SCREENING
North Worcestershire Property Flood Resilience Project
Last updated 3 June 2025
The assessment
New or existing service or policy?
New
Directorate
Strategic Growth
Officer(s) responsible for:
- Service/policy/project: Richard Osborne, Principal Environmental Health Officer (Housing and Water Management)
- Completing equality impact assessment: Richard Osborne, Principal Environmental Health Officer (Housing and Water Management)
Date
3 June 2025
What is the purpose? What are the outcomes?
Delivery of externally funded grants to improve property flood resilience.
Are there any statutory requirements? Who are the main customer groups / stakeholders?
National standards for the type of work and properties being eligible. Persons who have experienced flooding.
Who is intended to benefit from this service/policy? How will they benefit?
Persons who have experienced flooding in their property. Works to improve flood resilience.
What information are you using? What does the evidence show you?
Known flooded properties.
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 |
Neutral |
|
2. Disability |
Positive Evidence: slight positive in that this funding mechanism will support people who have not been able to assist themselves to undertake works required. So persons with mental health or capacity issues are likely to achieve the improvements otherwise not open to them, supporting them to remain in their own homes. |
|
3. Gender Reassignment |
Neutral |
|
4. Marriage and Civil Partnership |
Neutral |
|
5. Pregnancy and Maternity |
Neutral |
|
6. Race |
Neutral |
|
7. Religion of belief |
Neutral |
|
8. Sex |
Neutral |
|
9. Sexual Orientation |
Neutral |
|
Other e.g. deprivation, health inequalities, urban/rural divide, community safety |
Positive: Slight positive. This is externally grant funded so no cost to the homeowner. So those who have not themselves been able to afford improvements will be assisted. |
Review
Can any differential impact be justified? (for example promoting equality of opportunity)
Not applicable
Does any adverse impact amount to unlawful discrimination?
Not applicable
What alternative actions could be taken to mitigate any adverse impact? (add these to the action plan)
Not applicable
Consultation
Detail any specific consultation on this service/policy (if there is insufficient data, further consultation will need to be undertaken and included in the action plan)
Grant delivery follows national conditions for the scope and funding. Individual households affected by flooding have been consulted with as well as community groups representing flood affected persons. There will be community engagement as well as direct engagement of known affected property owners to ensure no barriers to delivery.
Conclusion
Can the service/policy proceed?
Yes
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.
How will the service/policy be monitored and reviewed? (please give timescale)
Delivery against target number of properties. reporting to the regional flood and coastal committee.
Signed: Richard Osborne, Principal Environmental Health Officer (Housing and Water Management)
Date: 3 June 2025