SCREENING

Wyre Forest District Council Health and Wellbeing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Last updated 15 December 2022

A signed version of this EqIA is available to download; please note it may not be accessible for users of assistive technology. If you require further help please contact us.

Equality Impact Assessment Local Enforcement Plan

The assessment

Directorate

Strategic Growth

New or existing service or policy?

New

Officer(s) responsible

A) Service, policy or project

Sally Horne, Senior Planning Policy Officer

B) Completing equality impact assessment

Sally Horne, Senior Planning Policy Officer

What is the purpose and expected outcomes?

The SPD focuses on how matters of health and wellbeing should be positively addressed through the development planning process in the district. It sets out how the applicant/developer will be expected to demonstrate their proposals reflect the principles set out in the SPD, through the use of Health Impact Assessment Screening or a full Health Impact Assessment.

Will there be any effect on other council procedures or strategies e.g. Corporate Plan or the council’s workforce?

The SPD provides more detail to policies contained within the WFDC adopted Local Plan 2016-2036, particularly policies SP.16, Health and Wellbeing and DM.18 Hot Food Takeaways. It will assist officers, particularly within Development Management, when assessing applications.

Are there any statutory requirements or implications?

Section 8 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) revised in 2021, sets out the Government’s planning policies, including a specific requirement to promote healthy communities and to draw on evidence of health and wellbeing need. The NPPF is supported by National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) which further outlines the importance of health and wellbeing in planning.

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 made public health one of local government functions. This provided an opportunity for local authorities to address the links between planning and health.

Are there any other organisations/bodies involved?

The Public Health team and the Strategic Planning team from Worcestershire County Council have been involved in the writing of the SPD.

Who are the main customer groups/stakeholders?

The document is aimed at local authority planning officers, applicants, developers, relevant organisations and the wider community involved with delivering healthier developments.

What information, statistics or evidence are you using?

Statistics from Public Health England, Forest Research and Worcestershire County Council.

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
Age Where this is referred to, it refers to a person belonging to a particular age, for example 32 year olds or range of ages, such as; 18 - 30 year olds.	Positive Evidence: The SPD promotes the design of buildings and public realms that are beneficial to people who may have additional needs due to ageing, for example due to mobility or dementia (see page 15 of the SPD).
Disability A person has a disability if s/he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.	Positive Evidence: The SPD promotes the design of buildings and public realms that are beneficial to people who may have additional needs due to ageing, for example due to mobility or dementia (see page 9,13 and 15 of the SPD).
Gender reassignment The process of transitioning from one gender to another.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Marriage and civil partnership Marriage is defined as a 'union between a man and a woman'. Same-sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of legal matters.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Pregnancy and maternity Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Race Refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour, and nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Religion and belief Religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious and philosophical beliefs including lack of belief for example, Atheism.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Sex A man or woman	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Sexual Orientation Whether a person's sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the opposite sex or to both sexes.	Positive/Negative Evidence: N/A
Other e.g. Deprivation, health inequalities, urban/rural divide, community safety	Positive/Negative Evidence: the SPD is aimed at promoting good health and wellbeing for the whole population through new developments in Wyre Forest.

Conclusion

Is a full assessment required?

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: Sally Horne, Senior Planning Policy Officer

Agreed:

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