Castle Point Plan Equality Impact Assessment Scoping Report

Overview

The Castle Point Plan is for everybody who lives in, or will live in Castle Point over the next 20 years. 

It is therefore important that we ensure that it makes provision for everyone regardless of their characteristics.

The Equality Act 2010 requires the Council to ensure that all its policies, including the Castle Point Plan:

• Eliminate discrimination, harrassment and victimisation;
• Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share relevant protected characteristics and those who don't; and
• Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who don't.

The Equality Act 2010 defines protected characteristics as:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

An initial scoping report has been prepared in order to identify the types of ways that the policies and proposals in the emerging Castle Point Plan could impact on those with protected characteristics. This will provide a framework for the full Equality Impact Assessment that will take place in the autumn.

Why your views matter

We want to ensure that the Castle Point Plan responds to the needs of the whole community, including those with protected characteristics.

By responding to this consultation on the Scoping Report for the Equality Impact Assessment you can ensure that your perspective on any challenges you face as a result of any protected characteristics you possess are included within the scope of the assessment. This will help us to ensure that through the Castle Point Plan we eliminate any discrimination, improve equality of opportunity and foster strong community relations. 

What happens next

Your comments will be used to update the scope of the Equality Impact Assessment. This will then be used to assess the impacts of the Castle Point Plan in terms of eliminating discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and fostering community relations. This assessment will take place in the autumn.