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Published in July 2023
Contents
Overview of the screening template
Section A Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title or policy or decision to be screened
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
3. Aims and objectives of policy or decision to be screened
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
Section B Information on the consultation process
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
7. Available evidence
8. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories?
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people in Section 75 equality categories?
10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Section C 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?
13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
14. Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Screening assessment completed
Screening decision approved
Footnotes
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 by 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
Section A
Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title of policy or decision to be screened
Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme (SCDF)
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
(Explain if this is a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)
As part of an overall approach to addressing some of the negative behaviours associated with bonfires and our ongoing commitment to support local communities to promote positive cultural expression, the council has agreed to fund a programme for community diversionary festival activity – called Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme (SCDF). This has been delivered since 2018, where the overall aim has been to promote positive cultural expression through an engagement approach that supports local communities to deliver more inclusive events and address any negative behaviours previously associated with bonfires.
The SCDF programme provides support for the delivery of community-based festivals and programmes. All funded activity contributes to the reduction of anti-social behaviour linked to key dates over the summer period specifically 11 July and 8 August. All activity promotes promote positive cultural expression and contributes to achievement of the T;BUC outcomes of increasing participants’ sense of community belonging and celebrating cultural diversity.
The programme is delivered via an open call funding application process. As part of this process, groups can attend information sessions which are delivered in person and where required (during COVID-19) online.
Committee decision-making process
As in previous years, the final decision on which groups receive funding is made by elected members with officers carrying out assessments on applications and taking these to SP and R Committee for decisions. As this funding programme is part of the council’s approach to reducing issues associated with bonfires, SP and R Committee has delegated authority in respect of this decision.
It is important to note that the SCDF is only one element of Belfast City Council’s approach to many of the issues that are linked to the issue of bonfires. In 2018 a governance structure for the overall approach to the issue of bonfires was established. This included a programme board comprising the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, City Solicitor and Director of City and Neighbourhood Services. It was agreed that any decisions which required political consideration and approval would be brought to special meetings of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.
3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)
The aim of the programme is:
- To provide resources to communities to engage with issues relating to positive cultural expression through the provision of community diversionary festival activity.
- To support and fund community diversionary festival activity that will divert young people at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.
- To develop community capacity to deliver community diversionary festival activities at specific locations where there are negative community issues.
The total programme budget is £500,000, with £250,000 allocated for July-related activities and £250,000 allocated to August-related activities. Funding for the programme is provided through Belfast City Council.
To apply, groups must be able to answer 'yes' to all these criteria:
- Your project must be a minimum of £25,000 and maximum of £100,000.
- Your project meets the aims of the programme.
- You are based in Belfast. This means that organisations must have an office in and operational focus in the Belfast City Council local government district.
- Your organisation is formally constituted, in other words, have a constitution or memorandum and articles of association.
- You operate on a not-for-profit basis (taken from the constitution or memorandum and articles of association) as we cannot support commercial projects or projects that could be carried out commercially.
- You are not able to share out profits (taken from the constitution or memorandum and articles of association).
- Your organisation has three months’ most recent bank statements
- If your project involves working with young people, your organisation has relevant safeguarding and has child protection policies in place.
- Your organisation operates an equal opportunities policy and agrees to keep to relevant laws including the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997, the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976, Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.
| People | Actual or potential impact |
|---|---|
| Staff | Yes |
| Service users | Yes |
| Other public sector organisations | Yes |
| Voluntary, community groups and trade unions | Yes |
| Others, please specify | No |
Actual impacts
The SCDF aims to support the positive expression of culture through events in the lead up to times of tension in July and August, particularly with regards to bonfires during this period. This is a politically and socially sensitive issue on which there is a limited degree of consensus. This operating environment can be challenging for those involved in delivery and also for service users. The degree of sensitivity involved is highlighted by the fact that in July 2017, elected members of Belfast City Council (BCC) requested that an independent investigation into the BCC approach to bonfires and associated work be undertaken. Furthermore, it is worth noting that this is a Northern Ireland-wide issue with no policy or guidance provided by central government. From a policy perspective, the FICT report was published which aimed to look at these interrelated issues with recommendations but these have not been formally adopted by The Executive, further underlining the challenges in this area. In public discourse and media coverage delivery of the programme is often conflated with the actions taken by the council outside of the programme and in particular difficult issues associated with bonfires. This can result in in high numbers of calls in relation to the programme, members' queries about the assessment process.
Potential impacts
The environment around this funding programme, including the decision-making process and the complicated work around bonfires is dynamic and political views can change quickly dependent on external circumstances and the social and political environment across Belfast and throughout the region. This can create an environment where officers involved in delivery have to deal with sensitive issues.
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
A range of stakeholders are involved in responding to issues associated with bonfires and delivering programmes to reduce issues at times of tension throughout the summer. These include organisations such as:
- PSNI
- NIFRS
- TEO
- DoJ
- DfI
- DfC
- NIHE and others.
There is an interagency approach which works collectively in addressing issues of risk and harm arising from traditional bonfires and issues during the summer.
With regards to the delivery of the programme, which includes the delivery of large scale festival and cultural celebration events we work closely with statutory partners and local communities to manage and minimise the risks.
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 consultation process follows a similar approach as other council-funded programmes:
- Belfast City Council approve the scheme each year
- The programme is opened and advertised via, internal and external comms including social media. Local media and via our elected members
- Information roadshows are facilitated to support groups to make an application
- Groups apply to the programme
- Officers assess applications
- Members make decisions on funding
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
| Section 75 category | Details of evidence information and engagement |
|---|---|
| Religious belief |
On Census Day 2021, 48.7 per cent of the resident population of Belfast belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 36.4 per cent belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian-related)' religion. Assessment of previous programmes indicate that the majority of participants in the SCDF programme belong to or were brought up in a Catholic and 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian-related)' religion. This is a targeted programme which will seek to engage with issues associated with bonfires and issues throughout the summer it allows engagement with those of a different religious belief. The overall purpose of the programme is to have due regard to promote better relationships between people of different religious belief and political opinion. It will also contribute to the achievement of this overarching aim through other programmes, some of which are targeted at specific communities and others which work with all sections of the community. The programme, via diversionary work also aims to reduce tensions and have a positive impact on community relations throughout the summer. |
| Political opinion |
In May 2023, 60 councillors were elected to represent the people of Belfast. Councillors elected for each party are outlined in Table 1. These results reflect that Sinn Féin and the DUP are the two largest parties, representing republican and unionist political opinions. These parties have differing views on the issue of bonfires and this reflects the range of opinion within the wider population. However, all parties endorsed the 2023 SCDF which seeks to work in a targeted way to promote positive cultural expression. The programme will promote better relationships between people of different religious belief and political opinion. It will also contribute to the achievement of this overarching aim through other programmes, some of which are targeted at specific communities and others which work with all sections of the community. The programme, via diversionary work also aims to reduce tensions and have a positive impact on community relations throughout the summer. |
| Racial group | On Census Day 2021, in Belfast considering the resident population, 3 per cent were from an ethnic minority population and the remaining 97 per cent were white (including Irish Traveller). The overall purpose of the programme is to have due regard to promote better relationships between people of different religious belief and political opinion. It will also contribute to the achievement of this overarching aim through other programmes, some of which are targeted at specific communities and others which work with all sections of the community The programme, via diversionary work also aims to reduce tensions and have a positive impact on community relations throughout the summer. |
| Age |
The estimated population of Belfast LGD at the time of the Census 2021 was 345,418.
This programme includes engagement with younger people through those awarded funding. Those who are directly involved in building bonfires and at risk of participating in negative issues are primarily young people from areas of high deprivation. The programme, via diversionary work also aims to reduce tensions and have a positive impact on community relations throughout the summer. |
| Marital status |
The overall purpose of the programme is delivered is to have due regard to promote better relationships between the two different Section 75 (b) categories, namely people of different religious belief, political opinion. However, we recognise the intersection with other identities and the programme is open to people from all Section 75 categories. |
| Sexual orientation |
The overall purpose of the programme is delivered is to have due regard to promote better relationships between the two different Section 75 (b) categories, namely people of different religious belief, political opinion. However, we recognise the intersection with other identities and the programme is open to people from all Section 75 categories. |
| Men and women generally |
The overall purpose of the programme is delivered is to have due regard to promote better relationships between the two different Section 75 (b) categories, namely people of different religious belief, political opinion. However, we recognise the intersection with other identities and the programme is open to people from all Section 75 categories. |
| Disability |
The overall purpose of the programme is delivered is to have due regard to promote better relationships between the two different Section 75 (b) categories, namely people of different religious belief, political opinion. However, we recognise the intersection with other identities and the programme is open to people from all Section 75 categories. |
| Dependants |
The overall purpose of the programme is delivered is to have due regard to promote better relationships between the two different Section 75 (b) categories, namely people of different religious belief, political opinion. However, we recognise the intersection with other identities and the programme is open to people from all Section 75 categories. |
Table 1 Councillors from political parties elected to Belfast City Council in May 2023
| Political party | Total elected candidates |
|---|---|
| Sinn Féin | 22 |
| Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) | 14 |
| Alliance Party | 11 |
| Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) | 5 |
| Green Party Northern Ireland | 3 |
| People Before Profit Alliance | 1 |
| Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) | 2 |
| Independent | 1 |
| People Before Profit Alliance | 1 |
| Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) | 1 |
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?
| Section 75 category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
Positive.The majority of participants who take part in the SCDF Programme would be perceived to be from the Protestant or Catholic religion. The aim of the projects is to support the positive expression of culture and reduce negative issues associated with bonfires. |
Minor |
| Political opinion |
Positive. The majority of participants who take part in the SCDF Programme would be perceived to be from the Unionist, Loyalist or Nationalist, Republican background. The aim of the project is to support the positive expression of culture and reduces negative issues associated with bonfires. |
Minor |
| Racial group |
Positive. The programme facilitates family friendly events which can be accessible to people from different cultures. It also delivers educational and music events which is open to different cultures across Belfast. |
Minor |
| Age |
Positive. The programme facilitates events which are more accessible to young people. Including some of the major festival events there are approximately 17,000 young people who attend events as part of this programme. |
Minor |
| Marital status |
This is not applicable |
None |
| Sexual orientation |
This is not applicable |
None |
| Men and women generally |
This is not applicable |
None |
| Disability |
This is not applicable |
None |
| Dependants |
Positive. The programme facilitates family friendly events which are more accessible to people with dependents. |
Minor |
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?
| Section 75 category | If 'yes', provide details | If 'no', provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different religious belief. |
| Political opinion |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different political opinion. |
| Racial group |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different racial group. |
| Age |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different religious beliefs. |
| Marital status |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different religious beliefs. |
| Sexual orientation |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people of different sexual orientations. |
| Men and women generally |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between men and women generally. |
| Disability |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people with and without a disability. |
| Dependants |
This is not applicable |
At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote equality of opportunity between people with and without dependants. |
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?
| Good relations category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
The majority of participants who take part in the programme would be perceived to be of Protestant and Catholic religious belief. The project supports the positive expression of culture as part of welcoming, diverse city. This will have a positive impact on good relations between people of different religious beliefs. |
Minor |
| Political opinion |
The majority of participants who take part in the programme would be perceived to be of Unionist , Loyalist and Nationalist, Republican backgrounds The project supports the positive expression of culture as part of welcoming, diverse city. This will have a positive impact on good relations between people of different political opinions. |
Minor |
| Racial group | This is not applicable | None |
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
| Good relations category | If 'yes', provide details | If 'no', provide details |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
This is not applicable |
We will review the operation of the programme when it concludes in August 2023. At this stage, there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote good relations between people of different religious beliefs. |
| Political opinion |
This is not applicable |
We will review the operation of the programme in terms of its promotion of diversity when it concludes in August 2023. At this stage there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote good relations between people of different political opinions. |
| Racial group |
This is not applicable |
We will review the operation of the programme in terms of its promotion of diversity when it concludes in August 2023. At this stage there are no further opportunities to amend the programme to better promote good relations between people of different racial groups. |
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
No
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
No
14. Multiple identities
Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
No
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
Section 75 places a requirement for the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services and to help identify barriers to fair participation and 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.
| Equality | Good Relations | Disability Duties |
|---|---|---|
|
Project promoters will be asked to provide information on the community background of participants. |
Participants will have to make returns on the good relations impacts of their project. We will use this information when evaluating the programme and developing future programmes. | Organisers are asked to ensure that events are accessible for people with disabilities. |
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Title of proposed policy or decision being screened
Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme
I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:
- equality of opportunity and good relations
- disability duties
| On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy or decision is | |
|---|---|
| Screened in It is necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment (EQIA) |
Not applicable |
|
Screened out |
Yes |
Screened out
Mitigating actions (minor impacts)
We will continue to review monitoring data from the successful projects to ensure that the impact of the programme continues to have a positive impact on equality and good relations.
Screening assessment completed by
Name: Stevie Lavery
Date: 4 July 2023
Department: City and Neighbourhood Services
Screening decision approved by
Name: Nicola Lane
Date: 4 July 2023
Department: City and Neighbourhood Services
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 consultees.
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
Footnotes
[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)