Appendix 2 - 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 and Democratic Services
Proposal being screened	Report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Member Allowances regarding the recommendations for Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances for councillors in 2024-25.
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Daniel Harry, Head of Democratic Services and Scrutiny.
What are you proposing to do?	Recommendations for the Basic Allowance and the Special Responsibility Allowances for councillors in 2024-25.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	Each year the Independent Remuneration Panel for Member Allowances reviews the roles and responsibilities of councillors, comparator data on allowances in similar local authorities and the economic climate and then makes recommendations to Council for the Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances for councillors. The desired outcome is that allowances are recommended that enable the Council to attract high quality candidates to stand as councillors, from a wide variety of backgrounds, whilst also ensuring that financial barriers to anyone who wishes to stand for election are minimised.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	In total, the proposed increases to allowances for 20224-25 are £145,514 (from £1,845,686 to £1,991,200).  This increase is in the context of savings of £714,621 made in 2023-24; and being 0.01% of the overall Council budget of £1.4 billion.
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.		No.  The proposal relates to members across all 89 divisions of the county and applies to all 90 councillors equally.
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.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	✓		Continue to full EIA:		No
Reason for decision		When setting the allowances, consideration is given as to how the allowances enable the Council to attract high quality candidates to stand as councillors, from a wide variety of backgrounds, whilst also ensuring that financial barriers to anyone who wishes to stand for election are minimised.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal & Democratic Services
Date		27 October 2023