence arising from the consultation.
It is also anticipated that any significant investment programmes emerging from this plan, will be subject to appropriate equality considerations.
3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)
The aim of ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is to support the stabilisation and post COVID-19 recovery of the music sector in Belfast whilst also delivering on the ambitions laid out in the UNESCO City of Music commitments and ensuring cultural policy is embedded into wider city development and growth. Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music designation in 2021, celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage and recognising the importance of music to its future.
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ vision is to wholly support musicians and those working in music with the development of their talent and ideas, whilst embedding music and access to it in all parts of the City. This aim is underpinned by a set of core values which will inform our actions and commitments – belonging, collaboration, fairness, inclusion and respect.
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ will deliver on the strategic ambitions of the council’s Cultural Strategy, as music has a central role to play in achieving these ambitions. The Belfast Agenda is expanded upon in Belfast’s Cultural Strategy 2020-20not applicable30, A City Imagining. It is focused on promoting cultural rights, sustainably growing Belfast’s cultural ecosystem, expanding local and international connections and increasing competitiveness. Supported initiatives include a green policy for festivals, a visitor experience plan harnessing Belfast’s uniqueness, and a start-up programme for creative entrepreneurs, all of which complements ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’.
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ focuses on four strategic themes (with 16 associated priorities and 64 actions):
Theme 1: Place artists at the heart - Recognising the value of creators
Priority 1: Increase the financial investment by reviewing and enhancing funding programmes for music creatives and making careers in music in Belfast more accessible and sustainable.
Priority 2: Explore and develop professional development opportunities to educate and equip music creators with the critical knowledge, contacts, and tools for building a sustainable career within the sector.
Priority 3: Open up the Belfast music sector by creating opportunities for music creatives to connect and collaborate with their peers locally, nationally and internationally.
Priority 4: In partnership with local communities, design and implement a series of initiatives to ensure that music is inclusive, accessible and open to everyone in our city.
Theme 2: Nurture the sector - Strengthening the structures to support those who guide and invest in creators
Priority 5: Increase the financial assistance available to freelancers, organisations and businesses whose primary role is to enable, support and develop creators.
Priority 6: Explore and develop professional development opportunities to educate and equip music organisations and businesses to build sustainable career pathways within the sector.
Priority 7: Prioritise the sustainable growth of the music business sector through initiatives supporting entrepreneurialism, meaningful business development and export opportunities.
Priority 8: Working stakeholders to drive forward the creation of funded opportunities to engage and support the future generation of creative freelancers, cultural leaders and music business entrepreneur.
Theme 3: Ignite the live experience - Liberating the live music sector as a major catalyst for cultural and economic growth
Priority 9: Deliver a series of measures that would facilitate the development of a thriving, sustainable and strong live music sector in the wake of COVID-19 including a review of the existing licensing frameworks that impact upon the potential for growth of Belfast’s live music sector.
Priority 10: Enhance Belfast’s night-time economy, culture and governance to ensure the city is fulfilling its economic and cultural potential after dark.
Priority 11: Support venues and performance spaces in implementing initiatives to ensure the health and safety, both physically and in terms of mental wellbeing, of performers and attendees at live music events.
Priority 12: Lead the charge in greening the live music sector, embedding sustainability at the heart of its approach to business operations.
Theme 4: Unlock the unifying power of UNESCO - Sharing the gift of music with the people of Belfast
Priority 13: Give the people of Belfast greater ownership over, and involvement in, music activities and events across the city.
Priority 14: Through improved and enhanced strategic communications, make it easier for locals and visitors to find out about the music events and activities taking place across Belfast.
Priority 15: Take an innovative and creative approach to music activities, ensuring citizens and visiting audiences have access to incredible and unique music experiences which reflect the culture, heritage and ambition of Belfast.
Priority 16: Partner with tourism bodies, Sister Cities and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to promote Belfast, and Northern Ireland, as a must-visit destination for any music lover.
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.
| People | Actual or potential impact |
|---|---|
| Staff | Yes |
| Service users | Yes |
| Other public sector organisations | Yes |
| Voluntary, community groups and trade unions | Yes |
| Others, please specify | Yes |
Businesses, including trade bodies (for example, Belfast Chamber, Belfast Business Improvement Districts), Belfast Buildings Trust, community music projects, management/owners of music venues and studios, individual artists and organisations within the cultural sector, travel and transport organisations, organisations within the tourism, hospitality, culture, heritage, arts and educational/training sectors, residents and visitors to the city. Music umbrella support organisations such as Musicians’ Union, Help Musicians, UK Music and PRS.
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
As well as linkages to teams within the Place and Economy Department, there are linkages to other council departments including Corporate Communications and Legal Services. Externally there are linkages to Arts Council NI, BBC, Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland, Department for Communities, Department for Economy and Visit Belfast, British Council, Ulster University, Queen’s University. Belfast Festivals Forum representing a wide range of festivals that include music across Belfast.
Section B
Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations.
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
Achieved through the Cultural Strategy: A City Imagining
‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ was developed under the strategic ambitions of the Cultural Strategy: A City Imagining, which set out priorities on how we will deliver on the Belfast Agenda’s vision for Belfast to be a culturally vibrant city. During the Cultural Strategy consultation, information was elicited from 3,264 people. Throughout the city, 86 events were held which included a creative lock-in and 1,089 members of public attended a city centre consultation hub. Specific sessions were held with Section 75 specialist groups including Sure Start (to reach parentsor guardians and their children), disability groups, the council’s Youth Forum and VOYPIC (to reach young people in care), a refugee and asylum seekers and the council’s Older People’s Forum. This informed the Cultural Strategy and implementation plans that are designed to deliver a people-focused approach, to allow people to express their cultural identities, and support high quality cultural events that are accessible, diverse and inclusive. Public consultation report is published on the council's Minutes website (link opens in new window).
Engagement with the music sector and the city
The council assembled a City of Music Steering group in 2019. This group represents various music genres and backgrounds in the private and public sectors. The City of Music Steering Group led on an application to UNESCO to designate Belfast as a City of Music status and the application was successful. This application was submitted by Belfast City Council following extensive engagement and partnership work.
Belfast’s UNESCO conversation began in 2017 when the council asked 20,000 people — ‘What does home mean to you?’ It emerged that for many, home is an emotional connection — a sense of belonging and within those responses, music was a recurring theme.
The council appointed two consultancy firms via the Sound Diplomacy and Fourth Pillar to research and develop recommendations for a ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’. Targeted engagement included:
- 27 City of Music Steering Group meetings with 20 members representing various genres and city stakeholders such as Tourism NI, BBC, British Council and Arts Council NI;
- an online survey on music (both for audiences and sector workers) attracted over 1500 responses;
- 45 one-to-one meetings with music and city stakeholders representing a variety of expertise; and
- six round table workshops about music recovery for artists and music sector workers.
Planned consultation
Political engagement: At a meeting of City Growth and Regeneration Committee (CG&R) in June 2021, it was agreed that a music strategy would be developed to support the application to become a UNESCO City of Music. On 9 March 2022, the CG&R Committee (link opens in new window) gave their approval to commence a public 12-week consultation. Further engagement will take place with members and the final strategy will be subject to approval.
Online citizens and stakeholder engagement: The council will undertake an online 12-week consultation on the council’s YourSay engagement platform to gather information, and this will provide an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to review proposals, provide feedback and help shape the final plan.
Workshops and presentations to community music organisations and music businesses and partners. A series of themed workshops/Q&A sessions are planned (online and face to face).
The council’s Section 75 consultee list: The council will issue the consultation to our Section 75 list, which will give representative groups an opportunity to respond.
Presentations and Q&A sessions to be provided to:
- The council’s Equality Consultative Forum
- Youth Forum
- Migrant Forum
- Disability Advisory Panel and
- Older Peoples’ Forum
by council officers between April to June 2022.
The council’s stakeholder list: The council will issue the consultation to a wide range of organisations including Visit Belfast, Community music projects via Failte Feirste Thair, Eastside Partnership, Shankill Partnership and South Belfast Partnership, music sector businesses, music representatives, individual artists and music organisations within the cultural sector, the council’s core-multi-annual grant programme awardees, music-based organisations and venues within the tourism, culture heritage and arts sectors including Cathedral Quarter Trust, Duncairn Arts Centre, Crescent Arts Centre, Oh Yeah Music Centre, Black Box, Andersonstown School of Music, Belfast Tradfest, Belfast International Arts Festival, Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. The individuals on the City of Music Steering Group representing a variety of genres and positions in the music sector and the city stakeholders within this group Arts Council NI, BBC, British Council and Tourism NI. (This list provides a sample of organisations for example purposes).
Throughout the consultation period, officers will respond to requests for one-to-one meetings and presentations with a variety of stakeholders across the city, giving the opportunity for focused and in-depth engagement with stakeholders. This will help to foster a greater understanding of how ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ can feed into their field of work, as well as identifying opportunities for city wide partnership working and collaboration.
7. Available evidence
What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence 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.
According to statistics within ‘Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’:
- In 2020, Belfast City Council contracted Sound Diplomacy consultancy firm to conduct research, analyse the Belfast music ecosystem and engage with the music sector. Recommendations were made for post-COVID-19 recovery and for sectoral development. Sound Diplomacy is the global expert in developing long term and self-sufficient music strategies. Its work focuses on exploring how best to support the evolution and recovery of the sector from COVID-19. Their body of research and engagement work fed into the content of our first ever strategic music roadmap for Belfast. This engagement included:
- an online survey with over 1500 responses
- 12 one-to-one workshops with city stakeholders and
- six sectoral roundtables hosted by Sound Diplomacy.
This engagement was built upon by The Fourth Pillar, Morgan Young Consulting and Score Draw Music in developing this roadmap and its strategic recommendations. More than 30 meetings and video calls, spanning a three-month period were held with the City of Music Steering Group and its stakeholders, music and community organisations, experts in the field of equity, access and inclusion, audience development, indigenous music, as well as one-to-one sessions with interested parties.
Economic impact analysis
As part of its contribution to the roadmap, The Fourth Pillar, Morgan Young Consulting and Score Draw Music conducted an economic impact analysis.Figures relate to 2019, prior to the global pandemic and the devastating impact that COVID-19 brought to the lives and livelihoods of many.
In 2019, the Belfast music ecosystem delivered a total economic impact of 3,131 jobs – representing 2.05 per cent of the city’s employment. It generated a total output of £346.8 million and a total gross value added (GVA) of £171.4m.
Table of Belfast music ecosystem's impacts
| Type of impact | Employment (jobs) | Output (£million) | Gross value added (£million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct |
1,781 |
180 | 84.27 |
| Indirect |
562 |
89.18 | 43.15 |
| Induced |
787 |
77.63 | 46.96 |
| Total impact |
3,131 |
346.82 | 174.38 |
Employment in music
To put the size of the Belfast music ecosystem into perspective, the employment generated in 2019 (1,781 jobs) represented 1.16 per cent of the workforce in Belfast, which is a bigger contribution than other sectors such as Construction (1,300 employees) and Advertising Market Research (458).
Sectoral strengths
Most of the direct economic value of the sector is created by the live music and touring sub sector (72 per cent), while recording, publishing and radio broadcasting represent 12 per cent and 9 per cent respectively. The remaining percentage groups are:
- music creation (3 per cent)
- instruments and equipment stores (2 per cent)
- music education (2 per cent)
The wider economic impact of music
In 2019, the indirect economic impact of the music ecosystem in Belfast reached an output of £89.2 million and a GVA of £43 million. At the same time, it is estimated that 563 jobs in Belfast were indirectly supported by the music ecosystem in 2019. The induced economic impact is the economic value (output, GVA and employment) derived from the spending of workers whose wages are supported directly and indirectly by the Belfast music ecosystem (for example money spent on services, food, entertainment, and transportation). The induced output of the music ecosystem in the city reached £77 million, a GVA of £47 million in 2019, and supported 787 jobs.
The income of music workers
According to the NISRA Business and Employment Survey 2019, the average income of music ecosystem workers in Belfast was £19,127, this is 27.09 per cent smaller than the average income for all Belfast employees. Both employees and freelancers in the ecosystem are mainly working full-time (45 per cent) and, prior to COVID-19, their music-related activities constituted 69 per cent of their total income. The main type of contract is as a freelancer (51 per cent).
The impact of COVID-19 in 2020
At the time of the economic study, Sound Diplomacy estimated the losses at that moment in time in the direct economic output of the music sector in Belfast. Calculations show that losses reached £126 million during 2020 (70 per cent). Live music and touring was the most affected segment, with estimated losses of £121 million (96 per cent of total losses), while the losses of the other segments (recording and publishing, music creativity, instruments and equipment, supporting industry, and education) reached an estimated loss in output of approximately £5 million.
Around 950 employees (53 per cent of the direct music ecosystem employees) were negatively affected by the pandemic. However, thanks to job retention schemes, job losses were not as drastic. By 2020, only 2 per cent of the music ecosystem employees were made redundant, while 12 per cent and 39 per cent suffered permanent reductions in working hours or went into furlough respectively. The survey also revealed that most employees and freelancers in the sector (64 per cent and 82 per cent respectively) suffered a considerable decrease in their annual incomes during 2020.
Prior to COVID-19, music venues had as their main source of revenue ticket sales (26.8 per cent) and bar or food sales (21.4 per cent). Following the onset of COVID-19, 78 per cent had to cancel music performances altogether, making most live music venues (89 per cent) highly dependent on government support.
Since COVID-19, the average decrease in income for the music ecosystem was 70.29 per cent. Regardless of the size of the business or the average annual income, the impact was significant. The decrease was more accentuated for live music venues (95 per cent) and the recording industry (for example label, publisher or distributor) with an average decrease of 82.5 per cent, compared to artist management (50 per cent), music or instrument retailers (40 per cent) and sound recording companies (3.3 per cent).
According to the Musicians' Union research, music forms a crucial part of the creative economy in Northern Ireland, with the industry contributing almost £70m in annual gross value added (GVA) to the local economy, with a further £8m generated through music related tourism.[2] Their research indicated that one third (34 per cent) of musicians were considering abandoning the industry completely due to the acute financial hardship they face as a result of the pandemic. In April 2021, they reported that nearly half of their members were forced to seek work outside of the industry and 70 per cent were unable to undertake more than a quarter of their usual work.
Summary of research to date
There is active community participation in music as well as a professional music industry base, albeit the latter is under-developed. There is existing support from public funders and local businesses and an appetite to do more. All of this has created a strong international profile where local music regularly punches above its weight, as other countries connect with and look to us.
Feedback and views from the sector and the city’s people indicates:
- A great need for additional spaces and resources to support musicians and creators across all genres – not just the commercially popular ones
- The need to strike a balance between recognising and celebrating our music heritage whilst driving a forward-thinking and modern-day music identity
- The need to safeguard talent retention and development, particularly in light of COVID-19, to create a more accessible music scene for artists and audiences
- A gap in the value chain from grassroots to international, whether in infrastructure, opportunity, agency, or management
- Strengths in identifying and working with musicians when they are emerging but that upon reaching a tipping point, they often leave, disappear or are unable to fulfil their potential
- A need to engage equally with both the private and not-for-profit sectors, valuing music in the community as well as the commercial music potential
- Historically, we acknowledge that there has been a dichotomy in Belfast, either economy or culture, but as a UNESCO City of Music, this is our opportunity to bridge the two.
| Section 75 category | Details of evidence, information and engagement |
|---|---|
| Religious belief |
The 2011 Census indicates that 48.8 per cent of Belfast residents are from a Catholic community background and 42.5 per cent are from a Protestant and other Christian community background. Compared to the NI level, there is a slightly higher proportion of residents stating that they are of no religious persuasion (7.1 per cent, compared to 5.6 per cent regionally). |
| Political opinion |
In May 2019, 60 councillors, from eight political parties were elected to Belfast City Council:
|
| Racial group |
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published data on language use for Northern Ireland which shows the most commonly spoken languages in Belfast (excluding English and Irish) are:
There are also variations in terms of age group with over 50 per cent of those whose main language is not English aged between 25 and 44, compared with 28 per cent of those whose main language is English. There are 7 per cent of working age population in Belfast who are born outside UK and Republic of Ireland, around 18,400 people (Census 2011). The 2011 Census shows that there is a higher than average proportion of people from a black and minority ethnic background in the Belfast City Council area: 3.64 per cent compared with 1.79 per cent in Northern Ireland. The largest minority ethnic communities are the Chinese community (0.79 per cent) and the Indian community (0.78 per cent). There are several initiatives under 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ that will have a positive impact on various Section 75 groups. This encompasses strengthening the city’s cultural networks and music showcasing opportunities which will build on the city’s diverse cultural festivals and events including Belfast Mela, Diwali and Samhain, Holi, Chinese New Year and Polish Cultural Week. |
| Age |
The age profile of Belfast is similar to that of the wider region. Almost one in five residents (19.23 per cent) are aged under 16, slightly lower than the Northern Ireland average (20.95 per cent). The working age population (aged 16 to 64 years) make up two-thirds (66.32 per cent) of all Belfast residents. Older people (aged 65 and over) currently account for 14.44 per cent of the Belfast population. The population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 74.4 per cent to 498,500 people from mid-2014 to mid-2039, with the result that one in four people (24.7 per cent) will be in this age category. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ acknowledges that outside of the challenges created by the pandemic, the music sector was already facing staffing, infrastructure and skills challenges as a result of on-going lack of investment and a drain on talent leaving the city/country to work elsewhere due to lack of opportunity. As we move towards developing a stronger and more robust music sector, there are a number of priority skills interventions that will be required to ensure that there is both the volume and level of supply to meet the projected demand and deliver on our growth ambitions. Providing opportunities for the skilling and re-skilling of younger people will be imperative. There are specific references in 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ outlining benefits to young people. With development of educational and showcasing opportunities, while a younger audience would be expected to attend the planned global Music Cities conference as well as a recommendation for a Youth Music Forum in the Belfast Music Governance and Leadership models. Our research shows there is a strong music heritage and not just in the recent past; the amount of young people learning to play indigenous music is increasing with more than 5,000 people aged over 18 engaging in it. Among the resulting commitments made as a UNESCO City of Music to share our incredible music story and create new music stories with collaborative projects reaching young people around the world and close to home. A recommendation under the Belfast Music Leadership Model Governance is to Create additional fora for creators, the live sector and young people via the Youth Music Forum. It is recommended that the Youth Music Forum be developed in partnership with youth and community organisations across Belfast. This forum will provide an opportunity for young people aged 14 to 21 to think about the positive role of music in their local communities, establish and lead music initiatives to respond to the needs of their peers, and to explore a future role in music artistically or within music business. An action under Priority 8 of 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is to weave music business into a UNESCO Schools' Tour to introduce young people to the myriad of behind-the-scenes roles in music. The outcome is:
|
| Marital status |
The 2011 Census indicates that just over one third (35.6 per cent) of all usual residents in Belfast (aged 16+) are married – a relatively low proportion when compared with the Northern Ireland average (47.6 per cent). Belfast has a higher percentage (45.3 per cent) of residents who are single when compared with the Northern Ireland average (36.1 per cent). There is also a higher than average proportion of people in Belfast who are separated (5.4 per cent compared to 4 per cent NI average) and divorced or civil partnership dissolved (6.2 per cent to 5.5 per cent NI average). Belfast also has 353 residents (0.1 per cent) who are in a registered same-sex civil partnership, 7.5 per cent are widowed or a surviving partner, almost a third of all such partnerships in Northern Ireland. |
| Sexual orientation |
ONS report that 1.2 per cent of the NI population identify themselves as LGBT.[3] The council currently has no data specific to Belfast. However, the Rainbow project estimates that, on the basis of national and international research, one in 10 people in NI would not identify as being heterosexual. Currently there is no monitoring of data on sexual orientation. |
| Men and women generally |
Census 2011 figures indicate that Belfast has a higher female population (52 per cent of all residents), slightly higher than the Northern Ireland average of 51 per cent. The difference is largest in the over 65 population, where 59.3 per cent of all residents are female. An action under Priority 2 of 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is: Identify and financially support the recruitment of a partner to deliver a programme to develop the production skills of women, female-identifying and non-binary music creators in a safe and trusted studio environment. Outcome: Greater access to technical opportunities in the music sector for an under-represented community. |
| Disability |
Census 2011 figures show that almost one quarter (23 per cent) of Belfast residents have a long-term health problem or disability which affects their day to day activities. This is a higher proportion than the Northern Ireland average (20.1 per cent). Over one-third of Belfast residents reported that they had a long-term condition (defined as a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months). The most common conditions were mobility or dexterity difficulty (39 per cent of all those affected), pain or discomfort (34 per cent), shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (31 per cent) and emotional, psychological or mental health condition (23 per cent). A total of 40,177 usual residents in Northern Ireland were reported to have a “learning difficulty, an intellectual difficulty, or a social or behavioural difficulty” which had lasted, or was expected to last, at least 12 months. This figure accounts for 2.22 per cent of the resident population.
This table has information on people with blindness, partial sight loss or other communication difficulty. Belfast has a higher percentage of residents with blindness and sight loss and communication difficulty. The council developed a guide “Inclusive Events for Disabled People”. This guide is for people working in, or with Belfast City Council who are nvolved in planning, organising, publicising or running events including meetings, markets, conferences, festivals or parades. It provides guidance in creating events that are inclusive and universally accessible. Employment rates for people with disabilities has been consistently lower than those without disabilities in NI since 2014. The disability employment gap for NI in 2020 was 42.2percentage points, compared to 27.9 percentage points for the whole of the UK. Since 2014, the disability employment gap has consistently been higher in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK.[4] Within 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’, there are several initiatives to support a more inclusive and accessible music experience for all, both for performers and audiences. This will have the potential to promote equality of opportunity for all, including those with disabilities. The consultation process will draw out key issues faced by disabled people in accessing and experience music events and this learning will provide additional information to enhance their experiences. An environment that is accessible, usable, convenient and a pleasure to use, benefits everyone. An action under Priority 1 of 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is to ensure that music programming always takes an inclusive approach and provides annual opportunities for showcasing musicians with disabilities or additional needs. The outcome is to make sure music activities are made available in safe spaces for all ages, where the needs of those with disabilities can be met. Actions under Priority 5 of Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ are to:
Actions under Priority 11 of 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ are to:
Actions under Priority 13 of 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ are to:
|
| Dependants |
The 2011 Census shows that 28.58 per cent of households in Belfast include dependent children, compared with the Northern Ireland average of 33.86 per cent. However, there are 34,464 households with at least one child. Also, 42 per cent of adult carers are in some kind of employment. Six per cent are self-employed full time or part-time. We do not have statistics on number of carers in Belfast. However, we know that one in eight residents in Northern Ireland is a carer, which implies around 40,826 people in Belfast. The Belfast City Council Residents' Survey (2014), reported that 32.3 per cent of the population have dependants or caring responsibilities. There is at present no monitoring data on dependants. |
Table with percentages of people in Belfast and Northern Ireland with blindness, partial sight loss or a communication difficulty on Census Day in 2011.
| People with blindness or partial sight loss | People with a communication difficulty | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast population | NI population | Belfast population | NI population | ||||
| Number | percentage | Number | percentage | Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage |
| 6,729 | 2.02 % | 30,863 | 1.70% | 6,460 | 1.93% | 29,871 | 1.65% |
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?
As outlined in the Cultural Strategy equality screening impact assessment (EQIA):
- Positioning Belfast, the brand and other actions and initiatives develop to deliver on the priorities, the council will ensure that these remain inclusive of all people and be subject to appropriate equality considerations, to ensure that there is no differential impact;
- Initiatives to support the access and inclusion, such as the Gig Buddies initiative, have the potential to promote equality of opportunity, including those with disabilities; and
- Marketing and communication platforms should be inclusive of and respond to the needs of disabled people, LGBTQ++, race, age and language needs.
| Section 75 category | Likely impact | If 'no', provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ aims to bring together people from a wide range of backgrounds and therefore promote good relations in the city. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the well-being of our residents and the city.
|
None |
| Political opinion |
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ aims to promote good relations in the city. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the well-being of our residents and the city. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ recognises diversity:
|
None |
| Racial group |
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ aims to promote good relations in the city. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the wellbeing of our residents and the city. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ recognises diversity:
|
Minor |
| Age |
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ aims to have a positive impact on people of all ages (particularly young people). 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the wellbeing of our residents and the city. |
Minor |
| Marital status |
No impact. |
None |
| Sexual orientation |
Brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds regardless of their sexual orientation and therefore promotes good relations in the city. |
Minor |
| Men and women generally |
Brings together people from different backgrounds. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the well-being of our residents and the city. |
Minor |
| Disability |
Brings together people from different backgrounds. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the well-being of our residents and the city. |
Minor |
| Dependants |
Brings together people from different backgrounds. 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ contributes to the economic, social and environmental regeneration and the well-being of our residents and the city. |
Minor |
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 |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Political opinion |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Racial group |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Age |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Marital status |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Sexual orientation |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Men and women generally |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Disability |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
| Dependants |
Improving the music sector’s infrastructure and the live experience of music in Belfast is likely to have a generally positive impact on quality of life for all residents and increasing the value of music both socially and economically will help strengthen Belfast’s economy and improve quality of life in general. We will continue to review feedback and monitoring information to consider opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity. |
Not applicable |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
Positive music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast, including that it is an inclusive welcoming and culturally vibrant city. There is therefore potential for minor positive impact on good relations between this group generally. |
Minor |
| Political opinion |
Positive music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast, including that it is an inclusive welcoming and culturally vibrant city. There is therefore potential for minor positive impact on good relations between this group generally. |
Minor |
| Racial group |
Positive music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast, including that it is an inclusive welcoming and culturally vibrant city. There is therefore potential for minor positive impact on good relations between this group generally. |
Minor |
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 details |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
Music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast and to improve good relations between those of different religious beliefs. |
This is not applicable |
| Political opinion |
Music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast and to improve good relations between those of different political opinions. |
This is not applicable |
| Racial group |
Music can be a vehicle to promote positive messages about Belfast and to improve good relations between different racial groups. |
This is not applicable |
Section C
Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order. Questions 12 and 13 relate to these 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
Yes. The needs of disabled people is planned as part of the consultation process so that the live music experience is accessible and enjoyable to all. Learning and feedback will be documented in the final screening and will be used to inform the out workings of the final 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ policy.
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
Yes. There is good potential to use disabled people’s feedback to inform the final policy. This would enable the council and partners to understand their visitor experiences better in terms of travelling to and around the city. The team is also planning to include representatives of disabled people community in the steering and working group of this draft strategy. This will include a targeted consultation session for the pan disability community by working with the University of Atypical.
14. Multiple identities
Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
The 12-week consultation period will provide the council with a stronger insight into multiple identity needs and inform the out workings within the final 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ policy. It will provide information on the potential to increase marketing activity targeted at individuals who have multiple identities and currently this is undertaken by Visit Belfast (our partner marketing organisation).
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section 75 places a requirement the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place:
- to assess the impact of policies and services
- to help identify barriers to fair participation
- to better promote equality of opportunity
Outline what data you will collect in the future to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.
| Equality | Good Relations | Disability Duties |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Title of proposed policy or decision being screened
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’
I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:
- equality of opportunity and good relations
- disability duties
| On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy or decision is | |
|---|---|
| Screened in It is necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment |
Not applicable |
|
Screened out: no EQIA is necessary (no impacts) |
Applicable |
Provide a brief note to explain how this decision was reached.
Screened out
Mitigating actions (minor impacts)
- Provide a brief note to explain how this decision was reached
- Explain what mitigating actions or policy changes will now be introduced.
'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ is likely to have a positive impact on all Section 75 groups both directly and indirectly, as it will make an important contribution to the delivery of economic, social and environmental growth and regeneration of the city. In addition, it supports the aspirations set out in the Belfast Agenda. The council believes that the strategic themes and priorities of the Cultural Strategy and Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ will not have specific adverse impacts for any Section 75 groups.
The public consultation process provides an opportunity to highlight any impact currently undetermined by research to date and mitigating actions. At this stage, 'Music Matters – a roadmap for Belfast’ presents overall positive impacts for equality of opportunity and good relations and therefore no mitigation measures are required beyond those identified in the EQIA for the Cultural Strategy, A City Imagining. The opportunity exists to address any policy changes.
Screening assessment completed by
Name: Nora Quigley
Date:
Department : Place and Economy
Screening decision approved by
Name: Chris McCreery
Date: 5 May 2022
Department: Place and Economy
Please save the Word final version of the completed screening form and email to the Equality and Diversity Officer: [email protected] A link to this screening form will be provided to the council's Section 75 consultees.
For more information about equality screening, contact:
Lorraine Dennis or Lisa McKee
Equality and Diversity Unit
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511
Email: [email protected]
Footnotes
[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)
[2] 'Nearly one in three music industry jobs lost because of COVID' published by Belfast Telegraph
[3] Sexual identity, UK: 2017 Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2019
[4] Disability Employment gap in Northern Ireland 2020 (link opens in new window) published by NISRA