Equality Impact Assessment Form
Part 1: Initial Screening
1. Persons responsible for this assessment:
Name: Gary Kennison Telephone: 01452 425679
Service: Ecology (Biodiversity) E-Mail: [email protected]
Directorate: Environment Date of Assessment: February 2010
2. Name of the policy, service, strategy, procedure or function:
Ecological Advice (Service/Function) incorporating Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan (Policies/Procedures) [56 & 58] Is this new or an existing one? Existing
3. Briefly describe its aims and objectives To provide an Ecological Service related to the environmental duties and policies of the Council. The Ecological Service aims to protect and enhance Gloucestershire’s environment by giving specialist advice on matters relating to biodiversity across the Authority. Advise on ensuring statutory compliance with wildlife legislation across County Council functions and services. Technical input into forward planning and control of waste, minerals, transport and school developments. Contribute to the council’s broader objectives for sustainability, particularly climate change. Have the role of a lead partner within the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership and promote the implementation of the Gloucestershire and Cotswold Water Park Biodiversity Action Plans. Pilot the supply of ecological advice to district authorities without an ecologist.
4. Who is intended to benefit from it and in what way? Biodiversity conservation and enhancement in the County is benefited and this in turn benefits people who depend upon it.
The service aids social, health and economic well-being and the quality of life for the County’s residents, workers and visitors. The link between biodiversity and the well-being of people is reported in ‘Ecosystems and human well-being’ by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) and usefully summarised by Natural England in ‘No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment’ (2009). Available at http://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.354.aspx.pdf and http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/nochargev2_tcm6-14259.pdf . Also see the COHAB website at http://www.cohabnet.org/index.htm .
The service advises mainly County Council staff but also businesses applying for planning permission, other members of the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership (when required) and on an ad hoc basis the general public (mainly to refer them on to other organisations and useful sources of information).
1. What outcomes are expected? Through conserving and enhancing biodiversity we contribute to maintaining and improving people’s well-being and the quality of life (see above). One example is through input into the Strategic Infrastructure Delivery Project where delivery of improved Green Infrastructure in and close to towns will enhance biodiversity and provide accessible greenspace for residents and workers. County wide adaptation measures will make biodiversity and communities more resilient to the adverse effects of climate change.
6. Have you consulted on this policy, service, strategy, procedure or function? Yes Details of consultation The Ecological Service was set up in 2002 in consultation with Natural England (English Nature) and the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust as well as internally within the council. The service has expanded its scope since then to take account of increasing levels of environmental legislation. However the ecology service still only employs one full-time ecologist. A part-time temporary ecologist is also currently employed to assist but is mainly concerned with exploring a district ecological advisory service (which Tewkesbury Borough Council are now signed up to). In 2007, in consultation with Gloucestershire Biodiversity Partnership members, it was agreed that the council would host (but not employ) the Biodiversity Co-ordinator and Project Officer for the County. Various documents that facilitate the running of the service and provide procedures, actions and guidance to customers (mainly internal) have been consulted upon, e.g. ‘Gloucestershire Highways Biodiversity Plan (2009)’, ‘Biodiversity and Legislation (2008)’ and drafts of the proposed new ‘Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan’. See for further details: http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13190 http://staffnet/index.cfm?articleid=8553 http://gloucestershirebap.org.uk/index.php 7. What evidence has been used for this assessment? Experience of running the service including feedback from customers (mainly internal) and partners (external). Various consultation exercises. Reference to Natural England and COHAB Initiative material on the benefits of biodiversity to health and well-being of people. See also 4, 5 & 6 above.
8. Could a particular group be affected differently in either a negative or positive way?
Please evidence that you have used the Consultation toolkit and planning template http://staffnet/index.cfm?articleid=5203
Negative Positive Neutral Evidence The service by helping to protect and enhance biodiversity ensures people of all ages are more likely to be able to access greenspace. Robust populations of species in the county will generally mean a close encounter with Age wildlife is more likely especially close to home. This brings the benefits of good health and well-being. Biodiversity is also a resource for learning about the natural world throughout life. Wildlife can be experienced through several senses, e.g. sight, sound, smell and touch. This brings the benefits of well-being and good health. The service by helping to protect and enhance biodiversity ensures people Disability with a disability are more likely to experience biodiversity. Robust populations of species in the county will generally mean a close encounter with wildlife is more likely especially close to home. Gender No specific impacts identified including Transgender Race No specific impacts identified including Gypsy and Traveller The service by helping to Religion protect and enhance or Belief biodiversity is in accord with many religions and beliefs. Sexual No specific impacts identified orientation Other groups No specific impacts identified Describe how the proposed activity, The service contributes policy, strategy, service, procedure or positively to community functions will contribute to Community cohesion and to ‘A better Cohesion. environment’, ‘A place where You will need to consider; the future matters’ ‘A place is there equality between those who where people want to live’ will and won’t benefit from the (Sustainable Community proposal Strategy aims 2001-2017). are there strong relationships between groups and communities in the area Greenspace (especially if affected and will the proposed action local and of biodiversity promote positive relationships value) attracts people and does the proposal bring groups/ makes it more likely that communities and groups Community communities into increased contact come into contact with each cohesi with each other other. Sense of place and on ownership by communities can be supported by the service’s functions.
The service contributes to making communities more resilent to climate change (e.g. Sustainable Drainage Systems and natural wetlands can help to alleviate flooding).
No part of a community is disadvantaged. 9. If you have identified a negative impact in Question 8 complete this section
Are there any other policies, services, strategies, procedures or functions that need to be assessed alongside this screening?
No - this assessment covers the whole ecological service/function and procedures
If Yes, please identify which groups are affected
Should the policy, service, strategy, procedure or function proceed to a full Equality Impact Assessment?
No
If the answer is no please give reasons for this decision
No equality group was identified as being disadvantaged or negatively impacted Date by which full Equality Impact Assessment is to be completed
N/A
Declaration We are satisfied that an initial screening has been carried out on this policy, service, strategy, procedure or function * (delete those which do not apply) and a full Equality Impact Assessment is / is not required.
We understand that the Equality Impact Assessment is required by the County Council and that we take responsibility for the completion and quality of this assessment
Completed by: Gary Kennison Date: 25th February 2010
Role: Principal Ecologist
Countersigned by Head of Service Date:
Date for Review: January 2015
Please forward an electronic copy to the Equalities Team by emailing
The original signed hard copy and electronic copy should be kept with your team for audit purposes.