Leisure pool online bookings

Name of policies to be assessed

Online booking systems

1. What is the main purpose of the policies?

The main purpose of the policies is to:

• To allow customers to make online bookings – primarily for our pools.
• To reduce queuing at peak times.

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

Sport and Leisure facilities

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

n/a

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:

• Sport and Leisure customers
• Sport and Leisure staff

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

• Improved customer journey
• Better customer service
• Better control of facilities

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

• Third party software provider for online bookings process

7. Relevant information, data, surveys or consultations

• Verbal customer feedback requesting online bookings for the pools
• Written customer feedback requesting online bookings for the pools

8. 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 characteristic²’ and those who do not³
3. foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not⁴

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

None identified in this policy

9. Improving residents health

The Council has an important role in improving residents’ health under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. This relates to both its ‘core functions’ (such as housing, leisure, green spaces and environmental health) and to its ‘enabling roles’ (such as economic development, planning and engaging with communities) 5 . The Council recognises that its Public Sector Equality Duty and its role in improving health are interrelated and mutually supportive. This is especially true across the ‘protected characteristics’ of age and disability.

How this policy helps us to improve health/reduce health inequalities for residents

• More people may be encouraged to swim as they can book in advance to secure a visit time.
• Reduces the need to join busy queues with long wait times.
• Introduces fast-track entry for all.

10. 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'.

Age - older people (60+) and younger people (17-25)

Positive impact

Whilst online bookings are the preferred route, there will be staff available to assist customers with bookings and we will still take bookings in-person for those unable to use online technology

Negative impact

Whilst online bookings will prevent some people from accessing this service we do recognise this and alternative options of in-person bookings will be available.

Age - those who are typically in the age group 45-55

Positive impact

Whilst online bookings are the preferred route, there will be staff available to assist customers with bookings and we will still take bookings in-person for those unable to use online technology

Negative impact

Whilst online bookings will prevent some people from accessing this service we do recognise this and alternative options of in-person bookings will be available.

Disability – physical, sensory, learning, mental health issues, other

Positive impact

Whilst online bookings are the preferred route, there will be staff available to assist customers with bookings and we will still take bookings in-person for those unable to use online technology

Negative impact

Whilst online bookings will prevent some people from accessing this service we do recognise this and alternative options of in-person bookings will be available.

Ethnicity - White; Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups; Asian or Asian British; Black, Black British, Caribbean or African; Other ethnic group

n/a

Language – English not as a first language

Positive impact

Whilst online bookings are the preferred route, there will be staff available to assist customers with bookings and we will still take bookings in-person for those unable to use online technology

Negative impact

Whilst online bookings will prevent some people from accessing this service we do recognise this and alternative options of in-person bookings will be available.

Pregnancy and maternity - Women who are pregnant or have given birth in the last 26 weeks

n/a

Religion or belief - People with a religious belief (or none)

n/a

Sex – Men and Women

n/a

Gender reassignment - Transgender/Transsexual

n/a

Sexual Orientation – Straight/Heterosexual, Gay or Lesbian, Bisexual, Other sexual orientation

n/a

Marriage and Civil Partnership - People who are married or in a civil partnership

n/a

11. How negative impacts be minimised or removed?

• There will be staff available to assist customers with bookings
• Bookings can be made in-person and by telephone for those unable to use online technology

12. Could the policy discriminate⁵ against any ‘protected characteristic’ either directly or indirectly?

No

Summary and findings of Initial Equality Impact Assessment

13. 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 ( B). Negative impacts have been identified but have been minimised or removed  - Action is to sign off screening and finish.

14. Name and job title of person completing this form

Zoe Punchard Business Controls & Improvement Manager

15. Date of completion

25 April 2022

16. Date for update or review of this screening

31 December 2023

• [1] National Census 2021 ethnicity categories are: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British; Irish; Gypsy or Irish Traveller; Roma; Any other White background (White); White and Black Caribbean; White and Black African; White and Asian; Any other Mixed or Multiple backgrounds (Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups); Indian; Pakistani; Bangladeshi; Chinese; Any Other Asian background (Asian or Asian British); Caribbean; African; Any other Black, Black British or Caribbean, Any other Black, Black British or Caribbean background (Black, Black British, Caribbean or African); Arab, Any other ethnic group (Other ethnic group).
• [2] 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. 
• [3] 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 is 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.
• [4] This involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to (a) tackle prejudice, and (b) promote understanding.
• [5] The Council has a general duty to ‘eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation’. Direct discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another in a comparable situation because of their `protected characteristic’ whether on grounds of age, disability, pregnancy and maternity, ethnicity; religion or belief; sex (gender), sexual orientation, or marriage and civil partnership. Indirect discrimination occurs when an apparently neutral provision or practise would nevertheless disadvantage people on the grounds of their `protected characteristic’.