Equality screening outcome report: Digital Programme

Published in May 2022

Contents

Overview of screening template

The council has a statutory duty to screen. This includes our strategies, plans, policies, legislative developments; and new ways of working such as the introduction, change or end of an existing service, grant funding arrangement or facility. This screening template is designed to help departments consider the likely equality impacts of their proposed decisions on different groups of customers, service users, staff and visitors.    

Before carrying out an equality screening exercise it is important that you have received the necessary training first. To find out about the training needed or any other queries on screening, contact the Equality and Diversity Officer Lorraine Dennis on extension 6027 or Lisa McKee on extension 6310 or email equality@belfastcity.gov.uk

The accompanying screening guidance note provides straightforward advice on how to carry out equality screening exercises. Detailed information about the Section 75 equality duties and what they mean in practice is available on the Equality Commission’s website^_[1]. 

The screening template has four sections to complete. These are:

• Section A  provides details about the policy or decision that is being screened
• Section B gives information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups
• Section C has four key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order  
• Section D is the formal record of the screening decision

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Section A

Details about the policy or decision to be screened.

1. Title of policy or decision to be screened

Digital Programme

2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened

(Explain is this a new, revised or existing policy?  Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)

This is a new screening for the capital procurements arising from the Digital Programme of work. 

3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)

Capital procurements arising from the Digital Programme of work are either core ICT infrastructure improvements or are business change projects that follow the implementation of a new back office or line of business system. 

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4. Who will the policy or decision impact?

Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.

5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?

Potentially for regional projects like the Planning Portal or for externally delivered services like the regional HMO service.

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Section B

Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations.

6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved

The Digital Programme of work is aligned to the current ICT Strategy 2018 – 2021. The strategy has been extended until Apr 2023 as a consequence of the pandemic. The development of the strategy included:

• Interviews with departmental stakeholders to understand business requirements from IT and to listen to departmental perspectives on IT provision.
• Collaborative workshops with stakeholders to outline a current state assessment and to create a future state blueprint.
• Best practice research and analysis

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7. Available evidence

What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy?  Set out all evidence to help inform your screening assessment. It is important to record information gathered from a variety of sources such as: monitoring information; complaints; research surveys; consultation exercises from other public authorities.

8. What is the likely impact (indicate if the policy impact is positive or negative) on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? What is the level of impact?

9.  Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?

10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact (positive or negatively) on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? What is the level of impact? 

11.  Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?  

Section C

Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order. Questions 12 and 13 relate to these areas.

Consideration of Disability Duties

12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?

Explain your assessment in full

Yes, by building in accessible design into the delivery of technology services. Also, by raising awareness of accessibility with staff and third party suppliers through the procurement and design of accessible solutions and training.

13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?

Explain your assessment in full

Yes, by building in accessible design into the delivery of technology services. Also, by raising awareness of accessibility with staff and third party suppliers through the procurement and design of accessible solutions and training.

14. Multiple identities

Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities

This is not applicable.

15. Monitoring arrangements

Section 75 places a requirement the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place:

• to assess the impact of policies and services
• to help identify barriers to fair participation
• to better promote equality of opportunity

Outline what data you will collect in the future to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.

Section D

Formal record of screening decision

Title of proposed policy or decision being screened

Digital Programme

I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:

• equality of opportunity and good relations
• disability duties

Screened out
Mitigating actions (minor impacts)

• Provide a brief note to explain how this decision was reached
• Explain what mitigating actions or policy changes will now be introduced.

Mitigations will be put in place to ensure that accessible standards are maintained and accessibility clauses will be built into all technology procurement exercises.

Screening assessment completed by

Name:     Paul Gribben
Date: 18 May 2022
Department : Finance and Resources

Screening decision approved by

Name:
Date: 
Department:   

Please save the Word final version of the completed screening form and email to the Equality and Diversity Officer: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk  A link to this screening form will be provided to the council's Section 75 consultee.

For more information about equality screening, contact:

Lorraine Dennis or Lisa McKee
Equality and Diversity Unit
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone:  028 9027 0511
Email: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk

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Footnotes

^[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)

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