APPENDIX 6 - Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Central Services
Service area	Democratic/Election services
Proposal being screened	Decision on whether to proceed with Community Governance Reviews relating to the unparished town centres in Harrogate and Scarborough
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Barry Khan : Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)
What are you proposing to do?	To consider commencing a Community Governance Review and consulting with the public
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	To consult with the public about obtaining views on whether to create town councils for the unparished areas for Harrogate and Scarborough
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	It involves consulting with the public regarding the creation of local town councils for the area.
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYCC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your Equality rep for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				No
Disability				No
Sex				No
Race				No
Sexual orientation				No
Gender reassignment				No
Religion or belief				No
Pregnancy or maternity				No
Marriage or civil partnership				No
NYCC additional characteristics
People in rural areas				No
People on a low income				No
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				No
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (e.g. disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		There are areas of deprivation that will be consulted upon and the public consultation will be undertaken in such a way as to ensure that a broad range of responses are obtained and that no groups are excluded.
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (e.g. partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		The current proposal is to commence the review and consult with the public. The potential creation of town councils will create a new level of local democracy for those unparished areas. However no pre-conceived decision has been made and a full consultation exercise will be undertaken and a further review conducted as necessary as part of the review.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	Yes (at this stage)		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The proposal is to commence a Community Governance Review to consult with the public. Any decision to create a town council will come back to the Council for a decision. There are areas of deprivation that will be consulted upon and the public consultation will be undertaken in such a way as to ensure that a broad range of responses are obtained and that no groups are excluded. Any decision to create town councils will be reviewed through an additional equality impact assessment.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Barry Khan
Date		11 July 2022