Item 21 Appendix 2 - EIA 1324 - West Dunbartonshire Council Budget Prioritisation 2026-27, Consultation Process
West Dunbartonshire Council · 29 October 2025
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Assessment No 1324 Owner Amanda Graham Resource Transformation Service Communications, Culture and Facilities First Name 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 2026-27, 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? Yes 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? 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 were carried out with a range of representatives from local community organisations, Appendix 2
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within Dumbarton, Alexandria and Clydebank. We worked to ensure a wide range of groups such as the West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum membership represented. We engaged with youth organisations and met with 2 local MSYPs. Sessions were offered at varying times of day and evening to ensure as wide a range of participation as possible. Face to face sessions allowed 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. 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 16+ year olds was carried, and we engaged with groups representing younger people; see under Human Rights. Young people noted housing and community safety/tackling ASB, activities and spaces for younger people and stimulating the economy as priorities. Digital inclusion of older people does not match that of younger people, and this creates a barrier for accessing services, benefits and other assistance. Positive in terms of some increased engagement with younger people. Neutral in terms of engagement with other age groups. 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 was be carried out. 22.1% of those who responded to the online survey said they were disabled; this is broadly in line with the census 2022 figure Neutral, engagement with disabled people has been maintained.
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of 23% of people with a long-term illness or condition Gender Reassign National evidence suggests that transgender people are more likely to be excluded from many community processes. National evidence also suggests particular concerns among Trans people about safety and anti social behaviour. 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 regard is given to equalities. A specific face to face session with equality groups via West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum (WDEF) was carried out. Neutral in terms of engagement. Marriage & Civil Partnership Pregnancy & Maternity Cross cuts with sex. We do not monitor the results on this basis, however issues and needs will often overall with those of women. Cross cuts with sex, for example impacts on women. Race Evidence suggests that BME groups have been negatively impacted since the start of austerity and during covid Responses from most ethnic groups were representative of the population profile with the exception of Chinese and Polish people. BME groups shared Community Safety as a top concern but rated this at at 4.7 compared to 4 for respondents overall. For BME groups supporting community lead initiatives was the second highest priority compared to its third placing for respondents overall. A specific face to face session with equality groups will be carried out, though West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum and discussions there noted the importance of Community Safety and concerns with racist behaviour in WD. The Council's resettlement Team engaged Potentially positive as information gained can be used to inform the work of the CPWD Safe DIG, and those working in the area of tackling ASB.
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with the consultation process, using their knowledge of issues affecting their client group. Racist behaviour was noted as a concern, often couched in terms of anti- immigrant feeling. Similar issues were raised by members of West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum. Some young people reported an increase in the casual use of racist language among young people. This is relevant for consideration in terms of Community Safety and ASB as priorities. The Council's ESOL provision was seen as extremely helpful as was the range of services, employment support included provided by W4U. Religion and Belief Religion and belief and ethnicity can crosscut when some characteristics are more likely to be shared for example around 90% of people in the UK who identify as Pakistani or Bangladeshi also identify as Muslim. Responses rates were broadly in line with the profile of West Dunbartonshire. Neutral in terms of engagement. Sex Women are more likely to experience Gender Based violence than men. Women are more likely to rely on public services than men. More women than men responded to the online survey 66% to 30%; this is a common feature of Council online line response profiles. However, the number of men responding was large enough to gauge any significant variations in priorities. More women and men attended the face-to- face sessions around twice as many. There was a view that the funding landscape in WD and nationally had contributed to the closure of Clydebank Women's Aid. It was noted that the remaining Women’s Aid service would not Neutral, women continue to be well represented in the consultation process both online and in person.
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be able to replace services local to the Clydebank area. Funded childcare was noted as a priority in free text comments by women but not by men. Sexual Orientation At the Scotland and UK level there are significant differences between the lives of LBG people and straight people in some realms, it is therefore important that these are explored at the West Dunbartonshire level. The proportion of LGB people replying to the online survey was 6.3% this is twice the LGB proportion in WDC of 3%. This compares to 5.3% for the 25/26 budget Survey. Survey results for LGB people and heterosexual people were roughly in line. For example, LGB people saw community safety as a top priority, but scored this slightly higher that respondents overall. Positive, the proportion of LGB people responding has increased and allows for more reliable comparisons. Human Rights The Council is a Human Rights Bear Duty bearer and must take decisions and act in a way that complies with the European Convention on Human Rights. UNCRC considerations need to be taken into account. The consultation process was undertaken in line with Article 14 of the ECHR on non- discrimination on any grounds. There was minimal response to the online survey among 16 to 24 year olds. We met directly with young people in this age group through the Tullochan trust. We also meet with 2 local MSYP. We also meet with other organisations providing services to children and young people. Better use of a wider range of social media by the Council was highlighted as a need. The process was able to give some voice directly to those 16 and over. In the case of those under 16 we have spoken to organisations providing services for young people. Health Health crosscuts all age groups, disability, ethnicity and sex especially in terms of combinations of All age groups rated support for children and adults who require to be protected and are at risk of harm as the top priority when asked about HSCP services. People under 45 rated Support for children and adults with a disability to enable them to be supported in the community with family or to live independently as the second Neutral in terms of engagement: as with past budget consultations, physical and mental health are flagged
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circumstances and effects. highest priority, with Support for older people within their own home or within a homely setting to enable them to be well cared for and remain independent for as long as possible in third place. For people over 45 this was reversed, though those under 45 rated these two things very closely, those over 45 rated them significantly differently. as priorities, and as elsewhere respondents see how these are influenced or determined by other factors. Social & Economic Impact Social and economic factors crosscut with equality considerations. We covered economy as a theme during the consultation. W4U services was seen as valuable in terms of the economy i.e. by employability support, benefits advice etc. The W4U services is seen as especially beneficial for more vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Much of the feedback was that the Council should do as much as possible to stimulate the local economy and bring jobs to the area. Concern was raised over whether of the level of debt, including debt to the Council e.g. Rent and Council tax was rising a request for info from the Council was made. 29 compared to 28 businesses last year answered the online survey. 77 community organisations compared to 57 answered the online survey. Neutral in terms level of engagement with themes relevant to social and economic impacts by individuals. Businesses engaging through the online survey has remined steady but there has been a considerable upturn in community organisations responding. Cross Cutting It is important to consider how cross cutting elements can impact on groups, e.g. sex, ethnicity and disability. A session with West Dunbartonshire Equality Forum, which draws membership from many groups was undertaken. Negative impacts of past service reductions that were seen as crossing cutting included those cumulatively to the W4U service, and cuts to community groups funding. Being able to access council services face to face was seen as important to maintain. Scottish Consumer Duty: We have screened for relevance to the Duty and concluded that there nothing that might be relevant that it is not already addressed in this impact assessment. It is clear from responses, including free text that the 4 priority areas we have used to structure the consultation are often seen as interlinked.
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Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1324: Consultation on Council spending is highly relevant to equalities. The approach was adopted in line with our Equality Outcome for 2025-29 of increasing the participation of underrepresented groups. The spread of participants and their experience helped build a picture of priorities across and between 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 have also been 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. Where there are significant differences between groups on priorities these have been highlighted in section 2 of the assessment. 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.