Equality Impact Assessment - Building Control

Is this service new or existing?

Existing

When was it last reviewed?

The service is subject to ongoing review.

Do you have monitoring data available on the number of people who are using or impacted upon by your policy, service or project?

No, there is no monitoring data available.

If monitoring has NOT been undertaken, will this be done in future?

Yes – by sending monitoring form with satisfaction questionnaires.

What is the main purpose of the policy, service or project?

To enforce building regulations and associated legislation for the protection of public health and safety, energy conservation and disabled access.

Who are the main beneficiaries of the policy?

All people living or working in the Borough of Kingston and all people who visit the Borough.

Is the policy, service or project corporate and far-reaching?

Yes, in relation to the built environment.

In your view, does the policy assist residents in meeting their most basic needs, i.e. shelter and income?

Yes, for shelter.

Will the impact of the policy, service or project potentially be short-lived or lasting?

The impact of the service is lasting.

Does the policy, service or project deal with delivering front-line services to residents or employees?

Yes, Building Control does deliver a front line service to residents.

Are you expecting to make any changes to the policy during the next year?

No changes are expected.

Does this policy potentially have a high impact on Kingston residents, generally?

The impact of this service is limited.

How does the service impact on men and women?

The service has a neutral impact on men and women.

What type of impact does the service have on black and minority ethnic communities?

BME communities can be disadvantaged due to language and cultural barriers, particularly for first generation immigrants.

There are particular cultural and language barriers with Eastern European migrant workers.

What type of impact does the service have on people with disabilities?

Application of Part M of the Building Regulations is of benefit to disabled people because it will result in buildings which incorporate good access for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments and good colour contrast and lighting for people with visual impairments. However, for people with a visual impairment there may be a negative impact because building regulations and guidance documents are not available in alternative formats.

When builder or applicant has been hearing impaired, problems have been minimised by the use of Typetalk and writing messages backward and forward in site visits.

Will your policy impact on people’s health and well being?

Application of building regulations leads to a safe and healthy environment.

What actions can be taken to minimise negative impacts on minority groups?

Standard details could be produced in pictorial form to overcome language difficulties.

What actions can be taken to improve the positive impact?

Giving priority to access issues, and to training needs in relation to access issues.

Is there evidence that this policy promotes equality, equal opportunities, or improved relations?

Yes. Compliance with Part M and going beyond Part M – evidenced by completion certificates and site records – promotes equality for disabled people.

EQIA completed by:

Jane Young/Christina Gardner

24 May 2004

Action plan

Issue	Action required	Lead officer	Time-scale	Resource implications	Comments
Monitoring	Including monitoring form with satisfaction questionnaires	CI	2 months	Admin staff time	Discuss feasibility with admin staff. Not implemented until migration finished
Leaflets	Include page in leaflet which offers translation into one of several community languages	CI	When leaflets are revised