Equality Impact Assessment

Summary for Publication

Name of EIA

Enterprise Strategy

Service area

Economic Development Unit

Directorate

Economy and Environment

Background

The EIA is required because the Enterprise Strategy is a new strategy. The Enterprise strategy aims to bring together a number of actions that together will Increase Enterprise in Tameside, it is a strategy designed to develop an enterprising culture in Tameside.

Increasing enterprise is one of four key areas identified by the Tameside Economic and Learning Partnership, one of the thematic partnerships of Tameside's excellent Strategic Partnership. This Enterprise strategy is a sub-strategy of the Tameside Economic Development Plan and forms the basis for the achievement of the Local Area Agreement 4th Block for Economic Development 'Increasing Enterprise'.

The Tameside Strategic Partnership vision for 'A Prosperous Society' states, 'We want everyone in Tameside to benefit from the prosperity of the local economy, with strong, sustainable businesses within Tameside providing well paid jobs to local residents.”

The strategy also has links with other policy agendas including the desire to strengthen links between education and enterprise and with social enterprise.

Impact on different customer groups

The following key issues have emerged from the research, policy context and economic analysis

• There is an enterprise deficit in Tameside that affects some groups more than others including women, disabled people, young people and some ethnic minority groups plus the 'workless' in specific geographic areas
• Services will therefore be targeted to address these client groups
• A general service will be available to all to assess their needs and a bespoke client journey will be agreed by the Council
• Monitoring of clients will be reviewed for delivery of new projects and implemented at the point of delivery (i.e. client visit/business assisted)
• Delivery may involve funding and external partners who will have specific client groups
• The Tameside Business Family is likely to be delivered through the Tame Valley Regeneration Consortium Ltd whose equal opportunities policy will be updated in line with this EIA
• Local Economic Benefit programmes that may be introduced on major construction schemes offering enterprise opportunities will be monitored for equalities

Scope of the Equality Impact Assessment

The EIA is applicable to the new Enterprise Strategy in particular - actions to be included in the Action Plan. The Enterprise Strategy developed for the Tameside Business Family under Tameside Economic Learning Partnership - also involves delivery of projects by other agencies. The EIA will apply principally to those projects directly managed by the Council but will seek to promote equalities to those partnerships.

Existing data sources / evidence used

• 2001 Population Census/Annual Population Survey
• Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
• LEGI Enterprise Research Overview : MMU Nov 05

Conclusions drawn from evidence

Subject to resources being identified more research is required in the following areas:

More research may be required amongst specific ethnic minority groups to establish precise levels of need and appropriate service development.

More research may be required should any issues arise concerning sexual identity or religion, should these be shown in future through implementation, to have any impact on service delivery.

Existing data relating to business creation - and the existing business stock - for example VAT returns, ABI data and the 'BETA' model plus local information such as the Tameside Business that considers the entire business stock - do not identify the gender or ethnicity of the business owner/manager. There is therefore no baseline data from these sources.

Consultation carried out

• Tameside LEGI Survey of Residents and Community Groups by MMU, Nov 05 - Identified differing needs between groups
• Research of communities at Market stalls (Ashton/Hyde), Jun/Jul 06
• Business Survey conducted by MMU by telephone in 2005 and followed in by Tameside MBC in 2006
• Identified make up and needs of existing businesses
• LEGI workshop - June 06 - considered improvements to service delivery
• LEGI Partner consultation : MMU , Nov 05

Assessment of impact arising from evidence

Whilst no specific negative impact has been identified as a result of the enterprise strategy some further actions have been identified. These actions focus on areas where more research may be required or monitoring systems put in place to identify potential equalities issues and assess what actions are required.

These are:

• More research may be required should any issues arise concerning sexual identity or religion, should these be shown in future through implementation, to have any impact on service delivery
• To check that Local Economic Benefit programmes deriving from major schemes consider equalities
• Existing data relating to business creation - and the existing business stock - for example VAT returns, ABI data and the 'BETA' model plus local information such as the Tameside Business that considers the entire business stock - do not identify the gender or ethnicity of the business owner/manager. There is therefore no baseline data from these sources, as a result government agencies and data holders will be approached to identify whether there are any plans in place to add this data
• Review and implement monitoring arrangements for business support/enterprise projects delivered by TMBC, and where possible influence and request information from external partners delivering service
• Review Tame Valley Regeneration Consortium equalities policy on behalf of Tameside Business Family
• Ensure marketing strategy addresses communication needs appropriately

Taking Action

Monitoring progress

The above actions will be added to the Enterprise Strategy Action Plan and monitored quarterly by the Tameside Business Family under the supervision of the Enterprise Team Leader. Phil Cowper. The Enterprise Strategy is an action on the Business Initiatives Service Unit and a sub action will include the equality actions. The EIA will be added to the Business Planning system.

Contact officer/s

Lisa Hoyland 0161 342 3544

Signature of Service Unit Manager

Date:

Signature of Assistant Executive Director / Assistant Chief Executive

Date: