Impact Assesments

Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs)

Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) are checks that help us understand how new policies, changes to policies, plans, future strategies or services affect different groups of people, especially those who might be disadvantaged. They ensure we make fair and inclusive decisions.

EQIAs are used to ensure that we:

• Understand the impact of our proposals, policies or decisions on different groups of people within our community or workforce.
• Help prevent or mitigate against potential negative impacts and reduce disadvantage.
• Meet our legal, moral and business requirements in terms or Equality and Human Rights.
• Be more transparent and accountable in our decision-making processes.

Equality Impact Assessments provide an opportunity to drive fairness and good practice in all that we do.

How we assess the impacts of proposals and policies

We impact assess proposed new and revised policies, our assessments cover the 9 protected characteristics, socially disadvantaged, and care experienced.

Island Impact Assessments

Orkney Islands Council has a statutory duty, in accordance with Section 7 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, to have regard to island communities in carrying out its functions. In practical terms this means:

• We must prepare an island communities impact assessment (an ICIA) in relation to a policy, strategy, or service which, in our opinion, is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities) in Orkney.
• If we don't prepare an ICIA in relation to a relevant policy, strategy, or service, we must publish an explanation of our reasons for not doing so.
• The Council must make arrangements to review any policy, strategy or service which it develops or delivers in carrying out its functions, not just new ones. It should do this either by means of an ICIA or by taking such other steps as it considers appropriate.

The Council must publish information about the steps it has taken to comply with the Section 7 duty during each reporting period.