Equality Impact Assessment - Gambling Policy Statement
Equality Impact Assessment
Summary for Publication
Name of EIA
Gambling Policy Statement
Service area
Licensing and Enforcement
Directorate
Economy and Environment
Background
The EIA assesses the adequacy of the Gambling Policy Statement to ensure that it is written in a fair and proportion manner treating all customer groups equally.
Impact on different customer groups
The assessment shows there is a positive effect on the protection of children as there is protection against harm and exploitation. A neutral impact has been identified for all other group because the objectives of the Act and therefore the policy do not identify any other groups as requiring any addition protection from harm or exploitation.
Scope of the Equality Impact Assessment
This assessment covers the Gambling Policy Statement which details the principles applied by the council to exercise their functions under the Gambling Act 2005. This includes the administration and enforcement of the Act.
Existing data sources / evidence used
The sources of data used include the Gambling Policy itself, the Gambling Act, guidance issued by the Department of Culture, media and sport.
Conclusions drawn from evidence
There is no evidence to show that the policy has a negative impact on any groups although it is acknowledged that a customer equalities base profile would strengthen and prove compliance of the service with regard to equality issues.
Consultation carried out
Consultation was carried out with the responsible authorities, trade groups, businesses and support groups e.g. Gamcare and Gamblers Anonymous. The comments from consultation related to technical suggestions and there were a number of comments relating to the protection of children that were incorporated.
Assessment of impact arising from evidence
The service has no specific negative impact on any of the equality groups, however children and vulnerable people are given priority as they are to be protected against harm and exploitation. There is a need to improve monitoring systems so that the customer equality base profile is known and we can prove that no one group is disproportionately effected by the policy. This will involve the database being modified.
Taking Action
| Issue | Action | Lead officer | Timescale | Equality LPI | Resources | Further comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alteration of database to record equalities data |
Contact database provider Lalpac. Also to lobby DCMS for the application forms to include equalities data. |
Sinéad McSherry |
August 2009 |
Establish profile of enforcement actions against equalities data. |
Financial investment and staff training. Resources may not be available within existing budget. |
Staff training is important so that the information is collated in a sensitive manner. The majority of applications received are sent through the post and the forms are available nationally from DCMS website. These forms currently do not provide for this information to be collated. |
Monitoring progress
Sinéad McSherry – Team Leader Licensing will have overall responsibility for delivery of this action. This has been included as an action in the business plan and will be monitored by Head of Environmental Enforcement Ian Saxon.
Contact officer/s
Sinéad McSherry
Signature of Service Unit Manager
Date:
Signature of Assistant Executive Director / Assistant Chief Executive
Date: