Fairer Scotland Duty

The Fairer Scotland Duty, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, came into force in April 2018. The duty places a legal responsibility on particular public bodies in Scotland to pay due regard to (actively consider) how they can reduce inequalities of outcome, caused by socio-economic disadvantage, when making strategic decisions. Bodies are required to publish a written assessment showing how they have done this

About Integrated Impact Assessments

An Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) provides a framework to enable the Comhairle to comply with it’s statutory obligations taking account of equality, socioeconomic disadvantage, sustainability, child poverty, the environment, climate change and the need to promote human rights, including the rights of children and young people.

They provide an opportunity to actively consider whether a policy, strategy or plan has any wider impact beyond the intended outcome at the heart of the decision-making process, and if it impacts differentially on different groups in our community.

As a result, action may be taken to address any issues identified to remove or mitigate any negative impact where possible and practical, and exploiting any potential for positive impact.

Why Conduct Integrated Impact Assessments?

Assessing impact is an important part of the public sector’s decision making process. It is important in developing any proposal to understand how the needs of different groups in the population may differ. IIA is a mechanism which enables you to consider the needs of different groups, it enables the Comhairle to:

• Take effective action on equality
• Develop better policies and practices based on evidence
• Be more transparent and accountable
• Meet legal requirements in relation to equality, climate change, sustainability, socioeconomic disadvantage, child poverty, the environment and the need to promote human rights, including the rights of children and young people.

Completed Integrated Impact Assessments

The Comhairle is required to make available and publish all the results of its Integrated Impact Assessment. The following Assessments have been conducted:

2024

• Adult Learning Service
• ASN Transport
• Library Staffing
• Sports Development
• Sports Facilities
• Archaeology Service
• Arts Funding
• Biodiversity and Countryside Access
• Car Parking
• Draft Corporate Strategy 2024 – 2027
• Gaelic
• Pier Dues
• Streetlights
• Trading Standards
• Budget Planning 2024/25
• Community Transport
• Early Years
• Evening Bus Services, Broadbay and Westside
• Stornoway Bus Station

2023

• Children and Families Team Relocation
• E -Sgoil
• Fuel at Piers
• Funding of Arts Grants
• Gaelic Teacher Funding
• Grass Cutting
• Ice Plant
• IT Infrastructure
• Office Income
• Outreach
• Pier Dues
• Rationalisation of SWAN
• Redesign ASN
• Reduction in Budget to Third Sector
• Reduction in Early Years
• Reduction in Supply Budgets
• Secondary School Subject Choices
• Traffic Warden
• Working with Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

2022

• OH Guidance for Managers

Contact

For any queries on Equality Impact Assessments please contact equalities@cne-siar.gov.uk