Crewkerne Equalities Impact Assessment - Somerset Libraries
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Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 Crewkerne Equalities Impact Assessment (Extract from Appendix 3 Libraries Service Consultation Decision 18 January 2018) Page 1 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Library Service Consultation – Equalities Impact Assessment for Crewkerne Equality Impact Assessment Form and Action Table "I shall try to explain what "due regard" means and how the courts interpret it. The courts have made it clear that having due regard is more than having a cursory glance at a document before arriving at a preconceived conclusion. Due regard requires public authorities, in formulating a policy, to give equality considerations the weight which is proportionate in the circumstances, given the potential impact of the policy on equality. It is not a question of box-ticking; it requires the equality impact to be considered rigorously and with an open mind." Baroness Thornton, March 2010 What are you completing the Impact Library Service Consultation 2018 – Assessment on (which policy, service, Crewkerne MTFP reference, cluster etc)? Version 1 Date 16/01/2017 Section 1 – Description of what is being impact assessed Following on from the agreement of a vision, strategic direction and outcomes framework for the Library Service in November 2017, the County Council plans to launch a consultation exercise on specific proposals to shape the future of Somerset Library Services. A series of proposals for the future delivery of Library Services in different areas of Somerset has been developed and these will form the basis of the proposed consultation. The consultation is anticipated to run from 29th January to 22nd April 2018. No decisions will be taken until the consultation exercise is concluded and all results are analysed. This assessment considers the potential impacts of the proposed changes we are consulting on for the delivery of Library Services in Crewkerne and the surrounding area. It focuses on impacts that are specific to people who use, or who are likely to use, Crewkerne library, and should be read in conjunction with the other assessments included within this Appendix: Appendix 3i – which considers overarching impacts that are likely to be common to all communities where changes are proposed (this assessment does not cover these general impacts). Appendix 3ii – which considers the potential impacts of the proposed changes on Library Service staff (this assessment does not cover potential impacts on staff). All of these Equalities Impact Assessments will be reviewed and revised after the consultation period, in the light of feedback received, and the revised assessments will be considered in the development of any final recommendations for change. Library Services in Crewkerne are currently delivered through a library building in Crewkerne, with a Mobile Library Service and the Home Library Service serving some customers in the surrounding area. Table 6 below shows that the majority of service users living in Crewkerne and the surrounding area use Crewkerne Library. The service is a universal one, however certain activities are targeted towards specific groups - for example, people with long term health issues, children and young people, people being Page 2 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment cared for in their own homes. The consultation proposal considered in this Equalities Impact Assessment is to provide Library Services to the community of Crewkerne and the surrounding area through either a partnership with the local community to maintain a library building in Cheddar (supported by some funding from the County Council) or an additional Mobile Library stop and some outreach Library Service delivery. If this consultation proposal is implemented, then the existing library may close and alternative Mobile Library and outreach services would be delivered (as now, service users in the area would also have access to online Library Services, or the libraries in Yeovil and Chard). We will try to mitigate this outcome through efforts to maintain a library building in Crewkerne through a community library partnership. It is important to emphasise again that this is only a potential change at this stage - no decisions will be taken until the consultation exercise is concluded and all results are analysed. Section 2A – People or communities that could be affected Crewkerne library usage levels for the financial year 2016/17 were as follows: There were 2,262 active borrowers; 60,223 visits (footfall); 245 people’s network users; 2,651 attendances at events held in the library. The library catchment has a population of 24,051. Crewkerne library is open for 29 hours a week, including Saturdays. In order to get a sense of how different groups are likely to be affected by changes to Crewkerne library, a similar comparative analysis to that set out in section 2A of Appendix 3i has been carried out, with the addition of data on Crewkerne library users and the wider population in the catchment of Crewkerne library. Further details on the methodology and datasets used are set out in Appendix 3i above. The information is set out in the tables below, with broad conclusions set out at the end of the tables. Table 1: % of active library users, Crewkerne catchment and Somerset population in certain age ranges: % of % Active % Active % of Somerset Crewkerne Age range library users library users – population as Catchment Somerset Crewkerne a whole population 0-4 5.35% 7.2% 4.5% 5.3% 5-11 16.07% 17.9% 6.9% 7.7% 12-17 4.32% 4.1% 5.9% 6.8% 18-64 44.10% 33.7% 52.9% 56.0% 65+ 28.81% 35.6% 29.8% 24.1% Unknown 1.35% 1.5% Page 3 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Table 2: % active library users, Crewkerne catchment and Somerset population by sex: % Active % of % Active % of Somerset Somerset Crewkerne Sex library users population as a library Catchment – Crewkerne whole members population Female 61.88% 65.9% 51.6% 51.20% Male 36.38% 33.3% 48.4% 48.80% Prefer not to say 1.75% 0.8% - Table 3: % of active library users, Crewkerne catchment and Somerset population by ethnicity: % Active % Active % of % of library library Crewkerne Somerset Ethnicity users users – Catchment population Somerset Crewkerne population as a whole Black & Minority ethnic 2.1% 0.9% 1.3% 2.02% groups White British 91.39% 95.3% 96.7% 94.64% White Irish, Gypsy or Irish 6.6% 3.8% 2.0% 3.34% Traveller, any other White Table 4: % of active library users registering a disability (of active library users who answered this question), and 2011 census responses on disability / long term health problems – Crewkerne catchment and Somerset population: Disability / long % Active % Active % of % of term health Disability library library Crewkerne Somerset problem status status users users - catchment population (2011 census Somerset Crewkerne population as a whole response) Long term health Disabled 5% 2.9% problem or 18.8% 19%* disabled No long term Non- health problem 95% 97.1% 81.2% 81% disabled or disability identified * People whose day-to-day activities are limited because of a long-term health problem or disability. Active library members who have declined to answer the question are excluded from Page 4 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment tables 3 and 4 (unlike in tables 1 and 2) because the proportion is high, and would skew comparisons with the Somerset population as a whole; this introduces a degree of potential inaccuracy into these data tables. At this pre-consultation stage we do not have any reliable data or meaningful information on the relative prevalence of Library Service users with the protected characteristics of Gender Reassignment, Sexual Orientation, Religion and Belief, Marriage and Civil Partnership or Pregnancy. From our experience of service delivery we feel that a relatively high proportion of people with the protected characteristic of Maternity are likely to be Library Service users, but we have no reliable data to evidence this judgement. Further potential evidence bases for these groups will be reviewed when this Equalities Impact Assessment is reviewed; at this stage we have made informed assumptions about potential impacts on these groups. The following statistically significant differences in the equalities characteristics of Crewkerne library users / library catchment residents compared to Somerset as a whole have been identified from the tables above: The proportion of library users aged under 5 is significantly higher than the proportion of people in Crewkerne library catchment in this age range. The proportion of people aged 65 or over in the catchment is higher than the proportion of this age group in Somerset as a whole. The proportion of people in the catchment identifying themselves as ‘White British’ is higher than the proportion of people in Somerset as a whole identifying themselves in this ethnic group. The proportion of library users within the catchment identifying themselves as ‘White Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller or any other White’ is higher than the proportion of the population in Somerset as a whole identifying themselves in this ethnic group. There is no statistically significant difference in the proportion of females in Crewkerne catchment compared to Somerset as a whole. The proportion of females amongst users of Crewkerne library is statistically significantly higher than the proportion of females using all Somerset libraries. There is a smaller proportion of library users with disabilities in Crewkerne than in Somerset as a whole. In common with the vast majority of library user groups, the proportion of users of Crewkerne library in the 5-11 and 65+ age ranges, and the proportion of female users, are both statistically significantly higher than the proportion of these age groups in the local catchment population as a whole. Other considerations about people who use, or are likely to use, Crewkerne library: Rural / urban mix: Crewkerne catchment serves a large rural area around Crewkerne. Analysis of library usage data indicates that the majority of users in this area use Crewkerne Library (see Table 6 below), although some use Yeovil library and other libraries surrounding the catchment (we anticipate that many will use more than one library). Usage of Crewkerne library is concentrated in the built up area of Crewkerne, but is significant in the nearby rural areas and villages and also in the larger settlement of Merriot. Although many users of Crewkerne library are likely to have the protected characteristic of Rurality, the majority of users are likely to live in more urban areas. Page 5 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Income levels: The average income deprivation decile across Lower layer Super Output areas in the Crewkerne library catchment is 7, meaning that the population of the catchment is likely to contain a slightly lower proportion of people on lower incomes than Somerset as a whole (where average income deprivation decile is 6). The catchment average is likely to mask significant variations in income levels within the catchment population; levels of income deprivation to the south of the town are higher than the Somerset and national average. Other considerations: A very wide range of community groups use library premises for their activities, and many of these groups share protected characteristics. The number and range of activities and events provided at Crewkerne library is very significant, with 2651 attendances at events held in the library. The needs assessment indicates that there is a significant risk of social isolation in the southern part of Crewkerne town. Section 2B – People who are delivering the policy or service People delivering the service that could be affected by the proposed change are considered in detail in a separate Equalities Impact Assessments in Appendix 3ii above. Section 3 – Evidence and data used for the assessment (Attach documents where appropriate) Section 2A above sets out an analysis of equalities data analysed at catchment level relating to the protected characteristics of Age, Sex, Race, Disability, Rurality and Low Income. In addition to this important dataset, further data and information on equalities issues has been gathered at this pre-consultation stage, and this is set out below in relation to Crewkerne library: Relevant evidence gathered through the informal community engagement exercise: A community engagement meeting was held with community representatives from Crewkerne on 25th September 2018. It was noted that some areas of the catchment were relatively wealthy, with a large number of people coming from other parts of the country to retire in Crewkerne, but that there were areas with higher levels of deprivation in some parts of the town, e.g. to the south, around Maiden Beech Academy school. The local representatives advised that car ownership was relatively low in Crewkerne; many older people chose to live in the town because it had all the necessary facilities within walking distances. They felt that this was an important factor that should be taken into account; it was felt that people would not generally travel to Yeovil to use the library. Further catchment level data from needs assessment: Table 5 below sets out further evidence (additional to the data already set out in section 2 above) which has been used in this assessment. This has been derived from the catchment mapping / needs assessment exercise explained in Appendix 2 to the accompanying report. All of the measures in Table 5 are expressed as deciles, with higher values indicating lower levels of need, and lower values indicating higher levels of need Table 5: selected needs assessment data, Crewkerne catchment: Page 6 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Crewkerne Somerset catchment Health decile index – average for all LSOAs 8 6 Adult Social Care interventions decile index – 5 5 average for all LSOAs Income decile index – average for all LSOAs 7 6 Employment decile index – average for all 7 6 LSOAs ‘Access to services’ deprivation (Barriers to Housing / Services decile index) – average for 5 4 all LSOAs Social isolation index (composite measure of factors likely to lead to social isolation) – 6 6 average for all LSOAs Further explanation of these measures is set out in Appendix 2 to the covering decision report. All of the measures in table 5 indicate that, on average for these measures, the level of need in Crewkerne catchment is generally either in line with, or slightly below, the Somerset average. There is likely to be a similar proportion of people with the characteristic of Disability, and a slightly lower proportion of people with the characteristic of Low Income, in the catchment compared to the proportion for Somerset as a whole. The table indicates that people in Crewkerne catchment are likely to experience similar levels of social isolation to people in Somerset as a whole, and are slightly less likely to have the characteristic of Rurality. Access to alternative locations: The information and data set out below provides information relevant to access considerations. Table 6: usage of different libraries in Crewkerne catchment: Library Borrowers PN Users WiFi Users Crewkerne 1658 267 54 Yeovil 599 135 23 Martock 281 53 7 South Petherton 257 42 7 Ilminster 229 21 6 Chard 196 61 15 Taunton 84 31 14 Mobile Library 52 0 0 Langport 29 3 0 Somerton 10 1 0 Table 6 shows that the vast majority of library users in Crewkerne catchment currently Page 7 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment use Crewkerne Library, with a significant number also using Yeovil library. Usage of other libraries (Martock, South Petherton, Ilminster and Chard) is concentrated in the outer areas of Crewkerne catchment, nearby to these libraries – from the analysis of catchments, it appears that more users are ‘pulled’ towards Crewkerne from these communities than vice versa; a factor that increases the size of Crewkerne Library catchment. Further evidence from the community engagement meeting suggests that Yeovil Library is very likely to be the alternative library building that people in the catchment might access if, as a result of implementing the consultation proposals, there ceased to be a library building in Crewkerne. This assessment will therefore consider access to Yeovil Library from the catchment. Table 7: driving times and distances to alternative libraries (from Crewkerne built up area): Library Driving time* Driving distance Yeovil 16 minutes 9 miles Chard 12 minutes 8 miles * Driving times have been calculated using Open Street Map data and routing software, and are given from the centre of the most central Output Area (OA) in the relevant built up area to the alternative libraries shown. Driving times are shown for light traffic conditions and are likely to be longer at peak times of the day. Table 8: vehicle ownership in Crewkerne catchment (compared to Somerset average): Vehicle ownership in households – average Crewkerne Somerset for all LSOAs catchment Households with no vehicles 13% 16% Households with one vehicle 42% 43% Households with 2 -4 vehicles 45% 41% Public and community transport, walking and cycling: Bus service 96 links Crewkerne with Chard and Yeovil, providing good public transport access to alternative libraries in these locations. The service has a 1 to 2 hour frequency, and takes 30 minutes to get to Yeovil and 45 minutes to get to Chard. It also serves the villages of Misterton, Haselbury Plucknett and suburban areas within Crewkerne, providing alternative access from these areas to Yeovil or Chard libraries. The adult return fare to Chard is £4.00; return to Yeovil is £4.40 (free for concessionary pass holders). The service is considered to be sustainable. Merriot is served by service 9, which provides three return journeys a day to Crewkerne (with connections possible to Yeovil and Chard) or Ilminster (with possible connections to Chard). A number of other communities in the catchment are not served by regular public transport. Community Transport is available for people who cannot access public transport easily – Crewkerne and some surrounding communities are served by the South Somerset Community Voluntary Association community transport group, providing access to Yeovil. Neither Yeovil nor Chard are within a reasonable walking or cycling distance from the Page 8 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment majority of the catchment. Section 4 – Conclusions drawn about the equalities impact (positive or negative) of the proposed change or new service/policy: Many of the overarching potential impacts noted in Appendix 3i could result from the change proposed to Library Services in Crewkerne, if the consultation proposals were implemented. The overarching impacts analysed are likely to impact to a significant extent, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk or cycle to the library. Crewkerne has reasonable access to alternative library buildings at Yeovil and Chard. However, car ownership levels are very low compared to the Somerset average in parts of Crewkerne town. For households in the catchment that do not have access to a vehicle, public transport links are relatively infrequent and journey times are relatively lengthy. This may dissuade people from accessing alternative library buildings. The cost of public transport is currently more affordable than elsewhere in Somerset, although it is not insignificant and is still likely to dissuade people do who not have a concessionary bus pass from accessing alternative libraries. People who do have access to a vehicle would incur additional fuel costs, and may incur car parking costs. Specific potential equalities impacts that do not accord with this general assessment are described in the action plan table below, alongside mitigating actions. Decision makers should have due regard to the following points in particular: The view of community representatives (expressed in the community engagement exercise) is that many older people live in Crewkerne town because it has all the necessary facilities within walking distance; and that people would not generally travel to Yeovil to use the library. There are a significant number of people aged 65 or over living in Crewkerne, and library use is high amongst this group. The library is well used by children under 5 and new parents; in particular there are well-used events and activities targeted at these groups. A greater proportion of people using Crewkerne library are female than is the case for Somerset as a whole. There are a significant number of library users who identify themselves in the ‘White Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, any other White’ ethnic group, and changes could have an impact on people with this potential characteristic. There are a large number of current users of Crewkerne library who are likely to have the characteristic of Rurality, and who are likely to find it less convenient to use alternative library buildings. Some rural users to the north of Crewkerne may have significantly more difficulty accessing alternative libraries by public transport. There are likely to be many library users in Crewkerne town, and some in Merriot to the north of Crewkerne, who are on low incomes and are likely to find it more difficult to access alternative library buildings. Usage of public access computers is significant. In addition to the general mitigations noted in the overarching assessment, the provision of Library Outreach Services activities could mitigate some of the impacts noted for Page 9 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment children, new parents and those on low incomes. Page 10 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment If you have identified any negative impacts you will need to consider how these can be mitigated to either reduce or remove them. In the table below let us know what mitigation you will take. (Please add rows where needed) Identified issue drawn from your conclusions Actions needed – Who is How will it be can you mitigate the responsible for the monitored? What is impacts? If you can actions? When will the expected how will you mitigate the action be outcome from the the impacts? completed? action? Age Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk or cycle to the library. The proportion of people aged 65 or over in the Crewkerne Ensure that the Director of Issue is better catchment population is higher than the proportion of the Somerset consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result population in this age range, and this is particularly pronounced in engages with older Community of the consultation Crewkerne town. Community representatives have highlighted that people, and explore Infrastructure exercise, and is taken many older people chose to live in Crewkerne because it has all the this issue during the Commissioning – into account in the necessary facilities within walking distances. This being the case, consultation exercise. Jan. 2018 decision making any change which led to a reduction of local Library Services or process. service levels could indirectly discriminate against people aged 65 or over. The reasonable access to alternative building-based Library If consultation Director of Library buildings are Services in Yeovil and Chard is the main mitigation for this potential proposals are Economic and maintained through impact, but (as has been noted by community representatives) the implemented, seek to Community community relatively lengthy and infrequent public transport services, low levels maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever of car ownership and other factors are likely to dissuade older building in partnership Commissioning – possible. people from accessing these alternative services. with the community. May / June 2018 Crewkerne library is well used by children under 5, and the usage of Page 11 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment activities and events targeted at this age range is significant. In Ensure that the Director of Issue is better addition to the general significance of overarching impacts on consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result children (associated with high levels of usage at Crewkerne library engages with families, Community of the consultation generally), there is potentially a further disproportionate impact on and explore this issue Infrastructure exercise, and is taken this group. For the 13% of households in the catchment that do not during the consultation Commissioning – into account in the have access to vehicles, children may be more reliant on public exercise. Jan. 2018 decision making transport to access alternative libraries at Chard or Yeovil. The cost process. of public transport is not insignificant for non-concessionary pass holders, journey times are lengthy and services are infrequent – all If consultation Director of Library buildings are of these factors are likely to prevent or dissuade parents from taking proposals are Economic and maintained through children to alternative building-based Library Services, where they implemented, seek to Community community do not have access to a car. Fuel and potential car parking costs maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever may also dissuade parents with access to vehicles. The provision of building in partnership Commissioning – possible. Library Outreach Services and Mobile Library Services could with the community. May / June 2018 mitigate this impact to an extent. If consultation Director of Outreach service proposals are Economic and delivery meets the implemented, ensure Community needs of children. Library Outreach Infrastructure Services provision is Commissioning – designed with the Sept. 2018 needs of children in mind. Disability Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne within a short distance of the current library building. Page 12 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Gender Reassignment Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library and the high catchment population. Marriage and Civil Partnership No impacts identified at this stage. Pregnancy and Maternity Crewkerne library is well used by children under 5, and the usage of Ensure that the Director of Issue is better activities and events targeted at new parents is reasonably consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result significant. In addition to the general significance of overarching engages with families, Community of the consultation impacts on people with this protected characteristic (associated with and explore this issue Infrastructure exercise, and is taken high levels of usage at Crewkerne library generally), there is during the consultation Commissioning – into account in the potentially a further disproportionate impact on this group. For the exercise. Jan. 2018 decision making 13% of households in the catchment that do not have access to process. vehicles, new parents may be more reliant on public transport to access alternative libraries at Chard or Yeovil. The cost of public If consultation Director of Library buildings are transport is not insignificant for non-concessionary pass holders, proposals are Economic and maintained through journey times are lengthy and services are infrequent – all of these implemented, seek to Community community factors are likely to prevent or dissuade parents from taking children maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever to access alternative building-based Library Services, where they do building in partnership Commissioning – possible. not have access to a car. Fuel and potential car parking costs may with the community. May / June 2018 also dissuade parents with access to vehicles. The provision of Library Outreach Services and Mobile Library Services could If consultation Director of Outreach service mitigate this impact to an extent. proposals are Economic and delivery meets the Page 13 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment implemented, ensure Community needs of children. Library Outreach Infrastructure Services provision is Commissioning – designed with the Sept. 2018 needs of children in mind. Other overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, No specific action with impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk or cycle to the library. Race (including ethnicity or national origin, colour, nationality and Gypsies and Travellers) Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk or cycle to the library. The proportion of people in Crewkerne catchment identifying No specific action themselves as ‘White British’ is statistically significantly higher than necessary. the proportion of people in Somerset as a whole identifying themselves in this ethnic group. However, the proposed change in Crewkerne is not considered to have any potential discriminatory effect on White British people because this is the majority ethnic group in the catchment. The proportion of Crewkerne library users identifying themselves as Ensure that the Director of Issue is better Page 14 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment ‘White Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, any other White’ is statistically consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result significantly higher than the proportion of people in Somerset as a engages with people Community of the consultation whole identifying themselves in this ethnic group. Library usage by whose first language is Infrastructure exercise, and is taken this group is less prevalent than library usage by people identifying not English, and Commissioning – into account in the themselves as ‘White Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, any other White’ explore this issue Jan. 2018 decision making across Somerset as a whole, however the numbers affected may during the consultation process. still be significant. The reasonable access to alternative building- exercise. based Library Services in Yeovil and Chard (particularly by car) is the main mitigation for any potential impact on this group, although If consultation Director of Library buildings are the cost of fuel and car parking is likely to dissuade some from proposals are Economic and maintained through accessing alternative Library Services. However, those whose first implemented, seek to Community community language is not English may be disadvantaged by difficulties in maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever understanding changes proposed, or difficulties in engaging in a building in partnership Commissioning – possible. consultation exercise and making their views heard. This potential with the community. May / June 2018 impact will be mitigated by contacting key equality groups that could be specifically affected, through partner organisations where If consultation Director of Mobile Library appropriate. If the consultation proposal for Crewkerne results in the proposals are Economic and provision meets the replacement of a current library building with an alternative Mobile implemented, ensure Community needs of people whose Library Service, the range of book stock in alternative language Mobile Library Infrastructure first language is not formats may not be as extensive as it is now. provision is designed Commissioning – English effectively. with the needs of those May / June 2018 whose first language is not English in mind. Religion and Belief Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk or cycle to the library. Page 15 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Sex Females may be impacted more by the changes proposed to Ensure that the Director of Issue is better Crewkerne library, because this group makes up a larger proportion consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result of users of Crewkerne library compared to Somerset libraries as a engages with females, Community of the consultation whole. The reasonable access to alternative building-based Library and explore this issue Infrastructure exercise, and is taken Services in Yeovil and Chard (particularly by car) is the main during the consultation Commissioning – into account in the mitigation for any potential impact on this group, although the cost of exercise. Jan. 2018 decision making fuel and car parking is likely to dissuade some from accessing process. alternative Library Services. However, from feedback we have received during the community engagement exercise, we believe If consultation Director of Library buildings are that women may be more reliant on public transport to access proposals are Economic and maintained through alternative building-based Library Services than men in some implemented, seek to Community community communities. The cost of public transport is not insignificant for maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever non-concessionary pass holders, journey times are lengthy and building in partnership Commissioning – possible. services are infrequent – all of these factors are likely to prevent or with the community. May / June 2018 dissuade females from accessing alternative building-based Library Services, where they do not have access to a car. The provision of Library Outreach Services and Mobile Library Services could mitigate this impact to an extent. Sexual Orientation Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to apply, with No specific action impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne than for necessary. changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of usage of the library, the high catchment population. Other (including caring responsibilities, rurality, low income, Military Status etc.) Rurality – Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely to Ensure that the Director of Issue is better apply, with impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result than for changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of engages with people in Community of the consultation Page 16 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment usage of the library and the relatively large population in the rural rural areas, and Infrastructure exercise, and is taken parts of the catchment. Whilst some rural communities in the explore this issue Commissioning – into account in the catchment would have reasonable transport links to alternative during the consultation Jan. 2018 decision making libraries in Yeovil or Chard, public transport access to building based exercise. process. Library Services would be more difficult for communities in the north of the catchment area. Driving times to access alternative library If consultation Director of Library buildings are buildings in Yeovil of Chard would not be too significant, and the proposals are Economic and maintained through cost of parking and fuel would be comparable to Crewkerne – so implemented, seek to Community community rural users who currently access Crewkerne library using their own maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever vehicle are likely to be impacted by convenience factors rather than building in Crewkerne Commissioning – possible. significant barriers to access. in partnership with the May / June 2018 community. Review Mobile Library Director of Mobile Library network in the area, Economic and Services provide an following the Community alternative service implementation of any Infrastructure where it is needed. proposals. Commissioning – Sept. / Oct. 2018 Low Income – Overarching impacts noted in Appendix 3i are likely Ensure that the Director of Issue is better to apply, with impacts probably being more significant in Crewkerne consultation effectively Economic and understood as a result than for changes proposed elsewhere, because of the high levels of engages with people Community of the consultation usage of the library, the high catchment population, and the large on low incomes, and Infrastructure exercise, and is taken number of people living in Crewkerne who are currently able to walk explore this issue Commissioning – into account in the or cycle to the library. during the consultation Jan. 2018 decision making exercise. process. Whilst levels of income and employment in the catchment as a If consultation Director of Library buildings are whole are slightly higher than the average for Somerset, levels of proposals are Economic and maintained through income in parts of Crewkerne town are lower than the County and implemented, seek to Community community national average, and there is also a pocket of employment maintain a library Infrastructure partnerships wherever Page 17 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment deprivation (in the 30% most deprived nationally for this decile) to building in partnership Commissioning – possible. the south of Crewkerne Town. Merriot to the north of Crewkerne with the community. May / June 2018 also has slightly higher levels of income and employment deprivation than the Somerset average. If the consultation proposal If consultation Director of Library Outreach was implemented and a community library solution could not be proposals are Economic and Services meet the found, the cost of public transport to Yeovil or Chard for non- implemented, ensure Community needs of those on low concessionary pass holders may prevent or dissuade those on lower Library Outreach Infrastructure incomes. incomes from accessing alternative building-based Library Services. Services provision is Commissioning – Rates of car ownership in parts of Crewkerne town are very low. designed with the Sept. 2018 The cost of fuel may also prevent or dissuade people who have needs of people with access to a vehicle but who have low incomes from accessing low incomes in mind. alternative Library Services in Yeovil or Chard. Public access computer use is significant at Crewkerne library. This suggests that the potential impact of ceasing the delivery of this service may be significant for some people. The provision of Library Outreach Services and Mobile Library Services could mitigate this impact to an extent. Section 6 - How will the assessment, consultation and outcomes be published and communicated? E.g. reflected in final strategy, published. What steps are in place to review the Impact Assessment The Equalities Impact Assessments will be published as and when they are produced to support successive scrutiny and decision reports; each will contribute towards a suite of Assessments that will provide a consistent thread from start to finish and which will demonstrate how due regard to the Council’s equality duty has been made through the process. Completed by: Jon Doyle / Oliver Woodhams Date 03/01/18 Signed off by: Michele Cusack Date 16/01/2017 Compliance sign off Date 16/01/2017 Page 18 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment To be reviewed by: (officer name) Jon Doyle Review date: Regular review at project board meetings Page 19 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 Appendix 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Page 20 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment APPENDIX 3i: Library Service Consultation – Overarching Equalities Impact Assessment Equality Impact Assessment Form and Action Table "I shall try to explain what "due regard" means and how the courts interpret it. The courts have made it clear that having due regard is more than having a cursory glance at a document before arriving at a preconceived conclusion. Due regard requires public authorities, in formulating a policy, to give equality considerations the weight which is proportionate in the circumstances, given the potential impact of the policy on equality. It is not a question of box-ticking; it requires the equality impact to be considered rigorously and with an open mind." Baroness Thornton, March 2010 What are you completing the Impact Assessment on (which policy, Library Service Consultation 2018 service, MTFP reference, cluster etc)? Version 3 Date 16/01/2017 Section 1 – Description of what is being impact assessed Following on from the agreement of a vision, strategic direction and outcomes framework for the Library Service in November 2017, the County Council plans to launch a consultation exercise on specific proposals to shape the future of Somerset Library Services. A series of proposals for the future delivery of Library Services in different areas of Somerset have been developed and these will form the basis of the proposed consultation. The consultation is anticipated to run from 29th January to 22nd April 2018. No decisions will be taken until the consultation exercise is concluded and all results are analysed. The changes proposed are set out in Appendix 1 of the report which accompanies this assessment. This assessment considers the potential impacts of the proposed changes that Somerset County Council is consulting on at this time. It focuses on overarching, general potential impacts on people who use the Library Service, and should be read in conjunction with the other assessments included within this Appendix: Appendix 3ii – which considers the potential impacts of the proposed changes on Library Service staff (this assessment does not cover potential impacts on staff). Appendix 3iii – which considers more specific potential impacts on people using the Library Service, considering each of the affected libraries in turn (this assessment does not cover potential impacts that are specific to individual libraries or individual catchments). All of these Equalities Impact Assessments will be reviewed and revised after the consultation period, in the light of feedback received, and the revised assessments will be considered in the development of any final recommendations for change. Putting the Library Service on a sustainable footing (in line with the medium term financial plan for the wider County Council) is a key reason for the recommended launch of a Page 21 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment consultation exercise. The proposals we are consulting on have been developed within the context of a forecast reduction in the net budget available to the service, set out in the table below: 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) (£'000) Estimated service 3,890 3,690 3,560 3,570 budget for the year: Somerset’s Library Service is predominantly delivered through 34 library buildings, a Mobile Library Service, an online digital service and app, and the Home Library Service. The Mobile Library Service is likely to be expanded as a result of the changes proposed, and the digital service (which includes e-book and e-audio book loans, online subscriptions to business resources and e-zines, renewals and reservations) is becoming increasingly important. The service is a universal one, however certain activities are targeted towards specific groups - for example, people with long term health conditions, children and young people, people being cared for in their own homes. The library network is currently dispersed geographically around Somerset with library buildings in all large towns, together with many in market towns and in several smaller settlements. In some areas of the County (if a community partnership solution cannot be found to maintain a local library building) the consultation proposals may result in the replacement of a current library building with an alternative Mobile Library or Library Outreach Services Service. This is the most significant potential change being assessed here. Where community library solutions are found to maintain library buildings, there could still be changes to the way Library Services are provided, and the impact of these potential changes have also been assessed. The Council has a statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient Library Service for all persons desiring to make use thereof’ under the 1964 Public Libraries & Museums Act. Section 2A – People or communities that could be affected People use the Library Service for many things. Whilst the majority of service users are library members, and use their membership cards to access lending and public access computer services, there are other groups of users who come to our libraries to browse newspapers, attend an event or activity, use a Wifi connection, look up information, work or study, socialise, and many more things besides. In 2016/17 there were: 74,486 active borrowers; 1.8 million visits across all libraries; 2,12109 items borrowed; 139,922 hours of People’s Network usage; 87,806 log-ons onto library Wifi networks. When registering for a library card, library members are asked to complete some personal details. The questions are not compulsory, and some customers decline to Page 22 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment answer certain questions. However, we are able to get a reasonable sense of the types of people or communities who could be affected by the changes described in section 1 by analysing responses to these questions. In the following tables, ‘Active Library Members’ means a Library Service user who has carried out a transaction with their library card over the previous 12 months, and who answered the relevant question when they joined the library. Where comparable (or nearly comparable), the proportion of Active Library Members belonging to a certain group has been compared to the proportion of the Somerset population belonging to that group, in order to get a sense of which groups are more likely to be library users. Somerset population figures are taken from 2011 census data. Table 1: % of active library members and Somerset population in certain age ranges: % Active % of library Somerset Age range members population as Somerset a whole 0-4 5.4% 5.3% 5-11 16.1% 7.7% 12-17 4.3% 6.8% 18-64 44.1% 56.0% 65+ 28.8% 24.1% Unknown 1.4% Table 1 indicates that children and people aged 65 or over may be more likely to be affected by changes to Library Services, because these groups are more likely to use libraries than other groups. The total number of active library members broken down in the table above is 66,372. Table 2: % of active library members and Somerset population by sex: % Active % of Somerset Sex library population as a members whole Female 61.68% 51.20% Male 36.38% 48.80% Prefer not to say 1.75% - Table 2 indicates that females may be more likely to be affected by changes to Library Services, because a higher proportion of library users are female. The total number of active library members broken down in the table above is 66,372. Page 23 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Table 3: % of active library members and Somerset population by ethnicity: % of % Active library Somerset Ethnicity members who population registered ethnicity as a whole Black & Minority ethnic groups 2.1% 2.02% White British 91.39% 94.64% White Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, 6.6% 3.34% any other White Table 3 indicates that Black & Minority Ethnic groups, and non-British white groups, may be more likely to be affected by changes to Library Services than White British people, because these groups are more likely to use libraries than White British people. The total number of active library members broken down in the table above is 48441. The ethnicity of a further 17,931 active library members is unknown because these members have either declined to answer the question or have not registered their ethnicity. Active library members who have declined to answer the question are excluded from table 3 (unlike in tables 1 and 2) because the proportion is high, and would skew comparisons with the Somerset population as a whole; this introduces a degree of potential inaccuracy into this data table. Table 4: % of active library members registering a disability (of active library users who answered this question), and 2011 census responses on disability / long term health problems: % of % Active Disability / long term health Disability Somerset library problem status (2011 census status population members response) as a whole Long term health problem or Disabled 5% 19%* disabled Non- No long term health problem or 95% 81% disabled disability identified * People whose day-to-day activities are limited because of a long-term health problem or disability. The total number of active library members broken down in the table above is 50,324. A further 16,048 active library members either declined to answer this question, or their disability status is unknown. Active library members who have declined to answer the question are excluded from table 4 (unlike in tables 1 and 2) because the proportion is high, and would skew comparisons with the Somerset population as a whole; this introduces a degree of potential inaccuracy into this data table. It is difficult to draw any conclusions from table 4 because of the datasets are not comparable. Page 24 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Information from customer satisfaction survey: Because of the nature of our universal, free at the point of use service, we have very little data on service users who are not library members. The service carried out a customer survey, open to all library users and non-library users, in June / July 2017. Over 1200 people responded to the survey, and a summary of responses to questions on certain protected characteristics is shown overleaf: Page 25 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment As with the data on active library users, responses to the recent customer satisfaction exercise would indicate that groups with certain protected characteristics (women and people aged 65 or over) are more likely to be affected by changes to Library Services. This data would also seem to suggest that a relatively higher proportion of Library Service users are disabled people, although this could be due to the higher rate of responses amongst elderly people. Other considerations about people who use the service: Rural / urban mix: To support the development of the consultation proposals set out in Appendix 1 to the Page 26 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment accompanying report, we have carried out a significant exercise mapping (anonymously) the home addresses of our active library members. The results of this exercise give an indication of the number of active library users living in more rural parts of Somerset. We have been unable to summarise this data here as it is mapped across over 1800 statistical output areas across Somerset; however, the rural / urban mix of library users is considered in the specific assessments set out in Appendix 3iii below. Income levels: We do not collate any data on the income levels for library customers, however our judgement is that those with low incomes are more likely to use the Library Service. We know from the day-to-day experiences of our frontline staff that many homeless people use Somerset libraries; people on low incomes are also more likely to utilise free-at-the- point-of-use borrowing or internet access facilities as an alternative to more expensive purchasing of reading material or computers / internet access at home. Increasingly under the new Universal Credit benefit procedures, people on income-related benefits are using the library to apply for jobs and engage in learning. Other considerations: A very wide range of community groups use library premises for their activities, and many of these groups share protected characteristics. The Library Service also runs a further wide range of activities and events across the network. Some of these activities - such as the University of the 3rd Age, ‘Knit and Natter’ and ‘Feel better with a book’ groups tend to be utilised by older people; other activities (such as homework clubs, code clubs, lego clubs) tend to be focussed on children. Other activities and services are used by other groups sharing protected characteristics – for example, baby rhyme time sessions are very frequently used by people on maternity leave; the ‘conversation café’ service which brings together English and non-English speakers to develop language skills is heavily used by ethnic minority groups; some of our specialist health collections are used by people with long term physical or mental health conditions. Library opening times mean that the service is more difficult to use for those who work, which means that the service is used more frequently by some groups (such as older people, carers and parents on maternity or paternity leave) with protected characteristics. 539 customers (as at 31st March 2017) are supported to use Library Services from their own homes/residential homes through the Home Library Service; the majority of this group are elderly and all have some sort of mobility restriction or long-term health condition. At this pre-consultation stage we do not have any reliable data or meaningful information on the relative prevalence of Library Service users with the protected characteristics of Gender Reassignment, Sexual Orientation, Religion and Belief, Marriage and Civil Partnership or Pregnancy. From our experience of service delivery we feel that a relatively high proportion of people with the protected characteristic of Maternity are likely to be Library Service users, but we have no reliable data to evidence this judgement. Further potential evidence bases for these groups will be reviewed when this Equalities Impact Assessment is reviewed; at this stage we have made informed assumptions about potential impacts on these groups. Page 27 of 55
Somerset Library Service Consultation 2018 APPENDIX 3: Equalities Impact Assessment Section 2B – People who are delivering the policy or service People delivering the service that could be affected by the proposed change are considered in detail in a separate Equalities Impact Assessments elsewhere in this Appendix – see Appendix 3ii below. Section 3 – Evidence and data used for the assessment (Attach documents where appropriate) At this pre-consultation stage we have gathered the evidence and data set out in section 2 above, as well as further data and information on equalities issues in different communities that may be affected, data from the needs assessment which relates to protected characteristics, information and data from the initial access assessment we have undertaken, and further analysis of the data set out in section 2 above at catchment and library level. This information has given the project team an indication of who is using libraries, needs and access issues in different parts of the County, and areas where certain groups sharing some protected characteristics are over or under represented (and therefore may be disproportionately impacted by the changes proposed). Four main areas of evidence and data have formed the focus of this work, and have been used in the development of consultation proposals and this assessment: 1. Evidence from an informal community engagement exercise. An engagement exercise with local communities, library friends groups and other stakeholders was carried out between September and November 2017. Information gathered from 34 community engagement meetings held around the County has been used to inform the assessment set out here, as well as the development of the proposals we are consulting on and mitigating measures proposed and considered in the action tables. This engagement exercise was most useful in developing our understanding of issues and potential impacts in communities, rather than the gathering of empirical data – however, where evidence or data relating to a protected characteristic was gathered at a particular community engagement meeting it has been included within the relevant Equalities Impact Assessment in Appendix 3iii below. 2. Further analysis of equalities data and catchment user profiles. The data set out in section 2 above has been analysed further to indicate the proportion of groups sharing the protected characteristics of age, race and disability who have registered / used particular libraries, which has given a more detailed level of evidence on some of the various characteristics of the Library Service customer base. This data is set out in summary form and considered fully in Appendix 3iii; the raw data is available on request from the author. We have also concluded a major analysis of library catchments, which has enabled the analysis of some equalities data (relating to age, race and disability) at catchment level, as well as a more focused assessment of the potential impact of changes in different areas of the County. Again, this information has been used to inform the assessment set out here, as well as the development of the proposals we are consulting on and the mitigating measures proposed and considered in the action tables. It is set out in summary form and considered fully in Appendix 3iii, and the raw data will be made available online at https://somcatchments.azurewebsites.net/ during the consultation period. Page 28 of 55
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