SCREENING
Air Quality Action Plan 2025 - 2023
Last updated 6 September 2024
Contents
The assessment
New or existing service or policy?
New
Directorate
Strategic Growth
Officer(s) responsible for:
- Service/policy/project: Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth
- Completing equality impact assessment: Jennifer Moreton, Principal Health and Sustainability Officer
Date
6 September 2024
What is the purpose and expected outcomes?
The plan outlines what actions the council and some of its partners are undertaking to tackle the nitrogen dioxide levels in two air quality management areas within the district.
Will there be any affect on other Council procedures or strategies e.g. Corporate Plan or the council’s workforce?
Contribution to delivery of the Corporate Plan 2023 to 2027, which includes ‘A clean, safe and green place to live, work and visit’ as a priority.
Are there any statutory requirements or implications?
The action plan is required by Section 83A of the Environment Act 1995
Are there any other organisations/bodies involved?
Yes- some of the projects will be carried out in partnership with other organisations (e.g. Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Worcestershire County Council, NHS Acute Trust).
Who are the main customer groups/stakeholders affected?
Wyre Forest residents, businesses, and other organisations.
What information, statistics or evidence are you using?
Data collected annually on Nitrogen Dioxide levels in the AQMA.
What impact does the service/policy/project have on the following equality strands?
Protected characteristics: definitions
Prior to the Equality Act 2010, there were 3 separate public sector equality duties covering race, disability and gender. The Equality Act 2010 replaced these with a new single equality duty covering the following protected characteristics.
| Characteristic and definition | Impact and evidence |
|---|---|
|
1. Age |
Positive Evidence: Improving air quality can have a positive effect on the health of younger and older people with through reducing the impact on respiratory conditions.
|
|
2. Disability |
Positive Evidence: Improving air quality can have a positive effect on the health of older people through reducing the impact on respiratory conditions.
|
|
3. Gender Reassignment |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
4. Marriage and Civil Partnership |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
5. Pregnancy and Maternity |
Positive Evidence: Improving air quality can have a positive effect on the health of the unborn baby as air pollution is linked to having a low birth weight. |
|
6. Race |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
7. Religion of belief |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
8. Sex |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
9. Sexual Orientation |
Positive/Negative Evidence: No impact
|
|
Other e.g. deprivation, health inequalities, urban/rural divide, community safety |
Positive Deprivation as more polluted areas tend to also be areas of multiple deprivation (Kidderminster AQMA includes top 20% deprived area). Improving air quality may also improve other socio-economic issues which tend to be worse in these areas, e.g. health inequalities. |
Conclusion
Is a full assessment required?
No
Note: A full EqIA is required if the initial screening has identified the service/policy/project is going to have the potential to cause adverse impact or discriminate against different groups in the community or the Council’s workforce.
Signed: Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth
Date: 6 September 2024