What is the policy/strategy/function/ trying to achieve/do?
The purpose of this assessment is to consider the equality and Fairer Scotland Duty implications associated with the Council’s determination of the Community Asset Transfer application for Gowkthrapple Community Centre.
The Council is required to determine the applications in accordance with Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and must consider community benefit, sustainability, organisational capacity, financial viability, deliverability, risk and wider public interest.
The assessment focuses on:
- the potential impact on people who use or may benefit from future use of Gowkthrapple Community Centre;
- the implications of transferring ownership of a community facility to a community organisation;
- opportunities to increase participation, inclusion and community empowerment;
- potential impacts on protected characteristic groups and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage;
- fairness and transparency of the assessment process; and
- the equality implications associated with the recommended transfer decision.
The assessment does not seek to determine the future detailed operational policies of the applicant organisation. Rather, it considers whether the Council’s decision-making process has appropriately considered equalities and fairness issues.
If this is a budget saving, how will the saving be achieved?
There will be a budget saving from the sale of an operational community asset. Savings will be achieved through cost of utilities, ongoing maintenance, insurance, waste uplift and caretaker hours.
If this policy is subject to the FSD what does it suggest about the impact or potential impact on socio-economic disadvantage?
The proposal is likely to have a positive impact on socio economic disadvantage. The applicant proposes that opening the facility will increase access to affordable activities, community support and volunteering opportunities. Putting the asset into community ownership may also improve community resilience, reduce social isolation and support wellbeing in an area experiencing deprivation.
Give details of the impact it has on groups and individuals
The decision is expected to have positive impacts across a broad range of groups.
Age
Improved access to activities and opportunities for adults and older people, primarily males, through the groups core activities but with wider community use proposed.
Disabled people and people with long term health conditions
Improved access to social participation and wellbeing opportunities. While the building provides physical accessibility, future operators will need to consider wider barriers to participation to ensure equal access.
Care experienced young people
Aged 18-25, potential benefits through increased access to community activities and support networks.
Carers
Improved access to local support networks, social opportunities and community participation.
Pregnancy and maternity
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities generally. Gowkthrapple is currently a 38 week centre, the applicant proposes returning it to 52 week operation.
Children and families
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities generally. Gowkthrapple is currently a 38 week centre, the applicant proposes returning it to 52 week operation.
Wider community groups
Community members across all protected characteristics, including those experiencing social isolation or disadvantage, may benefit from increased access to services, activities and social connections by ensuring that inclusive practices are promoted, embedded, maintained and monitored.
What actions/measures will be put in place or are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality?
Actions focus on ensuring that if the facility is transferred, future operators are to ensure inclusive access and ongoing monitoring.
- Future operators will be encouraged to implement equality, safeguarding and accessibility policies and consider reasonable adjustments where required.
- Future operators will be encouraged to monitor and actively promote community engagement to ensure broad access across different groups.
- The Council will agree post transfer actions and collect reporting data on equal access and community participation.
What is the result/recommendations of the EqIA
The EQIA indicates that transferring the asset to active community use is likely to deliver positive outcomes through improved access to facilities, increased participation and strengthened community wellbeing. No significant adverse impacts have been identified, and the proposals demonstrate potential to support equality of access and community engagement. Actions will focus on ensuring inclusive access, appropriate policies and ongoing monitoring are in place. It is recommended that the asset is transferred to community use, with post transfer arrangements in place to support delivery, monitor participation and ensure community benefit is achieved.