An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is a detailed checklist which is completed each time a new policy or service is created, amended or reviewed. It is “a process whereby Councils test the potential of their policies and functions to impact positively or negatively on one group within the community”. Each EIA considers the impact of a policy or service on the following personal characteristics: ethnicity, sex, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and age.

EIAs are carried out to meet our organisational priorities of equality and inclusion and to ensure that a function or policy will not create any barriers which could prevent access to services or employment opportunities.

Completed Equality Impact Assessments are also published alongside the relevant reports and documents on our Committee Management Information System (CMIS).