Commercial Property Management Equality Impact Assessment

Name of policies to be assessed

Commercial Property Management

1. What is the main purpose of the policies?

The main purpose of the policies is to:

• manage the council’s commercial property portfolio in accordance with good estate management practice, RICS codes of practice and strategic objectives of the council within the statutory framework
• maximise capital and revenue income

2. What main areas or activities does the policies cover?

• Rent reviews
• Lease renewals
• Valuations
• Marketing
• New lease arrangements

3. Are there changes to an existing policy being considered in this assessment?

There are no changes to an existing policy being considered in this assessment.

4. Who are the main audience, users or customers who will be affected by the policy?

The main groups who will be affected by the policy are:

• internal customers
• agents
• current and prospective tenants
• landlords
• community groups

5. What outcomes does the council want to achieve from the policy?

The outcomes that the policy should achieve are:

• maintenance of asset values and maximisation of income and community benefit

6. Are other service areas or partner agencies involved in delivery?

Legal and planning services.

7. The ‘general duty’

The ‘general duty’ states that we must have “due regard” to the need to:

1. eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
2. advance equality of opportunity between people who share a ‘protected characteristic¹’ and those who do not²
3. foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not³

Not all policies help us to meet the ‘general duty’, but most do.

This policy helps us to meet the ‘general duty’ by:

• having clear marketing and lease documents, free from jargon

8. Disproportionate impacts

This section helps us to identify any disproportionate impacts. We will indicate whether the policy is likely to particularly benefit or disadvantage any of the 'protected characteristics'.

Disability – sensory

Positive impact

The policy provides access to clear marketing particulars and lease documents.

Language – English not as a first language

Positive impact

Positive impacts are the same as those for disability. 

Summary and findings of Initial Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)

9. Confirmation of findings

There are four options to describe the finding of the EqIA:

1. No negative impacts have been identified – Action is to sign off screening and finish.
2. Negative impacts have been identified but have been minimised or removed  - Action is to sign off screening and finish.
3. Negative impacts could not be minimised or removed – Action is to sign off screening and complete a full impact assessment – Section 2.
4. There is insufficient evidence to make a judgement - Action is to sign off screening and complete a full impact assessment – Section 2.

The findings and action are confirmed as (a). No negative impacts have been identified. Action is to sign off screening and finish.

10. Name and job title of person completing this form

Elizabeth Simpson, Head of Estates, Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd.

11. Date of completion

09 January 2023. 

12. Date for update or review of this screening

09 January 2026. 

• [1] The Equality Act’s `protected characteristics’ include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex and sexual orientation. It also covers marriage and civil partnerships, but not for all aspects of the duty.
• [2] This involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to: (a) remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who share a protected characteristic that are connected to that characteristic; (b) take steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it, and (c) encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate in public life or in any other activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low.
• [3] This involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to (a) tackle prejudice, and (b) promote understanding.