North Essex Parking Partnership Parking permits and associated services

Name of policies to be assessed

North Essex Parking Partnership Parking permits and associated services

1. What is the main purpose of the policies?

To ensure that there is an agreed, fair and transparent, process by which parking permits are allocated to residents, visitors and carers 
within parking restricted areas of the Parking Partnership.

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

Resident, visitor and carer parking within restricted parking areas.

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

Yes – the existing charges are being reviewed in March 2023, including:

• fees for first permits; fees for second permits, fees for additional and visitor permits;
• fees for exemption certificates, season tickets and dispensations; and
• administrative charges for other services;
• Existing arrangements are also reviewed as part of this EqIA which include:
• Resident Parking Permit (Disabled Drivers) – remain free of charge but require proof of disability from a GP

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

Residents of North Essex who live in parking restricted areas as well as their visitors and carers.

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

Open, fair and transparent processes and pricing

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

The policy is part of and consistent with NEPP arrangements which affect those authorities within the scheme.

7. Relevant information, data, surveys or consultations

• Information on available permits is available on the Council website which has been referred to in this assessment. 
• Data analysis has not been incorporated into this EqIA although a review date has been arranged for 2025 to allow this to take place as a means of assessing impacts upon vulnerable groups including those that fall within the Equality Act’s ‘protected characteristics’

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

• Fair and transparent arrangements and processes help to guard against unlawful discrimination.
• The policy helps to advance ‘equality of opportunity’ for people who have need of care and support including but not limited to 
  older people and people with a disability. 
• Ensuring we have a clear and fair policy for dealing with applications which will maintain standards for the service NEPP offers its customers.

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.

It is not held this policy change will impact on this duty.

This policy has no specific impact on improving health/reducing health inequalities for residents.

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

Positive impact

This group is more likely to experience disability and require care and support at home. Policy arrangements are sufficiently flexible, and an appropriate degree of discretion is included, to ensure that this group’s needs are likely to be met.

Negative impact

There may be a perception that, as customers are encouraged to use ‘self-service’ (web-based access to Council services), this group could be disadvantaged. Whilst it is generally perceived that older people are less likely to use IT in their daily routines, research indicates that this group tends to want to acquire or improve IT skills in order to enhance quality of life. The University of Sheffield COBALT (Challenging Obstacles and Barriers Assisted Living Technology) Research Team reported that older people recognise the benefits and convenience that devices such as smart or mobile phones, tablets and computers offer, and are keen to find ways that enable them to continue doing the things that are important to them and which meet their needs. The main requirement for this age group is that the technology is easy to use, which is a principle that the Council applies across all age ranges. We provide clear guidance on functionality and accessibility whilst continuing to engage with Age UK and other organisations that offer support

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

Positive impact

n/a

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

Positive impact

The policy contains specific provision for this group through the Resident Parking Permit (Disabled Drivers) which is free of charge but requires proof of disability from a GP. The Resident Parking Permit for Carers is new. Customers apply direct and explain their circumstances and needs. Arrangements are sufficiently flexible, and an appropriate degree of discretion is included, to ensure that this group’s needs are likely to be met.

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

Positive impact

n/a

Language – English not as a first language

Positive impact

n/a

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

Positive impact

n/a

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

Positive impact

n/a

Sex – Men and Women

Positive impact

n/a

Gender reassignment - Transgender/Transsexual

Positive impact

n/a

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

Positive impact

n/a

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

Positive impact

n/a

10. How negative impacts be minimised or removed?

• Disability (sensory) - The policy includes a move towards on-line forms and ‘virtual’ visitors’ permits which could potentially disadvantage this group. The Council’s website includes various accessibility tools including Browse-Aloud which is particularly helpful for those who have visual impairments (and also for those who are dyslexic). Through this feature, text is ‘read’ to the customer for free from a Smartphone, Tablet, PC or Mac. In addition, the ‘assisted service’ can provide help and assistance on the telephone and customers with a hearing impairment can access text talk services for additional help. 
• Language - Customers who do not have English as a first language could potentially be disadvantaged by the policy whose literature and online guidance is provided in English. Accessibility options on the Council’s website include ‘Google Translate’ which can be applied by the customer to text and forms. Additional translation services can be accessed by Council staff on behalf of customers.

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

Richard Walker

14. Date of completion

02 March 2023

15. Date for update or review of this screening

March 2025 coincident with the end of the present fee structure recommendations,