City of York Council

Equalities Impact Assessment

Who is submitting the proposal?

Directorate:		Economy and Place
Service Area:		Smart Transport
Name of the proposal :		Defra Air Quality funding – low emission deliveries
Lead officer:		Dave Atkinson
Date assessment completed:		19.04.2021
Names of those who contributed to the assessment :
Name	Job title		Organisation	Area of expertise
Lucy Atkinson	Sustainability Project Manager		City of York Council	PM

Step 1 – Aims and intended outcomes 

1.1	What is the purpose of the proposal?
	The Air Quality funding aims to deliver a feasibility study to identify and understand the range of sustainable option(s) for moving freight (light goods) around York to reduce emissions from HGVs and LGVs entering the city, and to test one of these options as part of a pilot

1.2	Are there any external considerations? (Legislation/government directive/codes of practice etc.)
	The funding from Defra is outlined in Annex 1 and is to be used to address emissions associated with delivery vehicles in York. National Air Quality objectives and York’s Air Quality Management Area.

1.3

Who are the stakeholders and what are their interests?

City of York Council – interested in delivery and outcomes of project for the city. Defra – funding provider – interested in delivery and outcomes. York Civic Trust, York BID, Make It York, York Retail Forum – interested in delivery and outcomes for the city. Particularly the impact for businesses operating in the city. Delivery operators and drivers (national and local) – interested in delivery and outcomes, particularly for future operation of deliveries in York. Businesses (national retailers etc. and local) – interested in delivery of project and outcomes, particularly for own operations and impact on deliveries.

1.4

What results/outcomes do we want to achieve and for whom?  This section should explain what outcomes you want to achieve for service users, staff and/or the wider community. Demonstrate how the proposal links to the Council Plan (2019- 2023) and other corporate strategies and plans.

The longer-term outcome of the funding will support reduced emissions associated with deliveries in York, especially in the city centre. Through the feasibility study and pilot, it is expected that · Businesses and delivery organisations in York are engaged in / receiving deliveries via pilot delivery hub · Reduced number of HGV/LGVs, particularly diesel vans) entering the city on selected intervention route · Potential reduction in emissions of NOx, PM and CO2 on selected intervention route · Potential reduction in damage to buildings and road surfaces through reduced HGV access (longer-term) The funding proposals support the Council Plan – moving to a Greener and Cleaner City and Getting Around Sustainably.

Step 2 – Gathering the information and feedback 

2.1	What sources of data, evidence and consultation feedback do we have to help us understand the impact of the proposal on equality rights and human rights? Please consider a range of sources, including: consultation exercises, surveys, feedback from staff, stakeholders, participants, research reports, the views of equality groups, as well your own experience of working in this area etc.
Source of data/supporting evidence		Reason for using
Existing engagement with businesses		Previous and existing engagement has identified barriers and enablers for businesses, some of which have relevance for equality and human rights.
Previous and existing work from York Civic Trust on freight		Previous and existing work has identified relevant stakeholders and potential changes that could support low emission deliveries in York.
Existing engagement with disabled groups and other users of York’s footstreets		Outcomes of feasibility study may lead to recommendations on how the footstreets are used by delivery drivers.

Step 3 – Gaps in data and knowledge

3.1	What are the main gaps in information and understanding of the impact of your proposal?  Please indicate how any gaps will be dealt with.
Gaps in data or knowledge		Action to deal with this
Impact of proposed recommendations from the feasibility study on people with protected characteristics.		To be considered as part of the decision to implement recommendations.
Impact of pilot on people with protected characteristics.		To be considered as part of the pilot design, and evaluation.

Step 4 – Analysing the impacts or effects.

4.1	Please consider what the evidence tells you about the likely impact (positive or negative) on people sharing a protected characteristic, i.e. how significant could the impacts be if we did not make any adjustments? Remember the duty is also positive – so please identify where the proposal offers opportunities to promote equality and/or foster good relations.
Equality Groups and Human Rights.		Key Findings/Impacts	Positive (+) Negative (-) Neutral (0)	High (H) Medium (M) Low (L)
Age		No impacts identified.
Disability		The feasibility study may identify wider changes to how deliveries are made to both businesses and residents. E.g. considering use of parcel lockers. Impacts of this on disabled groups will be considered and identified through the feasibility study and pilot project.	Negative	Medium
Gender		No impacts identified
Gender Reassignment		No impacts identified
Marriage and civil partnership		No impacts identified
Pregnancy and maternity		No impacts identified
Race		No impacts identified
Religion and belief		No impacts identified
Sexual orientation		No impacts identified
Other Socio-economic groups including :		Could other socio-economic groups be affected e.g. carers, ex-offenders, low incomes?
Carer		No impacts identified
Low income groups		The longer-term impacts of the feasibility study (depending on outcome and how actioned) and the pilot project, may lead to an increase in jobs that do not require the need for a driving licence e.g. use of e-cargo bikes for deliveries around the city. This could open up opportunities for those without a driving licence. The pilot project would ensure that those involved are paid at least minimum wage. Depending on outcomes of the feasibility study, there may be negative impacts if for example, extra costs are incurred for deliveries to enable switch to low emission transport modes.	Positive and Negative	Medium
Veterans, Armed Forces Community		No impacts identified
Other
Impact on human rights:
List any human rights impacted.

Use the following guidance to inform your responses:

Indicate:

- Where you think that the proposal could have a POSITIVE impact on any of the equality groups like promoting equality and equal opportunities or improving relations within equality groups

- Where you think that the proposal could have a NEGATIVE impact on any of the equality groups, i.e. it could disadvantage them

- Where you think that this proposal has a NEUTRAL effect on any of the equality groups listed below i.e. it has no effect currently on equality groups.

It is important to remember that a proposal may be highly relevant to one aspect of equality and not relevant to another.

High impact (The proposal or process is very equality relevant)	There is significant potential for or evidence of adverse impact The proposal is institution wide or public facing The proposal has consequences for or affects significant numbers of people The proposal has the potential to make a significant contribution to promoting equality and the exercise of human rights.
Medium impact (The proposal or process is somewhat equality relevant)	There is some evidence to suggest potential for or evidence of adverse impact The proposal is institution wide or across services, but mainly internal The proposal has consequences for or affects some people The proposal has the potential to make a contribution to promoting equality and the exercise of human rights
Low impact (The proposal or process might be equality relevant)	There is little evidence to suggest that the proposal could result in adverse impact The proposal operates in a limited way The proposal has consequences for or affects few people The proposal may have the potential to contribute to promoting equality and the exercise of human rights

Step 5 - Mitigating adverse impacts and maximising positive impacts

5.1	Based on your findings, explain ways you plan to mitigate any unlawful prohibited conduct or unwanted adverse impact. Where positive impacts have been identified, what is been done to optimise opportunities to advance equality or foster good relations?
Mitigating activities will be considered through the development of the feasibility study and the pilot project.

Step 6 – Recommendations and conclusions of the assessment

6.1	Having considered the potential or actual impacts you should be in a position to make an informed judgement on what should be done. In all cases, document your reasoning that justifies your decision. There are four main options you can take:
- No major change to the proposal – the EIA demonstrates the proposal is robust.  There is no                         potential  for unlawful discrimination or adverse impact and you have taken all opportunities to    advance equality and foster good relations, subject to continuing monitor and review.
- Adjust the proposal – the EIA identifies potential problems or missed opportunities. This involves taking steps to remove any barriers, to better advance quality or to foster good relations. - Continue with the proposal (despite the potential for adverse impact) – you should clearly set out the justifications for doing this and how you believe the decision is compatible with our obligations under the duty - Stop and remove the proposal – if there are adverse effects that are not justified and cannot be mitigated, you should consider stopping the proposal altogether. If a proposal leads to unlawful discrimination it should be removed or changed. Important: If there are any adverse impacts you cannot mitigate, please provide a compelling reason in the justification column.
Option selected		Conclusions/justification
Adjust the proposal		The EIA identifies that there is potential for some negative and positive impacts on groups through the outcomes of the feasibility study and pilot project. These will be considered and addressed through the development of both the feasibility study and the pilot project.

Step 7 – Summary of agreed actions resulting from the assessment

7.1	What action, by whom, will be undertaken as a result of the impact assessment.
Impact/issue		Action to be taken	Person responsible	Timescale
Impact of proposals on disabled groups and low income groups.		To ensure impacts are considered and addressed as part of the planned feasibility study and pilot project.	Project Manager	6-12 months

Step 8 - Monitor, review and improve

8. 1	How will the impact of your proposal be monitored and improved upon going forward?   Consider how will you identify the impact of activities on protected characteristics and other marginalised groups going forward? How will any learning and enhancements be capitalised on and embedded?
	As highlighted in 7.1, impacts will be considered through the feasibility study and pilot project. The EIA will be re-visited for both of these projects.