Appendix 4 - Equality and Impact Fairness Assessment
Perth and Kinross Council · 15 December 2025
Back to Licensing Committee — 15 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 4 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form If the ‘policy or practice’ (see definition below) you are developing or going to develop is assessed as relevant after undertaking the online screening process (the Impact and Value Assessment (IVA)) - that is, it will have either a positive or negative impact on people - you should complete an Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) using this form. This form should only be completed if you have undertaken an Impact and Value Assessment (IVA) to screen whether a full Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment is required. Complete this for all relevant policies or practices: ● ‘relevant’ means it will have an impact on people ● ‘policy or practice’ - see definition below Definition of policy or practice for the purposes of EFIA: ● The term ‘policy or practice’ covers Service delivery and Employment. This can include a policy, a plan, a strategy, a project, a service review, a function, practice or service activity or a budget option.
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2 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Name of policy or practice New taxi Operator Licences- Allocation Scheme Service and Division/Team Legal and Governance Services - Licensing Owner/Person responsible (include your name and position) Karen Engelberts, Licensing Manager Sarah Rodger, Legal Manager Impact Assessment Team (include your names and positions). This team can consist of two people or more as appropriate. As above Is the policy or practice being impact assessed new or existing? The Council is responsible for regulating taxis and taxi drivers. The Council ensures that those who operate and drive taxis are suitable to carry out that activity, from a public safety point of view. The Council can also refuse new vehicle licences if there is considered to be no unmet demand for taxis in Perth. There is an existing policy of having a limit on the number of taxis for Perth City. This is periodically reviewed, approximately every three years, to assess whether there is a significant demand for taxis which is unmet. This is done through a Survey of Unmet Demand which is commissioned from an external contractor. The Council then has to decide whether to accept those findings and if so, decide what action to take if there is a significant demand which is unmet. This assessment is being undertaken as part of the decision-making process following the most recent survey, undertaken in December 2024. That survey indicates that there is a significant unmet demand for taxis in Perth On 6 October 2025, the Licensing Committee considered recommendations to address the identified unmet demand (Report 25/260 refers) agreed to issue 24 additional taxi operator licences and officers were asked to develop criteria for allocation. What are the main aims of the policy or practice? This report seeks the Committee’s approval for a new scheme to allocate 24 additional Taxi Operator Licences in Perth. The intention is to broaden access to Taxi Operator Licences and enhance accessibility for disabled passengers. Who are the main target groups/beneficiaries? Section 1: Policy details (see definition of ‘policy or practice’ above)
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3 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC The general public who use taxis. Taxi operators and drivers also receive services from licensing in terms of the regulation of their activity as an operator or driver, but they are not users of taxi services unless as a member of the public. What are the intended outcomes of the policy or practice? To ensure that there is an adequate supply of taxis for the public and to ensure that accessibility for disabled passengers is be improved.
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4 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Key questions to address in the EFIA ● Does the policy or practice evidence that it has eliminated discrimination? ● Does the policy or practice evidence that it has advanced equality of opportunity? ● Does the policy or practice evidence that it will foster good relations between groups? The Assessment should highlight areas of interest covering the following: ● positive and negative impacts across all protected characteristics ● scale of the impact: an indication of the degree of potential impact, and whether this is judged to have a High, Medium or Low impact potential ● anticipated duration of the impact if relevant ● whether there is a specific differential impact to a particular protected characteristic or characteristics ● if the impact is more wide-ranging and general in its effect ● whether any impacts identified would/could be mitigated by an amendment to the policy, practice budget decision or service reform proposal Equality protected characteristic: Age Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Older people (65 years and over) X Section 2: Detail the positive and/or negative impacts, or tick to indicate no impact identified
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5 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Disability Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Physical disability Accessibility for disabled passengers will be improved by providing that all new licences issued under this scheme will be subject to a condition that the licensed vehicle must be a wheelchair- accessible vehicle (WAV). This requirement responds directly to the findings of the Unmet Demand Survey and the public consultation, both of which highlighted the need for improved accessibility for disabled passengers. Sensory impairment X Mental health X Learning disability X Neurodivergent conditions X Equality protected characteristic: Gender reassignment Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Male transitioning x
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6 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact to female Female transitioning to Male x Equality protected characteristic: Marriage/Civil partnership Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Women x Men x Same sex couple (male) x Same sex couple (female) x
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7 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Pregnancy/Maternity/Paternity Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Women x Men (paternity) x Equality protected characteristic: Race Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census x Equality protected characteristic: Religion/Belief Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census x
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8 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Sex Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Female x Male x Equality protected characteristic: Sexual orientation Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Lesbian x Gay x Bisexual x Other sexual orientation x
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9 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Socio-economic (fairness) Please refer to Appendix 2 of accompanying guidance Specific characteristics Positive impact (it could benefit the group concerned) Negative impact (it could disadvantage the group concerned) and any mitigation No impact Expanding access to the taxi trade may offer additional forms of employment and allow access to opportunities for those who would welcome flexible hours. For any policies or practice specific to young people under the age of 16 years, a separate Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment should be undertaken – view the National Guidance.
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10 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC As a result of this equality impact assessment, please clearly describe practical actions you plan to take to: ● reduce or remove any identified negative impact ● promote any positive impact or ● gather further information/evidence Equality protected characteristic: Age Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Older people (65 years and over) n/a Equality protected characteristic: Disability Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Physical disability Allocate licences under the new Scheme subject to a condition that the vehicle must be a WAV Licensing Manager Ongoing Sensory impairment n/a Mental health n/a Learning disability n/a Neurodivergent conditions n/a Section 3: Recommendations and actions
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11 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Gender reassignment Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Male transitioning to female n/a Female transitioning to male n/a Equality protected characteristic: Marriage/Civil partnership Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Women n/a Men n/a Same sex couple (male) n/a Same sex couple (female) n/a Equality protected characteristic: Pregnancy/Maternity/Paternity Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Women n/a Men (paternity) n/a Equality protected characteristic: Race Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census n/a
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12 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Religion/Belief Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census n/a Equality protected characteristic: Sex Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Female n/a Male n/a Equality protected characteristic: Sexual orientation Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion Lesbian n/a Gay n/a Bisexual n/a Other sexual orientation n/a Equality protected characteristic: Socio-economic (fairness) Please refer to Appendix 2 of accompanying guidance Specific characteristics Action Who is responsible Date for completion n/a
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13 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC You should list here the sources of information used to assess the impact of the relevant policy or practice. This can include local sources such as reports, information and data, relevant partners’ information, data and reports, other Council’s relevant information, data and reports, national information, research outcomes, data profiles and any other evidence which has led to the development of this policy. Information/evidence gained and used to shape this policy or practice List details, source and date (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Community consultation/engagement outcomes from individuals and organisations - this usually includes formally arranged contact with individuals, community groups, third sector and other relevant interest groups As part of the unmet demand survey, a range of consultation and engagement takes place through surveys: • public attitude survey • taxi trade survey • stakeholder engagement eg police, hospitality, • representatives of elderly and disabled user groups Further consultation was undertaken with the public (including the taxi trade) in relation to options to address unmet demand in particular an increase in 24 licences or to remove the limit completely, as well as regarding the type of vehicles that should be attached to these licences. Employee involvement/consultation feedback (for example survey, focus groups) Research and information list main sources Officer knowledge and experience Section 4: Evidence
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14 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Information/evidence gained and used to shape this policy or practice List details, source and date (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Equality monitoring data Service user feedback (including customer contact, services and complaints) See above – the survey of unmet demand included a public attitude survey. Partner feedback Other - this may be information gathered in another Council area, nationally or in partner organisations which is considered to have relevance
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15 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Consultation with key stakeholders must be undertaken throughout the EFIA process. This activity can also help to reach people not previously involved with these processes, but who will be affected by this policy or practice when it is implemented. You may wish to refer to the Council’s Consultation Guidance. The Consultation/Engagement process can also help identify or agree changes that need to be made to ensure the policy or practice will be inclusive on implementation and future practice. The Equalities Team Leader (email Equalities@pkc.gov.uk) may be able to provide advice relating to potential contact with consultees from equality protected characteristic groups via existing mechanisms such as the Community Equalities Advisory Group (CEAG) or Equalities Strategic Forum. A summary of the replies received from individuals and stakeholders consulted/involved. Include any previous feedback or complaints relating to equality and diversity issues and the policy or practice currently being assessed. Continue on a separate sheet(s) if necessary – please advise if this has been done. Equality protected characteristic: Age Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Older people (65 years and over) n/a Equality protected characteristic: Disability Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Physical disability This is set out in the Unmet Demand Survey. This feedback was considered and informed decision making about requirements which will be placed on new licences, such as wheelchair accessible vehicles. Sensory impairment n/a Section 5: Consultation/Engagement
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16 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Mental health n/a Learning disability n/a Neurodivergent conditions n/a Equality protected characteristic: Gender reassignment Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Male transitioning to female n/a Female transitioning to male n/a Equality protected characteristic: Marriage/Civil partnership Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Women n/a Men n/a Same sex couple (male) n/a Same sex couple (female) n/a
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17 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Pregnancy/Maternity/Paternity Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Women n/a Men (paternity) n/a Equality protected characteristic: Race Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census n/a Equality protected characteristic: Religion/Belief Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) View the list of categories used in Scotland's Census n/a
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18 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC Equality protected characteristic: Sex Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Female n/a Male n/a Equality protected characteristic: Sexual orientation Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Lesbian n/a Gay n/a Bisexual n/a Other sexual orientation n/a Equality protected characteristic: Socio-economic (fairness) Please refer to Appendix 2 of accompanying guidance Specific characteristics Date Outcome of consultation/engagement (continue on a separate sheet if necessary – please advise if this has been done) Socio-economic (fairness) n/a
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19 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC When the evidence has been considered in relation to the proposed policy, practice, project, service reform or budget option, it will be apparent what the likely impacts are. The type, scale, duration, and specificity of the likely impacts will inform the direction of the outcome of the EFIA. There are four potential outcomes as follows (highlight the one you are recommending as a result of your Impact Assessment): 1. No major change required the policy, practice, project, service reform or budget option is robust and can continue without amendment. 2. Continue the policy, practice, project, service reform or budget option. A justification is required for continuing despite the potential for adverse impact. 3. Adjust or amend the policy, practice, project, service reform or budget option. Remove barriers, make changes to better advance equality or remove or mitigate negative impact. 4. Stop, or remove the policy, practice project, service reform or budget option if adverse effects cannot be justified and cannot be mitigated. The following signatures are required: Lead Officer Responsible Signed Sarah Rodger Name Sarah Rodger Date Quality Assured by Perth and Kinross Council Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment trained officer (within service) Signed S. Rodger Name Sarah Rodger Date Section 6: Outcomes Section 7: Authorising the assessment
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20 Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) Form – 2024 PKC - PUBLIC The completed and authorised EFIA should be added to the relevant section on the Council website. Date action completed: Ensure your committee report to accompany this policy includes information about any actions taken to reduce or remove negative impacts identified, or include any positive impacts expected when the policy is implemented. Section 8: Publishing the assessment Section 9: Committee reporting