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	Legal and Democratic Services
Service area	Legal and Democratic Services
Proposal being screened	Progression of devolution process to consultation
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Barry Khan
What are you proposing to do?	The proposal is to carry out a Governance Review related to the minded-to devolution deal signed on 1 August. A draft scheme has been developed and, if approved, would be consulted upon through October to December.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	This would allow the statutory process to progress towards final decisions on agreeing a devolution deal with Government. This would see significant additional investment (more than £540m) in the York and North Yorkshire area of the next 30 years, alongside powers devolved to a new Combined Authority and elected Mayor. The desired outcomes (described in more detail in the Governance Review) are that this additional investment and local decision making could better represent and address the needs of residents in YNY and support ambitions for clean economic growth, affordable houses and becoming England’s first carbon negative region.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	The programme will require significant resources, although the costs of these are included as part of the deal with Government within a large package of investment. It is not envisaged that resources will be diverted from any existing services.
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				X
Disability				X
Sex				X
Race				X
Sexual orientation				X
Gender reassignment				X
Religion or belief				X
Pregnancy or maternity				X
Marriage or civil partnership				X
NYCC additional characteristics
People in rural areas				X
People on a low income				X
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				X
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.		The proposal covers a broad scope of areas including local governance, economic development, housing and infrastructure, transport and skills. The proposals, at this stage, do not give specific details of any direct impacts. As the proposals constitute increased investment and local decision making, there is significant potential for positive impacts for communities with protected characteristics.
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 proposals will have an effect on how councils and partner organisations operate in respect of funding and decisions related to local governance, economic development, housing and infrastructure, transport and skills. There is potential for positive impacts, although as detailed proposals are made later in the programme, EIAs will be required to assess the impacts in more detail.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	X		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The proposals at this stage recommend progressing to consulting on a scheme which would lead to legislation allowing the development of a combined authority. The impacts of this have the potentially to be significantly positive for groups with protected characteristics, with additional investment and more local decision making. At this stage, no detrimental impacts have been identified. However, at this stage of the process, the specific arrangements related to individual functions or services are not yet developed which prevents the consideration of detailed implications at this point. EIAs will be required as further detail is developed, if the recommendations are approved.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Barry Khan
Date		26 August 2022