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 the Land at Parkview Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw, ML2 9AX.
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 have used or may benefit from future use of the Land at Parkview Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw, ML2 9AX;
- 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?
The proposal is not expected to result in any significant revenue saving.
Small saving will be achieved through the current ongoing maintenance schedule.
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 operating 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 potential positive impacts across a broad range of groups.
Age
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities and development of further wellbeing activities.
Disabled people and people with long term health conditions
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities and development of further wellbeing activities. While the asset provides physical accessibility, future operators will need to consider wider barriers to participation to ensure equal access.
Care experienced young people
Potential benefits through increased access to community activities and wellbeing activities.
Carers
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities and development of further wellbeing activities.
Pregnancy and maternity
Potential positive impacts through access to community facilities and development of further family focussed activities.
Children and families
Positive impacts through increased services, activities and opportunities for family participation.
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 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.