Item 08 Appendix 3
West Dunbartonshire Council · 12 November 2025
Back to Corporate Services Committee — 12 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Assessment No 1337 Owner Amanda Graham Resource Transformation Service Budget CCF FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer Amanda Graham Chief Officer Citizen, Culture & Facilities Members Amanda Graham, Chief Officer (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title Library Services Consultation 2025-26 The aim, objective, purpose and intended outcome of policy The consultation on library services in West Dunbartonshire aims to engage the community to ensure the policy reflects the diverse needs of all residents. Its objective is to identify and address any barriers to access or participation across different groups, promoting equality and inclusivity. The purpose is to inform a fair and responsive policy that supports accessible, welcoming library services for everyone. Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. Library Services Feedback collated via community engagement with a range of groups, individuals and organisations across West Dunbartonshire has been considered. Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? No If yes, please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. No SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes Who will be affected by this policy? Appendix 3
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Residents of West Dunbartonshire, stakeholders, visitors to the area, council services, local business and any other consumers of Council services. Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? Residents of West Dunbartonshire, stakeholders, visitors to the area, council services, local business and any other consumers of Council services.
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age Different age groups require different approaches to engagement. For example, older people may face physical challenges that means they are unable to participate in digital engagement activity. It is important that we are cognisant of these impacts and build resilience into our consultation design to mitigate any access and participation issues. Increasing engagement with young people is a focus of the Council and this requires a different approach to address curriculum requirements, provide unique learning opportunities, skills for life and engagement that can be enjoyable and meaningful. Older people tend to be less digitally literate than younger people and may require additional support to use online engagement tools. Younger people tend not to engage with Council consultations and are often an underrepresented group. Positive, we will ensure that non digital participation in the consultation is made available, we will consult with equality groups and directly reach out to younger people. Disability The social model of disability identifies barriers are created by our society, which may be physical, organisational or attitudinal. Disability and access to leisure | Iriss Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure this group has the opportunity to participate in the consultation
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through the West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum. Gender Reassign Transpeople often feel marginalised and isolated as well as feeling discrimination. When young LGBTQ+ individuals see themselves reflected in literature, it can validate them and provide hope for their futures. 5 Ways Your Library Is a Vital Lifeline for Transgender Youth - Researchhub.blog Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure this group has the opportunity to participate in the consultation through the West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum. Marriage & Civil Partnership No impact identified. Pregnancy & Maternity Studies show the positive impact that leisure has on the mental and physical health for the mother and can lead to a healthier pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications. In 2023 there were 783 births in West Dunbartonshire. West Dunbartonshire - National Records of Scotland (NRS) Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure this group has the opportunity to participate in the consultation. Race There is increasing ethnic diversity of residents in West Dunbartonshire. Residents who do not speak English are less likely to participate in survey consultations which are written in English. Use of plain English is beneficial to all and especially those who do not have a good command of English. Positive, we will ensure that the survey uses plain English and that we will consult with equality groups that represent different ethnic groups. Religion and Belief Cross cuts with race Cross cuts with race Positive, we will ensure that the survey uses plain English and that we will consult with equality groups that represent different ethnic groups. Sex Women have a strong influencing role within their own families and therefore Summary of key findings: supporting women and girls to be active | Local Government Association Positive, we will ensure that we consult with a wide range of people to
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on the health and wellbeing of future generations. encourage a representative sample. Sexual Orientation Studies show that LGB people face additional barriers to participating in leisure activities largely due to homophobic discrimination and behaviours. OUTSPORT- RESEARCH_SCO_WEB.pdf 3.05% of people (16+) in West Dunbartonshire identified as LGB+ Scotland's Census 2022 - Sexual orientation and trans status or history – data for charts | Scotland's Census Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure this group has the opportunity to participate in the consultation through the West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum. Human Rights The Council must act in accordance with European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) The Council is a duty bearer in terms of the Human Rights Act and ECHR We need to have regard to the United Nations Rights of the Child when thinking about how we communicate as this is relevant to 'Participation'. Younger people are underrepresented in engagement activity. Positive, we will ensure that younger people have the opportunity to participate in the consultation. Health It is widely acknowledged that participation in leisure activities has many positive benefits on both physical and mental health. Life expectancy in West Dunbartonshire for women and men is 79.2 and 74.3 years respectively, this is lower than the Scottish average. In 2023 the leading cause of death for males was heart disease, for women this was Demetia and Alzheimer’s disease. Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure that people in poorer health have the opportunity to participate in the consultation. Social & Economic Impact Many economically disadvantaged people in WD have poorer health outcomes. NOMIS NOLB Data Toolkit 2024 Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure this group has the opportunity to participate in the consultation.
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Cross Cutting WD has higher than Scottish and UK levels of deprivation and child poverty which has multiple negative outcomes for people living in poverty and with limited access to services. Poverty and trauma intersect with all protected characteristics. Intersectionality and multiple discrimination need to be taken into account. NOMIS NOLB Data Toolkit 2024 Positive, we will ensure that we explore opportunities to ensure that we reach a wide range of people. We will actively engage with the equality forum and other agencies that support disadvantaged people to encourage participation in the consultation. Policy has a negative impact on an equality group, but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. N/A Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing basis? The information gathered from this consultation will help to inform any future service design of Library Services and performance will continue to be monitored through the Council's evaluation procedures. Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1337: The consultation is designed to ensure that all are able to participate without any barriers. We will ensure engagement is promoted to all underrepresented groups in order that we can gain a wider understanding of how people interact with our library service that will help us to design and shape library services.