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	Legal & Democratic Services
Proposal being screened	Decision on whether to recharge parish councils for by-elections across North Yorkshire
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)
What are you proposing to do?	Clearly set out the fees incurred by the Returning Officer for a poll, introduce recharges to parishes for by-elections from 01 April 2024.  Communicate the recharge basis with parishes across North Yorkshire in Autumn 2023 before any budget setting activity.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	To ensure a unified approach to cost recovery for parish by elections across North Yorkshire for costs incurred by the Returning Officer. To ensure that electors in parishes are fairly treated in respect of costs incurred for parish by elections in relevant areas. To ensure contribution to the Councils financial stability.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No. The impact will be on parish budgets and will vary from parish to parish.
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’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			ü
Disability			ü
Sex			ü
Race			ü
Sexual orientation			ü
Gender reassignment			ü
Religion or belief			ü
Pregnancy or maternity			ü
Marriage or civil partnership			ü
People in rural areas			ü
People on a low income			ü
Carer (unpaid family or friend)			ü
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.		No
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.		No. The impact will be a potential budgetary increase by parishes in some areas, which would be incorporated into parish precepts, and shared across all residents within a parish area.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:		ü	Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		This proposal is not likely to have any adverse impact in relation to equalities on organisations or individuals.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Barry Khan
Date		09/05/2022