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 competing Community Asset Transfer applications for Glenmavis 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 have used or may benefit from future use of Glenmavis Community Centre;
- the implications of restoring a community facility to active use;
- 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 any 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?
This is not a budget saving proposal. The building is currently not in use and there are no direct savings associated with the decision.
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. Re-establishing the facility will increase access to affordable activities, community support and volunteering opportunities. Returning the building to active use 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 children, young people, adults and older people.
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
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
Positive impacts through access to community facilities and activities such as toddler groups and family focused provision.
Children and families
Positive impacts through restored 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 centre becomes operational again, 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 returning Glenmavis Community Centre 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 centre is returned to community use, with post transfer arrangements in place to support delivery, monitor participation and ensure community benefit is achieved.