Neighbourhood Services Reducing spend on Sports Pitches

Name of policies to be assessed

Neighbourhood Services – Reducing spend on Sports Pitches

1. What is the main purpose of the policies?

A review will take place on the maintenance undertaken by the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Contractor with regards to Sports Pitches during the playing season and in the off season. The review will also incorporate the transfer of management and / or ownership to others (Parish Councils / Sports Club) with an appropriate payment.

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

• Grass cutting frequency during the season
• Renovation works during the off season
• The number of sports pitches and sites available may reduce
• Parish Councils or Sports Clubs may not be able to fund / take over the management of sports pitches

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:

• Residents
• Sports Clubs
• Schools
• Council’s Grounds Maintenance contractor

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

A total of £50,000 in budget savings has been allocated against this theme which can be achieved by the Council reducing it’s spend on sports pitches.

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

• The Council’s Grounds Maintenance contractor Idverde.
• Colchester City Council’s Sport and Leisure Services

7. Relevant information, data, surveys or consultations

Usage data on sports pitches is held by another service and can be obtained upon request.

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.

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

n/a

9. 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'.

This policy will help sustain health and physical activities by continuing to provide adequate numbers of sites and sports pitches, maintained to an acceptable standard

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

Language – English not as a first language

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

Sex – Men and Women

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

Gender reassignment - Transgender/Transsexual

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Negative impact

Number of pitches accessible may reduce.

10. How negative impacts be minimised or removed?

No areas of potential negative impact have been identified.

11. Could the policy discriminate against any ‘protected characteristic’ either directly or indirectly?

No

Summary and findings of Initial Equality Impact Assessment

12. 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.

13. Name and job title of person completing this form

Nick Christo, Parks, Countryside & Greening Operations Manager

14. Date of completion

12 January 2023

15. Date for update or review of this screening

11 January 2026