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	Environment
Service area	Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure
Proposal being screened	Permission to apply for external grant aid funding administered by the Environment Agency to undertake the North East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme 2027-33
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Robin Siddle; Senior Project & Programme Manager (Coastal)
What are you proposing to do?	To collect and analyse coastal survey monitoring data for North East Coastline between Flamborough Head in the south to the Scottish Boarders in the north as the Regional Lead Authority.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	The overarching aim of the North East Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme is to provide the appropriate evidence on which robust and efficient Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) decisions, responses and investment can be based. To meet this aim, the following objectives have been set: • Assist in the definition of risk from coastal flooding and erosion, • Provide data to underpin re-evaluation of those risks under future change, • Provide a holistic overview of coastal defence, responding to national and local priorities • Improve understanding of coastal process behaviour. A targeted, informed, standardised, efficient and freely available data source via the North East Coastal Observatory will be available for end uses. This supports the Environment Agency (EA) and other maritime Risk Management Authorities (RMA) to plan, design and deliver coastal strategy, the coastal capital investment programme, strategic coastal management such as Shoreline Management Planning (SMPs), and incident management. It also provides the early evidence for consideration of future adaptation proposals where funding for conventional defence options isn’t available.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	The proposed phase 4 NE regional coastal monitoring programme 2027-33 will be 100% externally grant aid funded. NYC are currently delivering the phase 3 NE coastal monitoring programme (2021-27) via the in-house North East Coastal Observatory team.  There are no additional commitment of resources needed other than what is already in place for the current phase of monitoring.
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 directorate representative 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
People in rural areas				X
People on a low income				X
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				X
Are from the Armed Forces Community				X
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		No
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, 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:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The decision to apply for grant aid funding to collect coastal monitoring data such as Aerial Surveys and off shore Bathymetric surveys and analysis as part of the North East regional Coastal Monitoring Programme has no equalities impact. All data, analysis and reports collected produced by the North East Coastal Observatory will be available for download from the North East Coastal Observatory website under the Open Government Licence. Therefore access to data is inclusive to all.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Callum McKeon
Date		20/02/2026