Impact assessment

What this EQHRIA has found

Although sustainable travel aims to promote an inclusive model of travel options for all, it's recognised that the variety of options will not always be the same across all work locations. 

For example, there are pool bikes and cars available at Renfrewshire House, Underwood Road, and Johnstone Town Hall. However, it is not feasible to provide these at every council building. 

In those instances, staff are expected to adhere to the travel hierarchy and use the next most appropriate method of travel based on what is available.

A significant aspect of the project is the use of pool cars. 

It is acknowledged that these vehicles may not be suitable for staff members with a disability. 

It is recognised that some employees, prior to sustainable travel, have always used their own car for business duties and have therefore become used to claiming mileage expenses. 

What happens next

The project team are ensuring that any staff member with a disability can access and use a suitable vehicle, and this does not act as a barrier to them accessing the scheme. 

The project team and lead service will liaise with managers relating to any concerns around claiming mileage expenses.

Although the staff travel hierarchy outlines how staff should prioritise methods of travel, it is accepted that this cannot always be applied based on individual circumstances. For example, a heavily pregnant woman would not be expected to use a pool bike. 

Pool vehicle utilisation, feedback from users, and business mileage will all be monitored to review the success of the project.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

This EQHRIA is assessing the sustainable travel project. 

The purpose of this project is to maximise sustainable transport opportunities to deliver an inclusive, affordable transport system that provides choice for all. 

The project will focus on developing a planning model that encourages a more sustainable travel culture across the council through the promotion of active and low-emission travel options, supported by a clear and reviewed hierarchy of travel.

The project will consider initiatives aimed at both travel to work (commuting) and travel between work locations (business travel). 

By addressing both commuting and business travel, the project aims to:

• reduce emissions
• promote active travel
• improve transport choice
• establish a more sustainable travel culture across the council.

What this EQHRIA has found

Overall, no negative impacts have been identified, as this project positively enhances service delivery.

Positive impacts have been identified for people living in poverty or facing socio-economic disadvantage through increased access to intensive housing support. 

Many requests for improvements focus on communal gardens, which particularly benefit specific groups. For instance, older residents and those with disabilities may find it easier to move around in well-maintained areas, while younger residents have safer outdoor spaces to play.

Disabled tenants and older adults who are unable to look after and maintain their garden will also benefit through targeted garden maintenance. 

What happens next

Specific NETT Employability Outcomes & Outputs will continue to be monitored by the Invest in Renfrewshire team.

Monitoring metrics that the initiative will report on are:

• age profile
• progress towards sustainable job outcomes
• eligible employability priority groups
• social housing clients.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

The Estate Maintenance Project focuses on optimising estate management services in Renfrewshire, specifically enhancing the grass cutting, garden maintenance and hedge trimming services for council tenants provided by our neighbourhood services.

Key initiatives include:

• Common Maintenance Programme (CMP): this programme delivers essential maintenance services, including grass cutting, hedge trimming, and weed management for 232 accommodation blocks from April to October, ensuring safe communal areas
• Garden Assistance Programme: this service offers free garden maintenance for council tenants aged 60 and over, or those under 60 with a disability that prevents them from looking after their gardens
• Void Maintenance: this initiative manages vacant council-owned properties until they are re-let or demolished, ensuring they remain tidy and safe
• HRA (Housing Revenue Account) Open Space Grass Panels: this programme provides bi-weekly grass cutting and edging for open spaces near council housing, enhancing their appearance and usability
• Neighbourhood Environmental Training Team (NETT): NETT focuses on improving local environments while providing training and employment opportunities for residents. With a flexible and responsive approach, the NETT increases capacity to address known ‘hot spots’ in neighbourhoods. As part of this project the NETT will be expanded to enhance maintenance across 4 housing areas through environmental initiatives and effectively supporting residents of Renfrewshire in their pursuit of employment through practical training.

What this EQHRIA has found

Potential impacts arising from the introduction of the policy which requires providing evidential information may affect: 

• older people
• transgender people
• individuals who are pregnant and who’s mobility is affected
• people with a disability 
• those who are socio-economically disadvantaged.

However, any applicant who does not meet the criteria or has difficulty in providing the required evidence will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by our waste services to mitigate for such potential impacts.

What happens next

Applicants who do not meet the criteria, or who may be affected by changes to the policy, will be considered on an individual basis to ensure equity and to prevent disadvantaging the groups mentioned above.

Any communications to residents about the policy change will be communicated in an accessible manner to ensure that all service users have equitable access to clear and comprehensive information. Clear guidance will be provided on the application form and the council website. Waste services will offer support to ensure that all information is available in accessible formats, promoting inclusion and equal opportunity for all applicants.

GDPR compliant data storage will be set up with specific consideration given to how data is stored for individuals with the gender reassignment protected characteristic.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Currently the eligibility for assisted waste collections applies to all residents who are unable to present or retrieve their bins due to age or a physical or medical condition and do not have an adult who can do this for them. No evidence is required, and applications are assessed by waste services.

The eligibility of assisted waste collections is being changed to those who have: 

• a physical or medical condition preventing them from presenting bins, and 
• no support from physically able persons aged 14 or over in the household.

Medical evidence or a supporting letter from a social worker, paid carer, health worker, or housing officer will now be required, or evidence of receipt of benefits related to disability/mobility.

Evidence accepted includes but is not limited to:

• hospital/GP letters detailing condition
• NHS delivery notes for support equipment and personal receipts for purchased support equipment. 

Additionally, proof of date of birth (such as a birth certificate, passport, bus pass) and proof of address (such as a utility bill, hospital/GP/dentist appointment letters) will be required.

What this EQHRIA has found

Our equalities impact assessment of the Renfrewshire Young Persons Guarantee highlights the additional challenges faced by groups of young people with protected characteristics such as disability, ethnicity, and age in relation to their progress towards, into, and within employment.

What happens next

We have and will continue to take action with the Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership to address these challenges and ensure the Young Persons Guarantee offers all young people good quality training, education, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities meeting their individual needs, regardless of their personal characteristics and circumstances.

Actions include:

• providing access to both specialist and mainstream employability support
• providing equalities training to staff
• involving young people with barriers in the design and delivery of the YPG
• doing more to monitor impact by improving access to equalities data and evidence.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) will assess the plan for how we will use our allocation of Young Persons guarantee (YPG) funding from the Scottish Government (£144k) for the period 2021 to 2023.

The key objective of this 'operational plan' is to reduce youth unemployment. 

A key priority within this is reducing inequalities of outcome for the relevant protected characteristic groups and for young people living in Renfrewshire's most deprived areas.

What this EQHRIA has found

The quantitative and qualitative data gathered shows that Our Renfrewshire will reflect the priorities and meets the needs of the diverse communities in Renfrewshire.

Our continuing public involvement and involvement with our equalities-led community groups has shown that we have considered and addressed the needs of those with protected characteristics. 

As the Community Plan covers such a wide range of priorities, further impact assessments are required to be undertaken on specific projects.

What happens next

No actions are required to remove or mitigate negative impacts, but it will be kept under review during performance monitoring, review and further public involvement. 

Opportunities to maximize positive impacts have been taken in the drafting of the plan and will continue to be taken as the key areas of activity are developed. 

The monitoring and review arrangements will take place through a number of coordinated channels, including:

• community planning community events
• community planning meetings and partner information sharing
• community planning DEAR group engagement
• through Service Improvement Plans where the equality outcomes are Council owned
• through regular review and publicly available information.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) is assessing if Renfrewshire Councils Community Plan for 2017 to 2027 has any positive or negative impacts on equality groups. 

“Our Renfrewshire” is the Community Plan for ten years (covering the period 2017 to 2027) and is also Renfrewshire’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan, as required by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 

Our Renfrewshire has been developed together and will be signed up to by key public, private and third sector organisations. 

It marks a shared responsibility to work together to get things right for people in Renfrewshire, and a commitment to addressing the inequalities that exist.

What this EQHRIA has found

These traffic management measures promote road safety which have a positive impact on older people, people with disabilities, and younger people who are more at risk from serious or fatal injury as a result of a road traffic collision.

The Blue Badge and Disabled Persons' Parking Places schemes are available to qualifying individuals who require access to parking opportunities close to their home. 

What happens next

Requests from the public or Parking Wardens for amendments or additions to the restrictions proposed in this order are being monitored. 

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) assess the introduction of a range of waiting and loading restrictions across Renfrewshire. Changes include:

• no waiting at any time restrictions at Lounsdale Road / Lounsdale Drive
• no stopping except bus restrictions on Lounsdale Road
• no waiting at any time restrictions on Albion Street
• no stopping during specified times Monday to Friday 8:30am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Greenhill Crescent.

What this EQIA has found

The introduction of charging is considered to positively impact people living with health issues.

The introduction of charging may negatively impact: 

• people living in poverty living in properties which do not have a private parking space
• disabled people who have little choice but to own a car to travel due to public transport not being accessible to them.

What happens next

To ease the impact of charging for resident parking permits, we’ll provide:

• a scale of permit charges allowing the charge for the first vehicle, regardless of engine type, to be offered at a discount to help those who need a vehicle but find transport costs difficult to afford
• advantageous permit charges to encourage electric or hybrid car use, which could have positive health impacts through a reduction in air pollution
• disabled parking bays at no cost to Blue Badge holders who do not have their own private parking space at home
• actions in the proposed Local Transport Strategy to make public transport and active travel alternatives to the car, accessible and affordable.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) reviews a proposal to:

• introduce a charge for resident only parking permits in the area surrounding Glasgow Airport and,
• for consistency and fairness, to extend those charges to the existing resident permit scheme in Paisley town centre. 

Permit charges are linked to environmental impact, in line with RenZero policies.

The scheme will reward restricted car use and the ownership of zero emission or hybrid vehicles. 

The current limitation on how many permits a household can apply for will be removed, regardless of zone, and the same fees will apply to all resident permit schemes either currently in operation or planned for future introduction across Renfrewshire.

What this EQHRIA has found

Enhanced aesthetic conditions will benefit all residents by:

• creating a greener and cleaner environment
• improving the sense of place, which promotes positive behaviours and helps prevent low-level neighbourhood nuisances and antisocial behaviour.

Overall, no negative impacts have been identified, as this project positively enhances service delivery. 

We anticipate that this project will positively impact older residents and those with disabilities as they may find it easier to move around in well-maintained areas. Younger residents will also have safer outdoor spaces to play.

What happens next 

No further actions are required to be taken as no negative impacts have been identified.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) assesses the Estate Maintenance Project, which focuses on improving estate management services in Renfrewshire.

This focuses specifically on enhancing the grass cutting, garden maintenance and hedge trimming services for council tenants provided by Neighbourhood Services.

These initiatives are linked to recommendations from the Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board and aim to: 

• address ongoing issues related to maintenance
• address and prevent neighbour disputes by creating a greener and cleaner environment for council tenants, which promotes positive behaviours and helps ease low-level neighbourhood nuisances and antisocial behaviour
• increase community satisfaction.

What this EQHRIA has found

The Local Housing Strategy aims to positively benefit Renfrewshire’s communities. This assessment has not identified any elements that would negatively impact on people sharing protected characteristics, or people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. 

The evidence gathered and data analysed indicates that the Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028 will have a positive impact or neutral impact on equality and related matters. 

Positive impacts include: 

• Age: Older People - the strategy supports delivery of purpose-built housing to meet the identified housing needs of older people. It supports provision of a range of services in partnership with other departments, agencies and organisations that support independent living and help people remain in their own homes for longer.
• Age: Young people and the Care Experienced community - the strategy recognises that the council is a Corporate Parent to young people previously looked after and accommodated by the local authority. There are measures in place to ensure that all young people are provided with support to access housing and prevent homelessness.
• People with disabilities - the strategy supports delivery of purpose-built housing across different tenures to meet housing needs of people with physical disabilities and learning disabilities.
• Sexual orientation - the strategy notes the council recognises the barriers that can be faced by members of the LGBT+ community when accessing housing services and advice.
• People living in poverty/socio-economic disadvantage - the strategy supports significant regeneration activity to deliver new warm, safe, and energy efficient homes that meet the needs of individuals and families.
• Gender - the strategy supports the delivery of a range of support measures, in partnership with other services and agencies, to address the disproportionate number of men who become homeless. This is particularly for those with complex needs arising from alcohol and substance misuse.
• Minority ethnic people – the strategy supports the delivery of actions by the council to assist refugees and asylum seekers, including families with children to settle in a safe environment. The strategy recognises the needs of Gypsy Travellers and Travelling Show People and we’ll work to meet their needs throughout the term of this Local Housing Strategy.
• Fairer Scotland Duty - the strategy aims to make a positive impact on the lives of people within Renfrewshire and its communities. Our assessment of the Local Housing Strategy recognises that it will have a positive impact on people on low incomes and material deprivation (unable to access items and activities deemed necessary for an acceptable standard of living) as a result of the development of housing in relation to local economies, through providing modern, energy efficient homes.

What happens next

As the assessment has not identified any elements that would adversely impact on people sharing protected characteristics, no changes should be made to the Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment has been carried out alongside and informed the preparation of our Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028. 

The Local Housing Strategy is a key planning document that sets out Renfrewshire's strategic vision and priorities for the delivery of housing and housing related services for the period 2023 to 2028. It covers all tenures and types of accommodation.

It also sets out the Strategic Priorities we want to achieve and the range of actions the council and its partners will take to improve this over the next 5 years, fitting both national priorities and local needs.

What this EQHRIA has found

It's anticipated that the Health and Wellbeing Hub will have a positive impact on the following protected characteristics: 

• Disability - by reducing barriers to accessing social, educational and recreational activities by creating an accessible space, which includes step-free access and accessible toilet facilities. Global definitions and perspectives on mental health will also be considered to enable the tackling of stigma and shame.
• Religion and belief - by programming groups around prayer times and making private space for prayer available at the venue upon request.
• Pregnancy and maternity - through partnerships with health care professionals and providing a maternal wellbeing group.
• Sex - by providing women’s only spaces.

What happens next

As no negative impacts were identified during the EQHRIA process, no further action is required. 

Several feedback channels will continue to be monitored for any equalities considerations and the EQHRIA will be updated where necessary.

More information

For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) relates to the Health and Wellbeing Hub. 

This will be the base for a tailored, culturally sensitive, responsive and trauma informed programme developed to support the overall wellbeing and resettlement of refugees in Renfrewshire.

The programme will include a range of opportunities through structured groups based on feedback from co-creation groups and identification of current gaps in meeting the needs of those who have resettled in Renfrewshire.

We'll deliver sustainable activities and events - including rolling, block and one-off - based on the needs of all service users. These will include: 

• maternal wellbeing groups
• peer support groups
• 1 to 1 befriending
• volunteer opportunities
• physical health activities
• human-rights and access based workshops
• art workshops.