Object

Representation ID: 18572

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Dudley Labour Group

Agent: Councillor Qadar Zada

[EIA]

Equality Considerations


The Labour group is aware that since 2012 there has been no requirement for Councils to conduct full equality impact assessments (EIAs) when developing policy or making decisions. However, there is
an expectation that if a full EIA is not conducted, there is still evidence to show that the protected characteristics (as per the Equality Act 2010) have been properly considered.


There is no evidence of any assessment in the BCP proposals of the disproportionate adverse impact on certain groups that the proposals will have and this includes the particular impact on children and young
people and on those with mental health and well-being concerns. If a competent equality impact assessment had been carried from the beginning as it should have been, it is almost certain that the green belt
and green spaces that we oppose development of would not have been included in the draft plan.


If these equality considerations continue to be ignored then the council is leaving itself open to the risk of initiation of Judicial review proceedings
in this matter, as it is currently in breach of the Equality Act 2010.