Financial Savings 2019-20 overall proposals impact assessment
| Title | Financial Savings 2019-20 overall proposals impact assessment |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Finance and Corporate |
| Service Area | Council Wide |
| Aims and Objectives | Annually all Council Resources are asked to identify and realise savings to ensure the delivery of services in a manner consistent with best value whilst also maintaining a high standard of customer service delivery. As part of the exercise Resources must conduct equality impact assessments to ensure all financial decisions are being made based on evidence and an assurance that where possible any adverse impact is removed, mitigated or if necessary justified. The purpose of this overall assessment is to identify any possible cumulative effect on individuals or groups who share protected characteristics from the overall savings package for 2019/20. |
| Conclusion | The Council, like all other public authorities, continues to assess the services it provides to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the community it is serving in an efficient, effective and accessible way within its available budget. This could lead to changes that are likely to affect our communities. In making any changes, the Council will continue to consult fully with the community in order to minimise any adverse impact of change and to identify any actions which can mitigate negative impact. The Councils savings proposals for the year ahead are subject to consultation and individual impact assessment. There is the potential that some of the proposals could have an adverse impact on the protected characteristics of age, disability, race, sexual identify and sexual orientation. This in relation to saving COR02 proposal to increase charges (age and disability). There may be a disproportionate effect on children requiring support services at school due to savings EDR03, and EDR06 (disability) however, all possible steps will be taken to mitigate this by providing a wide range of additional support needs provision. Saving HTR08 may leave people within the protected characteristics of age, disability, race, sexual identify and sexual orientation feeling more vulnerable, however situations involving vulnerable individuals or groups are given priority. Where adverse impact is identified, steps will be taken to limit the effect on protected groups. The conclusion of this equality impact assessment is that having identified potential impacts for some parts of the community covered by equalities legislation namely older people, children and people with disabilities, or on community relations, work will continue to support and meet the needs of our communities and service users and therefore mitigating actions are outlined in individual assessments that will protect the most vulnerable in our communities. |
| Completion date | 2018 - 2019 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
| Area | Council Wide |