Equality Impact Assessment Processing of Planning and Listed Building applications

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Equality Impact Assessment

Processing of Planning and

Listed Building applications

Details of the assessment

Name of Function/Policy/

Service being assessed

Processing of Planning and Listed

Building Applications

Is the policy…? New (please go to step 1)

Existing:

Directorate & Service Planning

Policy Owner Mr J Kehoe

Key Questions Answers/Notes

Step 2 Clarifying the aims

1. What is the overall aim, or purpose of the

function/policy/service?

To make planning decisions consistent with the Development Plan and other guidance.

2. What outcomes do you want to achieve with this function/ policy/service and for whom?

To bring about or prevent development as set out in the Development Plan. To make decisions on time. To do this with high quality customer service.

3. Who is intended to benefit from the function/service/ policy?

In principle, the whole residential, visitor and business communities of the

Borough. More specifically, those affected by development or intended beneficiaries of development. A

particular concern is groups who could be missed out from our usual means of communication and engagement. 4. Who defines or defined the

function/service/policy?

National legislation and guidance, the Council’s Constitution, Statement of Community Involvement, and Service specific plans and Customer Service Charter.

5. Who implements the function/service/policy?

Principally the Development

Management and Support teams of Planning Service. The development decisions are guided by the Development Plan. The DM and Support teams have established procedures for the

processing of applications to maintain consistency.

6. How do the outcomes of the function/service/policy meet or hinder other policies, values or objectives of the public authority (if applicable)?

The processing of applications includes important judgements that affect the delivery of other services, usually so as to bring about their objectives.

Please select which corporate priority these outcomes relate to: All are relevant

7. What factors or forces are at play that could contribute or detract from the outcomes identified earlier?

Changes in economic market conditions. Delivery of customer services across a wide geographical area. Staff training including induction.

Step 3 Consideration of data and information

8. What do you already know about who uses this

function/service/ policy?

Data on the population, businesses and visitors to the Borough, includes small area data.

• Tri-ennial National and local survey of

up’ surveys of users.

• List of user groups in our SCI.

• Meetings of frequent users (architects,

designers and agents) and Local Councils.

• During the processing of applications

we contact neighbouring householders and busineses.

• We receive complaints from some

users.

• Feedback received from annual Ward

Walks. 9. Has any consultation with

service users already taken place on the function/

service/policy and if so what were the key findings?

Feedback is received from:

• The above consultations generally,

prompting e.g. preparation of the Planning Customer Charter;

• User Groups leading to e.g. higher

priority for pre-application discussions and publication of advisory leaflets.

• Specific exercises for some groups of

the population e.g. affordable housing needs assessments; gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment.

10. What, if any, additional information is needed to assess the impact of the function/service/policy?

Further information on non-users and non-respondents, to see why they are not engaged with.

11. How do you propose to gather the additional information?

Via other officers (e.g. Access Officer, Economic Development Officers) and established interest groups (see SCI) and partners (e.g. LSP).

Step 4 Assessing the Impact

12. Based on what information you already know, in relation to each of the following groups consider whether

a) there is anything in the function/service/policy that could discriminate or put anyone at a disadvantage

b) for an existing function/service/policy, how it is actually working in practice for each group

a. Hard-to-reach groups

People aged over 50+ (especially those in rural areas)

People in rural areas who need paper documents. Paper copies are sent to Parish Councils.

b. People aged

11-19.

May be under represented as letters are sent to heads of household.

Key Questions Answers/Notes

c. Minority Ethnic

Communities (particularly those who do not speak English)

Letters are sent in English. There are multi-lingual messages on principal documents but not leaflets.

d. New communities

e.g. New Europeans

Letters are sent in English. There are multi-lingual messages on principal documents.

e. Equality groups

Age As (a), (b) above.

f. Disability Access to plans, documents, could be difficult. g. Gender No h. Race No i. Religion/Belief No j. Sexual Orientation No

Step 5 Reviewing and Scrutinising the Impact

13. Have you identified any differential impact and does this adversely affect any groups in the community?

We have identified some ‘differential’ impacts. Effects relate largely to forms of coomunication. If we are contacted, we provide alternative means of

advice/communication. For example, copies of drawings have been sent to housebound customers. A case officer visited a blind customer to explain planning application proposals. 14. If there is an adverse impact

can it be avoided, can we make changes, can we lessen it etc?

As in steps (3), (11) above. Then amend our service accordingly.

15. If there is nothing you can do, can the reasons be fairly justified?

Not applicable.

16. Do any of the changes in relation to the adverse impact have a further adverse affect on any other group?

Based on your answers in questions 13-15, please finalise your actions here. These actions will then be incorporated into our equality action plans to be carried out after you have completed this assessment.

Equality Strand

Objective Action Outcome/monitoring

information and targets Date for Completion

Implemented by If an adverse impact was found or unmet needs identified, which actions will you put in place to address this:

If the impact is still unclear, list the actions you will put in place to gather the information you need: Identify and contact interest groups where we suspect there are unmet needs.

Improved information about unmet needs. Review September 2013... Corporate Change our processing practices to overcome or reduce unmet needs.

Reduced level of unmet needs, improved customer service

September 2013. Also ongoing review as specific cases arises. This may result in changes/modifications to procedures 2009

Mr J Kehoe

If you did not find any evidence of unmet needs or adverse impact, list the actions you will put in place to maintain good practice:

Key Questions Answers/Notes

Step 6 Formal Consultation

process do these changes need to go through i.e. do they need to be approved by a committee/Council?

Planning Services Management Team

18. How will you continue to monitor the impact of the function/service/ policy on diverse groups?

On going customer questionnaires

19. When will you review this