Equality Impact Assessment - Highways Licensing and Enforcement

Is this service new or existing?

Highways licensing and enforcement is an existing service.

Is there monitoring data available on the number of people who are using or impacted upon by the policy, service or project?

There is no monitoring data available.

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

Monitoring forms can be included with applications for skip licences etc

Equality or diversity-related consultation, research, or good practice guidance available:

Kingston has a set of service standards. Reference is also made to the Highways Act.

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

The main purpose of this service area is to issue licenses for works, materials on the highway, skips, scaffoldings and hoardings etc. and ensure that health and safety standards are observed at all times.

The service also includes inspecting the highway, enforcing regulations under the Highways Act and dealing with complaints.

Who are the main beneficiaries of the policy?

The main beneficiaries of the policy are members of the public, builders and skip and hoarding companies.

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

The service is not considered to be far reaching.

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

No, the service does not assist residents in meeting their most basic needs.

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

The impact of the service is potentially a lasting one.

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

Highway licensing and enforcement is a front line service.

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

When this impact assessment was undertaken there were plans for an ‘A’ board policy.

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

This service area does potentially have a high impact on Kingston residents as it deals with obstructions on the public footway and highway.

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

The service has a neutral impact on BME communities.

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

People with physical disabilities, visual impairments and learning difficulties are particularly disadvantaged when objects are allowed on the footway. The ‘A’ board policy, adopted by Executive in April 2006, seeks to ban the use of ‘A’ boards on the footway. This ban is of particular benefit to people with physical disabilities, visual impairments and learning difficulties, for whom the presence of ‘A’ boards is particularly detrimental and also hazardous.

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

The policy has an impact on people’s health and well-being as there are health and safety implications of allowing objects onto the public highway (and footway). This impact can be minimised, for example by the requirement for lights on skips.

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

Vigilance in ensuring licences and sought and enforcement carried out in a timely manner minimises the negative impact on disabled people.

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

There is no evidence that highway licensing and enforcement promotes equality.

EQIA completed by:

Terry Donlevy/Simon Hoy

September 2005 (partially updated after ‘A’ board policy in 2006)

Issue	Action required	Lead officer	Timescale	Resource implications	Comments
Potential language barriers when completing forms or communicating with the public.	Offer translation/interpreter/tape/large print service, e.g. carry cards with suitable strap lines in different languages indicating willingness to communicate in most appropriate way.	Terry Donlevy	2-3 months	Cost of cards and translations/ interpreters
'A' boards	Path widths must be suitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility or visual impairments. Policy to be reviewed.	Terry Donlevy	Subject to committee cycle		A policy banning ‘A’ boards was approved by Executive in April 2006.