Item 16 Appendix 2
West Dunbartonshire Council · 30 October 2024
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 30 October 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Assessment No 997 Owner N Docherty Resource Transformation Service Citizens, Culture and Facilities FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer Ricardo Rea Performance and Strategy Officer Members Ricardo Rea, Performance and Strategy Officer Nicola Docherty, Performance and Strategy Team Leader (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title West Dunbartonshire Council Budget Prioritisation 2025-26, Consultation Process The aim, objective, purpose and intended outcome of policy The consultation process is designed to gather people in West Dunbartonshire's views on priority budget areas. As well as the general public, the process directly sought the views of key community organisations within West Dunbartonshire Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. Performance and Strategy Team, Communities Team and Chief Officers. 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. 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? People resident in West Dunbartonshire, people using public services in West Dunbartonshire, other statutory organisations, voluntary organisations, Council staff. Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? As well as members of the public through the survey consultation, focus groups sessions will be carried with a range of representatives from local community organisations, within Dumbarton/Alexandria and Clydebank. We will work to ensure a wide range of groups such as the West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum are represented. Sessions will be offered at varying times of day and evening to ensure as wide a range of participation as possible. Face to face sessions will allow discussion of cumulative impact of budget decisions over time and cumulative impact of decisions made at the same time which could interact, for example spending and income generation. APPENDIX 2
Page 2
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 There is a need to ensure that older and younger people have an opportunity to have their say. The survey is aimed at age 16 and older. Younger people in West Dunbartonshire are generally underrepresented in strategic engagement. A specific face to face session with younger people will be carried out. Neutral Disability Evidence suggests that this is one of groups most negatively impacted since the start of austerity. Community Group Sessions highlighted concern that cuts to budget may result in cuts that affect accessibility within the local area. A specific face to face session with equality groups will be carried out. Neutral Gender Reassign National evidence suggests that transgender people are more likely to be excluded from many community processes. With this protected group as with all others, when budget decisions are made relevant local and national evidence should be used to ensure that due regards is given to equalities. A specific face to face session with equality groups will be carried out. Neutral Marriage & Civil Partnership Pregnancy & Maternity Race Evidence suggest that this is one of groups most negatively impacted since the start of austerity A specific face to face session with equality groups will be carried out. Neutral Religion and Belief Sex Sexual Orientation Human Rights The Council are Human 'Rights Bearers' and must take decisions and act in a way that complies with the European Convention on Human Rights UNCRC considerations The consultation process will be undertaken within a way that is in line with Article 14 of the ECHR on non-discrimination on any grounds Further specific consultation with under 16 years is planned. Neutral Health Social & Economic Impact Cross Cutting
Page 3
Policy has a negative impact on an equality group, but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing basis? Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Introduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 997: Consultation on Council spending is highly relevant to equalities. The approach was adopted in line with our Equality Outcome for 2021-25 of increasing the participation of underrepresented groups. In terms of online survey, we asked demographic questions to allow comparison between respondent profiles and overall population of West Dunbartonshire, which are noted in section 2 of the Equality impact Assessment. Focus groups are also being held to gather views, including with equality groups. Decision makers must give due regard to equality considerations as part of their deliberations, and it is for them to decide on weight given to equality decisions in balance with others. The consultation provides part of the relevant evidence to help decision makers, for example by providing evidence of any variations between groups on their opinions.