Equality impact assessment (EIA) form: evidencing paying due regard to protected characteristics

(Form updated October 2025)

Renewal of Selective Licensing – Scarborough South

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) form is a document that proves paying due regard by considering protected characteristics. EIAs that accompany reports presented to Councillors for decision-making are published with the committee papers on our website and are also available in hard copy at the relevant meetings.

Section 1: Initial Equality Impact Assessment Screening

This section documents the equality screening process of actual or potential impacts of the proposed activity on a specific protected characteristic, along with NYC's additional agreed-upon characteristics, to determine whether a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is necessary or appropriate.

Basic Details

Directorate

Community Development

Service area

Housing Strategy and Partnerships

Proposal being screened

Renewal of SL3 (Scarborough South)

Officer(s) carrying out screening

Hannah Lawty – Senior Housing Strategy Officer

Lead Officer and contact details

Hannah.lawty@northyorks.gov.uk

Date of the assessment

17/06/2026

Please describe briefly what this EIA is about.

(e.g. are you starting a new service, changing how you do something, or stopping doing something?)

Review of policy - we are building a business case to renew the Scarborough South Selective Licensing scheme for another 5 years from Spring 2027. This means landlords with private properties in the area will have to reapply for a license and properties will have to be managed accordingly.

What does the authority hope to achieve by it? (E.g. to save money, meet increased demand, do things in a better way.)

By renewing the ‘SL3’ scheme we hope to maintain momentum of the progress seen in the area in terms of being able to inspect private properties and require landlords to address category 1 and 2 hazards and other licensing issues. This impacts the whole of the area, driving up standards in property condition and management of the private rental sector, ensuring more residents live in safe and secure housing.

Further Details

1.1 How have stakeholders been involved in this policy/ decision/ proposal? (e.g. a consultation exercise)

There is a significant consultation plan to be approved – as required by Government legislation. This 12-week plan will likely include a large-scale questionnaire to tenants and landlords, community drop in events for face-to-face discussions and the renewal proposal being provided to various stakeholders for feedback – including formal bodies, key local groups and local members.

1.2 Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (e.g. partners, funding criteria, etc.). Please explain briefly

No – it will only require private landlords operating in the area to reapply for a licence and maintain the licensing conditions.

1.3 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.

Tick and indicate which protected characteristics are identified as relevant to the proposal (positive, negative, neutral or don’t know).

Protected characteristic

Impact

Comments

Positive

Negative

Neutral

Don't know

Age

Disability

Sex

Race (including GRTS)

It has been highlighted that the designation area houses a significant number of Polish and Eastern European people. Benefits are that property conditions and the way landlords manage their properties will improve or remain at their improved level as per current designation. However, it is important to note the risk that landlords decide to move away from the market, limiting supply and displacing tenants (albeit there is no evidence of this happening in significant with the current SL3 scheme).

Gender reassignment

Sexual orientation

Religion or belief

Pregnancy or maternity

Marriage or civil partnership

NYC’s additional characteristics

People in rural areas

People on a low income

The designated area houses some of Scarborough’s (and North Yorkshire’s) most economically deprived population. The same benefit and risks apply i.e. landlords moving away from the market, or landlords increasing rents to cover the cost of reapplying for a licence.

Carer (unpaid family or friend)

Are from the Armed Forces Community (including veterans)

1.4 To which Part(s) of the Public Sector Equality Duties is the Policy/decision/proposal relevant? Tick and briefly describe.

General Duties	Yes	No	Details
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation		X
Advance equality of opportunity	X		We want all residents to have access to the safe and secure homes, needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle, contribute socially and economically, and be successful.
Foster good relations between different groups		X

1.5 Decision (Please tick one option)

Decision to recommend this policy/ decision for an Equality Impact Assessment?

Yes

If the answer is “Yes”, or you indicate a negative impact on any of the characteristics mentioned in the table above, please continue to Section 2 and complete the full Equality Impact Assessment.

If the answer is “No”, please give a brief reason here.

Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)

Date

Section 2: Equality Impact Assessment

This section aims to provide a full assessment of the actual or potential impacts on specific protected characteristics, along with NYC's additional characteristics. It will also identify the proper actions to mitigate these impacts, if needed.

2.1 Evidence, Consultation and Data: What data or evidence source(s) has/ have been used to inform this assessment? Select the relevant source (s): Demographic data – Census 2021, Index of Multiple Deprivation, Police data. Service usage data – data held by Private Sector Housing Team. Consultation feedback – expected following full consultation response. National/local research and report – various. Expert opinion – responses from formal bodies. Others
2.2 Stakeholder Engagement: What engagement has been done regarding the proposal and what are the results? · Who has been consulted? Residents in the designation area / residents included in the designation extension. Landlords and managing agencies operating in the designation area and extension area. Businesses in the designation area and surrounding. Formal bodies Political bodies Local agencies · How were they consulted? Sent a copy of the proposal summary, invited to community drop ins and provided email address to make contact if preferred. Questionnaire for those in the designation extension area. What feedback was received?
2.3 What positive impact will this proposal have on the council budget, people, community, economic growth and environment, etc? Please explain briefly - Budget efficiency: running the scheme is cost neutral, with licence fees covering the administration and enforcement. And over time, improved housing conditions should lower demand on costly reactive services such as environmental health and community safety. - Better outcomes for people: raising housing standards provides residents with safer homes and reduces risks linked to damp, cold, overcrowding, and fire. Stronger landlord accountability particularly benefits vulnerable groups who are more likely to live in poor quality private rented housing. - Stronger and safer communities: better managed properties can help reduce ASB, waste issues, and neighbourhood nuisance, creating a more stable and cohesive community. - Local economic growth: Landlords are encouraged, and potentially enforced to invest in their properties, and improving housing quality makes the area more attractive for residents and investors, supporting local regeneration and economic activity. - Environmental benefits: Licensing encourages compliance with energy efficiency standards and property maintenance, helping reduce carbon emissions, fuel poverty, and environmental hazards.
2.4 Please briefly describe how will this proposal affect people with protected characteristics? Only those who are identified as relevant to the proposal in section 1. The proposal is expected to have a positive impact on all residents in the designation area (including those from Eastern European backgrounds and low‑income households who live in the area). By raising housing standards, improving landlord management, and reducing hazards such as damp, cold, and overcrowding - the scheme directly supports groups who are disproportionately exposed to unsafe or insecure housing. For residents from minority ethnic backgrounds, selective licensing helps ensure fair treatment, reduces the risk of exploitation by irresponsible landlords, and improves access to safe, well managed homes. For low income households, the scheme reduces health risks linked to poor housing and supports greater housing stability, which can improve wellbeing, employment opportunities, and community integration. There is a small risk that Eastern European residents and low income households could be disproportionately affected if landlords try to raise rents or if language barriers limit understanding of the scheme. Some tenants may also feel vulnerable to unlawful eviction or pressure if landlords are unwilling to meet licensing standards.
Protected characteristics	Negative	Don’t know	Why will it have this effect? Provide evidence from engagement, consultation and/or service user data or demographic information, etc.
Age
Disability
Sex
Race (including GRTS)		X	It is important to note the risk that landlords decide to move away from the market, limiting supply and displacing tenants (albeit there is no evidence of this happening in significant with the current SL3 scheme).
Gender reassignment
Sexual orientation
Religion or belief
Pregnancy or maternity
Marriage or civil partnership
NYC’s additional characteristics
People in rural areas
People on a low income		X	The same risk applies i.e. landlords moving away from the market, or landlords increasing rents to cover the cost of reapplying for a licence.
Carer (unpaid family or friend)
Are from the Armed Forces Community (including veterans)

2.5 Geographic impact: Please detail where the impact will be (please tick all that apply)

North Yorkshire wide

Craven

Hambleton

Harrogate

Richmondshire

Ryedale

Scarborough

The SL3 scheme is applicable only to the designated area of approximately 30 streets within central Scarborough.

Selby

If you have ticked one or more areas, will specific town(s)/ village(s) be particularly impacted? If so, please specify below.

Impacts are only relevant to the designated area and surrounding area.

2.6 Will the proposal affect anyone more because of a combination of protected characteristics? (e.g. older women or young gay men) State what you think the effect may be and why, citing evidence from Q2.1 & Q2.2, e.g. engagement, consultation and/or service user data or demographic information, etc.

People who are both on low incomes and from Eastern European backgrounds may experience a greater combined impact, as they are more likely to live in poorer quality rented housing and face language or information barriers, meaning they could be more affected by both the benefits and the potential risks of the scheme.

2.7 Mitigation and Actions: List the actions that will be taken to reduce or eliminate any negative impact identified above and how positive impacts will be enhanced. Briefly describe the action you defined.

Actions	Lead	By when
To ensure that all households in the designated (and extension) area, as well as landlords, are provided with the community drop-in details. If residents or landlords have any concerns they can speak with us directly – or can contact via the email address provided. Officers will be available at the drop-ins to explain how the licensing scheme works and guide new landlords through the process to try and reduce the likelihood of them looking to leave the market.	Hannah Lawty	Before consultation begins
We will offer to have any information translated or available in easy read should this be required to ensure maximum communication of the renewal.	Hannah Lawty	As part of the consultation process

2.8 Monitoring and Review: If the proposal is to be implemented, how will the impact be monitored? Briefly describe the monitoring arrangements/systems that will be put in place to find out how the expected outcomes have been achieved in practice.

Propose annual monitoring and review to be undertaken, which will include the following:

- Number of properties closed directly relating to the designation.

- Number of persons threatened with homelessness and/or requiring housing advice directly relating to designation.

- Number of persons affected by the above from ethnic groups.

2.9 Conclusion: Please summarise the findings of your EIA, including impacts, recommendations in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.

Renewing selective licensing in Scarborough South is assessed as having the greatest impact on low income households and Eastern European residents, largely because these groups are over represented in the PRS and more exposed to poor housing conditions. The EIA finds that the scheme is likely to have a net positive effect by improving housing standards, but it may also create short‑term financial pressures for vulnerable tenants if landlords pass on costs. Whilst the primarily scheme does not evidence that landlord have left the market, it is also important this is considered as a potential risk too. Next steps focus on strengthening engagement with affected communities and implementing the renewed scheme with targeted support.

2.10 Sign off section

This full EIA was completed by:

Name: Hannah Lawty

Job title:

Directorate: Community Development

Signature: H Lawty

Completion date: 19 June 2026

Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Andrew Rowe

Date: 25 June 2026

Once this has been signed off, please send it to webteam@northyorks.gov.uk for publication on the appropriate webpage.

Publication:

To help people find completed EIAs, we publish them in the Equality and Diversity section of the NY Council website.

Contact details

If you need further support and guidance about carrying out EIA, please contact your directorate equality representative as listed in Stage 4 on our Intranet: Paying due regard to equality using equality impact assessments

Or contact North Yorkshire Council’s equality team on email Equality@northyorks.gov.uk