Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)

Page contents

1. Equalities Impact Assessment Overview
2. Policy Overview
3. Initial Assessment of whether the project requires an EqIA
4. Update on previous EqIAs and outcomes of previous actions
5. Review of information, equality analysis and potential actions
6. List detailed data and/or community feedback that informed your EqIA
7. Prioritised Action Plan

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1. Equalities Impact Assessment Overview

Equality Impact Analysis (EqIA) (or Equality Impact Assessment) aims to make services and public policy better for all service-users and staff and supports value for money by getting council services right first time.

We use EqIAs to enable us to consider all relevant information from an Equality requirements perspective when procuring or restructuring a service or introducing a new policy or strategy. This analysis of impacts is then reflected in the relevant action plan to get the best outcomes for the Council, its staff and service-users.

EqIAs are used to analyse and assess how the Council’s work might impact differently on different groups of people. EqIAs help the Council to make good decisions for its service-users, staff and residents and provide evidence that those decision conform with the Council’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010

2. Policy Overview

Policy Overview
Overview Item	Overview detail
Title	Local Transport Plan
Team	Infrastructure Planning & Place
Directorate	Communities, Economy and Transport
Description	Local Transport Plans are statutory documents. They set out the County wide transport strategy, establishing and communicating the transport policies and priorities for the County, including objectives, policies, and plans for transport improvements. The Local Transport Plan also includes an Implementation Plan (outlining how the Local Transport Plan will be delivered). Local Transport Plans must be compliant with Department for Transport guidance. Why are we reviewing our Local Transport Plan? New Local Authority Local Transport Plan guidance is expected to be published by the Department for Transport in the future albeit there is no current definitive timescale. This updated guidance, when available, will require all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to update their Local Transport Plans and is likely to ask LTAs to demonstrate alignment and contribution to net zero carbon tailpipe and embodied emissions (through construction). The fourth East Sussex Local Transport Plan will replace the third Local Transport Plan (covering period 2011 – 2026) and will run from 2024 - 2050. The vision for the Local Transport Plan is: “An inclusive transport system that connects people and places, is decarbonised, safer, resilient, and supports our natural environment, communities and businesses to be healthy, thrive and prosper”.

3. Initial Assessment of whether the project requires an EqIA

When answering these questions, please keep in mind all legally protected equality characteristics (sex/gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, age, disability, ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity) of the people actually or potentially receiving and benefiting from the services or the policy.

In particular consider whether there are any potential equality related barriers that people may experience when getting to know about, accessing or receiving the service or the policy to be introduced or changed.

Discuss the results of your Equality assessment with the Equality Lead for your department and agree whether improvements or changes need to be made to any aspect of your Project.

Initial Assessment
Question	Response
1. Is there evidence of different needs, experiences, issues or priorities on the basis of the equality characteristics in relation to the service or policy/strategy area?	Yes
2. Are there any proposed changes in the service/policy that may affect how services are run and/or used or the ways the policy will impact different groups?	Yes
3. Are there any proposed changes in the service/policy that may affect service-users/staff/residents directly?	Yes
4. Is there potential for, or evidence that, the service/policy may adversely affect inclusiveness or harm good relations between different groups of people?	Don't know
5. Is there any potential for, or evidence that any part of the service/aspects of the policy could have a direct or indirect discriminatory effect on service-users/staff/residents?	Yes
6. Is there any stakeholder (Council staff, residents, trade unions, service-users, VCSE organisations) concerned about actual, potential, or perceived discrimination/unequal treatment in the service or the Policy on the basis of the equality characteristics set out above that may lead to taking legal action against the Council?	Don't know
7. Is there any stakeholder (Council staff, residents, trade unions, service-users, VCSE organisations) concerned about actual, potential, or perceived discrimination/unequal treatment in the service or the Policy on the basis of the equality characteristics set out above that may lead to taking legal action against the Council?	Don't know

The need for an EqIA will depend on:

How many questions you have answered “yes”, or “don’t know” to;
The likelihood of the Council facing legal action in relation to the effects of service, or the policy may have on groups sharing protected characteristics; and
The likelihood of adverse publicity and reputational damage for the Council.

If you have answered “yes” or “don't know” to any of the questions above, then the completion of an EqIA is necessary.

While the changes are all intended to be improvements for all transport system users, the scope of the LTP4 and potential for some disruption when planned changes are implemented means the risk level is medium.

4. Update on previous EqIAs and outcomes of previous actions

Previous EqIA updates
What actions did you plan last time? (List them from the previous EqIA)	What improved as a result? What outcomes have these actions achieved?	What further actions do you need to take? (add these to the Action Plan below)
Better liaison and communication with less well represented groups in the community to seek their views.	An early and thorough engagement process has taken place with the following groups: · Elected Members (Councillors) · ESCC Officers · District & Borough Councils and South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) · Transport and/or infrastructure operators/managers/groups/organisations · Business sector · Voluntary sector · Young people (Youth Cabinet, schools and SEND Ambassadors) · The wider public	Despite best efforts during the LTP initial consultation and Strategy development, there has been little or no representation from some groups, particularly younger people (aged under 25 outside of a school/educational setting) and businesses. We have been seeking input from stakeholders to see how we can improve responses to these groups. We are planning a number of increased activities with younger people and working with business representatives to increase responses.
Early discussions with specific groups where it has been identified that a scheme may have negative impacts. Exploring ways of mitigating those impacts and in neutral impact schemes, exploring whether positive impacts could be achieved.	We’ve had early discussions with schools, the youth council, internal ESCC teams, Members and key stakeholders through a combination of interactive workshops and face to face engagement sessions. The results from these workshops have been included in the development of the LTP4.	We will continue this engagement throughout the process and have expanded our reach to stakeholders through existing events. We will continue to take feedback from workshops and engagement sessions to grow the LTP4 document.
Improve engagement with identified sections of the community to better inform the transport planning service, especially minority ethnic people, religious groups, and lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGBTQ+) people.	We identified all ethnic minority, LGBTQ+ and religious groups, as far as possible, and sought input from the Equalities Team. We contacted these groups directly to enable them to engage in the process.	As the response rate was lower than we had hoped, we have engaged with the Equalities team to seek alternatives contacts for improved engagement with these groups.
Continue regular contact to discuss transport related issues with older people, young people, disability groups and the voluntary sector.	We had early engagement with these groups during the LTP development process and have had varying success with ongoing engagement with some sectors and groups.	With the update of LTP4 we have continued contact with these groups by identifying key stakeholders at an early stage and we are engaging with them through the process. Where engagement has been difficult, we are reviewing further opportunities to engage with these groups moving forward.
Continue to consider equalities issues in all areas of transport planning and provision of transport services in order to make positive impacts for identified groups as well as the wider community.	EqIA’s are required as part of all scheme development.	We are completing this EqIA as part of LTP4.
Travel information should be available in other languages where appropriate or requested.	We will provide this information if requested.	We will be seeking advice as to how we factor this as part LTP4.

5. Review of information, equality analysis and potential actions

Protected Characteristic: Applies to all characteristics

Please see specific characteristic groups for 'what do you know', 'what do people tell you' and what does this mean'.

What can you do?

Ensure broad stakeholder engagement takes place across all ages in early stages of consultation and design.
Use of language that is accessible – (plain English) easy to understand and available in different formats.
Ensure engagement is accessible to all, by early identification of groups with protected characteristics and/or additional requirements.
Ensure a variety of channels of communication are considered to reach the broadest audience possible.
Ensure that stakeholders have access to the broader picture e.g., where there is poor access to public transport, how these impacts on mental health; where poor air quality impacts on physical health. Impacts on health will be explored in the Health Impact Assessment.
Work internally and with partner organisations to understand the needs and challenges applicable to each protected characteristic group to aid engagement and discussion with them. Training and a greater understanding will strengthen relationships and ensure deliverables from collaborative working are enhanced and deliver the needs for specific user groups.
Promote partnership working, for example in the use of multi modal ticketing to ensure that cost and ease of accessing tickets and access to information about ticketing does not exclude residents.
Promote partnership working with local communities and users. Engagement and co-design can occur from scheme inception and throughout the project lifecycle to seek support and acceptability and ensure that the scheme(s) address the issues local communities and/or users face. For example, collaborative scheme development for School Streets.
Provide access to travel behaviour change initiatives, training and education to enable and encourage more people to travel actively and to increase confidence in using public transport. This applies to both transport operators/providers and transport users and cover topics such as needs of users and policies on anti-social behaviour. For example, we can work with schools and businesses to ensure sustainable travel options are available to/from their campus/premises.

Protected Characteristic: Age

What do you know?

The total population of East Sussex is 545,852 (2021 Census). With an age breakdown as follows:

16.6% of the population are “aged 0-15”.
57.4% of the population are “Aged 16-6”.
26.1% of the population are “Aged over 65”.
Rother has a higher proportion of people aged “65+” (32.4%), with a lower proportion of people aged under 65, particularly those “aged 16-64” (52.8%).
Hastings has a larger proportion of younger people (aged 0-15) at 17.9% and those aged 16-64 (61.9%) and as a result had a lower proportion of people aged “65+”.

Looking to population projections, between 2020 and 2035:

The population of the county is anticipated to grow by 68,800 people (+12%).
The majority of this growth is in the over 65 years group.
Those aged over 85 will increase by 16,800 people (+76%).
The number of you people (aged under 18) will remain relatively flat at a county level (+1,300 (+1%).
The number of young people decline in our urban boroughs (-2,100 (11%) in Eastbourne and – 1,500 (-8%) in Hastings).
The largest growth in young people will occur in Wealden (+4,200 (+14%)).

Sources: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

Engagement sessions took place in Stage 1 of the LTP4 development to identify constraints, barriers and opportunities to transport. This took place with primary and secondary schools, the Youth Cabinet and SEND Ambassadors.

Young People told us:

Need for improved public transport to school from rural areas.
Safety improvements required for those walking and cycling to school where it adjoins the road.

Sustrans have identified that it is important to get transport right for young people. They identify how it is important to support young people with their personal and professional development by providing accessibility and connectivity to destinations they need to reach, thereby also promoting social inclusion for this age group.

A Sustrans and CI FE research study revealed that older people aged 50-70 “do not all have the same capabilities, opportunities and motivations”. It also identified that there is a difference in the needs of working people and retired people in this age group. The report also identified that car-centric behaviours are often formed when individuals are young.

An ILC-UK and Age UK study revealed that:

68% of households with someone aged 70+ have their own car.
Older people, often with poor health, struggle to travel to health services (GPs, hospitals etc.).
Older people don’t use public transport as it doesn’t operate when they want it to and it doesn’t go where they want.
Encouraging older people to walk or cycle can have health benefits and reduce isolation.
Older people living in rural areas use public transport less than those in urban areas.

A study by NatCen Social Research notes that research by UCL Institute identifies that young people not in education, employment or training are at risk of transport poverty.

What does this mean?

A higher-than-average ageing local population - Need to consider mobility issues around access to public transport including bus stops, seating and shelters - particularly for those living in rural areas.
Other issues to consider for older people – social isolation, need to access services, and difficulty in understanding and navigating various transport journeys.
We need to identify where there is poor public transport, walking and cycling connections between where people live and where they need / want to get to in rural settings.
Young people are less likely to have a car and may make different journeys from adults and older people.
People with respiratory illnesses and those more susceptible to poor air quality (particularly younger and older people).
Ageing population projections, when combined with disability projections (also see disability protected characteristic) will put an emphasis on providing transport opportunities for older people. People who are older and disabled may have challenges accessing some modes of transport. Therefore, they may have difficulty in accessing health or social care locations.

What can you do?

Please, also see entry in ‘all characteristics’ groups.

Targeted engagement with people in and approaching the older population age group(s) to understand their needs now and in the future; enabling interventions to be delivered at the appropriate time (asap or in the medium-term onwards). We will also work with ESCC colleagues in appropriate service areas to get feedback on older people’s needs and how these have and are likely to change into the future.
To address poor and missing infrastructure and bus services we will work with representatives of these groups to discuss their challenges and opportunities. We will then work with colleagues as appropriate to identify interventions and develop these in a collaborative process with user groups and local communities.
Explore options to set up groups with young people to understand their travel needs and identify opportunities to support their ability to access their education, training, employment and leisure locations.
Regarding air quality - ensure that there is a focus on areas where young people and older people gather (e.g., school communities).
Work closely with older people and health and social care providers to understand the needs of these age groups, and work with partners to deliver interventions and journey opportunities that enables these people to access the services and locations to maximise social inclusion. For example, improved bus services and frequency to support older people accessing clubs and groups to help reduce social isolation, and to support health and social care providers reach their clients using sustainable modes at times convenient to both parties.

Protected Characteristic: Disability

What do you know?

110,553 people in East Sussex identify as disabled under the Equality Act 2021.
Wealden has the highest number of people identifying as disabled (27,629), compared to the other districts and boroughs (each with between 20,138 and 21,919 people).

Looking to population disability projections, between 2020 and 2035:

The number of people with a disability will increase by 25,800 (+27%).
People aged 65+ make up the majority of this increase (+25,300).

Sources: East Sussex in Figures.

What do people tell you?

Making sure that multi modal journeys are easy to manage and accessible.

A report by Motability (transport accessibility gap report) notes that people with disabilities take 38% fewer trips than people without, and that public and private transport provision plays a large role in this difference. People with disabilities who have had negative experiences (including attitudes of other passengers) and are unable to access appropriate information are discouraged from making trips by public transport. The report also estimates that if the accessibility gap was closed for disabled people, the economic benefit would be worth £72 billion.

What does this mean?

Need to consider disability proactively and automatically in all design – for example dropped kerbs and textured paving, seating at regular intervals in town centres.
Access to public transport – step free access at stations; consideration of kerb height at bus stops; signage and availability of information both for planning journeys and notice of disruption to a journey.
Access to public transport, key services and facilities.

What can you do?

Ensure every scheme design and delivery is inclusive and proactively considers the needs of all users. This can be achieved through collaborative design and targeted engagement of appropriate stakeholders at all stages of the project lifecycle. Particular assessments such as Healthy Streets and Access Audits (especially in busy town or local centres) can be undertaken as part of the development of schemes.
Ensure scheme design and delivery is inclusive and considers the needs of all users. This can be achieved through collaborative design and targeted engagement of appropriate stakeholders.
We can work in partnership with operators to advertise advanced warning of disruption to users. For example, where services are unable to call at a bus stop or railway station information is provided on alternative stop or stations and travel routes to enable passengers with a disability to complete their journey.
We can also work with stakeholders to understand their issues and join with partners to maximise accessibility and connectivity for people with a disability.
Provide access to employment, training, education and key services. Where possible, and appropriate, encourage more people to travel actively, and increase confidence in using public transport. For example, we can work with transport operators to enhance or provide bus services - where appropriate - and work with cycle training providers to deliver cycle training courses to give people the confidence to travel actively. Southern Railway already offer ‘try a train’ events to support existing and potential passengers by increasing confidence in using the rail network.
Other: Motability. Improved evidence gathering needed, particularly in relation to new/emerging technologies.

Protected Characteristic: Gender Reassignment

What do you know?

Across East Sussex 0.4% of people aged 16 and over have a “gender identity different to their sex registered at birth”.
Rother and Wealden have a lower proportion of people who have a “gender identity different to their sex registered at birth (0.3% and 0.2% respectively).

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

No information at this stage.

What does this mean?

Sense of safety and security.

What can you do?

Ensure scheme designs we deliver are inclusive, safe and secure (perceived and actual) to encourage and enable all users to use the intervention. We can work collaboratively with users throughout the scheme development to maximise the opportunities for users and to address any concerns they may have.
Such changes can ensure that actual and perceived safety can be improved/achieved through good lighting levels and alternative routes as and when appropriate to discourage anti-social behaviour.
Work with transport operators to ensure staff are trained around the concerns of this user group.

Protected Characteristic: Pregnancy and maternity

What do you know?

In 2020 there were 15.7 births per 1,000 females across the county.
Hastings had the highest number of births per 1,000 females (19.6), whilst Rother had the lowest (13.2%).
In 2020 there were 4,513 live births across the county.
Wealden has the highest number of live births (1,231), whilst Rother had the lowest (663).

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

Making sure that multi modal journeys are easy to manage and accessible.

What does this mean?

Safety and security.
Access to public transport (when using buggy, pram etc) for all trip purposes and to access all destinations (including childcare and healthcare). Challenges exist where there is only a footbridge to access railway platforms, narrow and poorly lit footpaths to public transport, step free access at stations, bus stops and transport interchanges and consideration of kerb height at bus stops.

What can you do?

Ensure scheme design and delivery is inclusive and safe and secure (perceived and actual) to encourage and enable all users to travel as they want to.
Such design changes can include ensuring that actual and perceived safety concerns can be improved/achieved through good lighting levels and alternative routes, as and when appropriate, to discourage anti-social behaviour and provide an environment that pregnant women and people with young children feel safe using.
Work with strategic partners to identify where accessibility improvements need to be made and to work in partnership to resolve these (e.g. level access at railway stations through partnership working with station operators).

Protected Characteristic: Race/ethnicity

What do you know?

88.3% of people in East Sussex identify as “White British & Northern Irish”.
The proportion of people identify as “White British & Northern Irish” in Eastbourne and Hastings is lower (82.1% and 85.1% respectively), where there is a higher proportion of people identifying as “Other White”, “Indian”, “Other Asian”, “African”, “Arab” or “Any other ethnic group”.
The proportion of people who identify as “White British & Northern Irish” in Rother and Wealden is higher than the proportion for East Sussex (91.7% and 91.8% respectively).

People who identify as “Mixed”, “Asian or Asian British”, “Black or Black British” and “Other ethnic group” tend to be of working age or younger (aged under 65); 4-8% of residents in these groups are aged 65 or over. A trend that is replicated both across the South East region and nationally.

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

A study by NatCen Social Research identified that people who identify as “Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) households have the highest rates of poverty”, and if considering age older people who identify as one the above groups are more likely to have a higher rate of poverty and be at risk of transport poverty.

The NatCen Social Research Report also notes that people who identify as “Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups”, “Asian / Asian British”, “Black / African / Caribbean / Black British” and “Other ethnic group” take fewer trips (by up to ~20%) than people who identified as “White”.

The Department for Transport identify that older minority ethnic people may not have English as a first language.

What does this mean?

Users may not understand proposals.
Safety and security.
Education and awareness of transport modes (training, maintenance, safety) – including to access education, employment and social opportunities.

What can you do?

For speakers of English as an additional language we will use language that is accessible and easy to understand. In addition for people who do not speak or understand English, we will offer to provide information in their language as per ESCC policy.
We can work with community groups and individuals as required to understand any safety (both perceived and actual) concerns that they have to inform policy or scheme delivery as appropriate, to create an environment that they feel safe using.
Provide access to training and education to Council staff and encourage partner organisations to undertake appropriate training. Completing the training will provide a greater understanding of the challenges for this group and to support and encourage them to travel actively and to increase confidence in using public transport.
Promote partnership working in the use of multi modal ticketing to ensure that cost and ease of accessing tickets and access to information about ticketing is available in formats that this user group can understand.

Protected Characteristic: Religion or belief

What do you know?

Across East Sussex 45.9% of people identify as “Christian” (45.9%).
7% of East Sussex population identity as having “no religion”.
Hastings and Lewes have a lower percentage of people identifying as “Christian”, with more people identifying as having “no religion”. Conversely Rother and Wealden have a higher proportion of people identifying as “Christian” and lower proportion of people who responded “no religion”.
The proportion of people who live in Eastbourne and identify as “Muslim” is double the total for East Sussex (2.2% and 1.1% respectively).
Hastings also has a higher proportion of people who identify as “Muslim” (1.9%).

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

The Department for Transport identifies that safety and perceptions of safety are important for groups when using public transport, including people from particular religious or faith communities. The biggest issues relate to hate crimes.

What does this mean?

Safety and security.
Education and awareness of transport modes (training, maintenance, safety) – including to access education, employment and social opportunities.

What can you do?

Provide access to training and education (for users and/or public transport employees) to enable and encourage more people to travel actively and to increase confidence in using public transport.
Understanding the sensitivities to religion or beliefs in the development of documentation and scheme locations. For example, understanding that there may be an increase in the number of people who follow a particular religion or belief travelling to specific locations at certain times (e.g. to church or mosque).
Work with community religion and belief groups, as needed, to provide additional information on their beliefs to others (e.g. scheme designers and other users) to help them understand their needs and requirements.

Protected Characteristic: Sex

What do you know?

Across East Sussex 52% of the population identify as “female” and 48% as “male”.

Presented by district the results are (female / male):

Eastbourne = 52.3% / 47.7%.
Hastings = 51.5% / 48.5%.
Lewes = 51.8% / 48.2%.
Rother = 52.5% 47.5%.
Wealden = 51.8% / 48.2%.

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

An ILC-UK and Age UK study revealed that "Women, those with lower incomes, and those without a car were less likely to state that public transport was inconvenient – perhaps because they have no choice.”

A study by NatCen Social Research reported research (UK Women’s Budget Group) that notes women are more impacted by cuts to services than men, due to the fact they make more trips and that “a lack of public transport creates barriers to women accessing employment and educational opportunities…”.

What does this mean?

Safety and security – provide an environment or services that women feel confident in using.
Women are often more reliant on a public transport network that connects them to the places they need to go (including employment and education).

What can you do?

Work with public transport providers to identify the issues actual and perceived that create a barrier to women using public transport To train staff on concerns around sex and gender to create an inclusive environment for all passengers to ensure safety and security on services. Education and training for active travel (especially girls and women only - Cycling sessions) to encourage and enable more women to travel sustainably.
Council officers can work with public transport users and operators to understand where and when people want to access destinations and try to provide, where possible, commercial public transport network that facilitates these movements.

Protected Characteristic: Sexual orientation

What do you know?

3% of people aged over 16 in East Sussex identify as LGB+ (“gay or lesbian”, “bisexual” or “other sexual orientation”).
The proportion of people identifying as LGB+ was higher in Eastbourne (3.9%), Hastings (4.6%) and Lewes (4.0%).

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

A report by Mott Macdonald for the Department for Transport identifies that safety and security (both perceived and actual) “is a key issue for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people”. The report also notes that a 2018 National LGBT survey where “cisgender LGB survey respondents reported avoiding being open about their sexual orientation”.

The report notes that “Improvements in all aspects of transport safety, including transport infrastructure that ensures journeys can be undertaken in a safe, reliable and efficient manner, would improve feelings of personal safety and present a beneficial opportunity to all vulnerable groups when travelling, including LGB people”. Another risk/concern is the absence of staff on public transport and at stations can “foster feelings of unsafety amongst LGB people”.

What does this mean?

Safety and security

What can you do?

Work with public transport providers to train staff on the concerns around sexual orientation and safety to create an inclusive environment for all passengers to ensure safety and security on services.

Protected Characteristic: Marriage and civil partnership

What do you know?

Across East Sussex 31.9% of people are single. The proportion of single people is highest in Eastbourne (35.8%) and Hastings (36.9%), and lowest in Rother (28.1%) and Wealden (27.7%).
The percentage of people who are “widowed or the surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership” is 7.7% in East Sussex. This figure is highest for Rother (9.2%) and lowest in Hastings (6.3%).

Source: East Sussex in Figures

What do people tell you?

No information at this stage.

What does this mean?

No disproportionate impacts identified.

What can you do?

No additional actions identified, will be kept under review.

Protected Characteristic: Impacts on community cohesion

What do you know?

We know that changes to transport networks and infrastructure can be a topic that causes concerns among users and local residents.

What do people tell you?

Need to give communities greater input and responsibility from project inception through to the various design stages including consultation.

A study by NatCen Social Research noted that a study by Curl et al. (2018) identified that “Transport and Regeneration policy need to work in tandem to ensure that the car is not a necessary route out of deprivation but, rather, that transport and land use planning support accessibility to jobs and services.

What does this mean?

Communities will take ownership of local schemes. They will be able to input into the process and provide invaluable local knowledge. Early engagement, including potentially taking a co-design approach, will minimise objections to the scheme and create a better rapport between communities and the council, and strengthen community cohesion.

What can you do?

Provision of community transport that is designed and delivered collaboratively, thereby supporting communities to take ownership of initiatives which increase access to key services and facilities e.g. for the elderly who live in a rural location but do not have access to public transport or a vehicle.
Collaborative working and co-design should start at the inception/feasibility stage of the project to maximise the opportunities to work with the community and users to understand their concerns and what they support and what mitigations can be achieved about their concerns to garner support.
Promote partnership working in the use of multi modal ticketing to ensure that cost and ease of accessing tickets and access to information about ticketing does not exclude residents and can support people access work in an affordable way. E.g. the Governments £2 single fares and ESCC BSIP support for cheaper fares have increased bus patronage.
When scheme developments are being designed or delivered, we will be clear as to why it is occurring in that location and monies are not being spent in another location (as funding is often tied to specific criteria). Where communities feel they are not receiving any investment we will work with them to try to identify schemes and funding opportunities.

Additional Characteristic: Rurality

What do you know?

East Sussex is classified as “Urban with significant Rural” in the six-fold classification. The districts and boroughs are:

Eastbourne = “Urban with City and Town”.
Hastings = “Urban with City and Town”.
Lewes = “Urban with significant rural”.
Rother = “Largely rural”.
Wealden = “Mainly rural”.

Source: 2011 Rural Urban Classification

What do people tell you?

Public transport bus service cuts and limited rail stopping services in rural areas increases social exclusion.

Inadequate walking and cycling infrastructure connecting people to places and public transport services.

A study by NatCen Social Research identifies that residents in rural communities are “frequently reported as being at risk of transport disadvantage and associated social exclusion”. Also that “rural and small urban communities experience transport disadvantage due to a lack of transit and a low density of employment, education, recreation and other opportunities”.

What does this mean?

We need to identify where there is poor public transport, walking and cycling connections between where people live and where they need / want to get to in rural settings and between rural areas and market towns or urban centres.

What can you do?

Work with local communities to understand the challenges of rurality specific to them (not all communities will have the same challenges).
We can look to improve public transport in rural areas, and promote community transport, particularly to connect residents to services that are no longer available locally (e.g. banking, health care etc.). Flexibus operates in rural areas across the county, connecting people to the wider more frequent public transport network and key destinations.
Improvements have been made to longer distance urban/rural bus services in the county under the BSIP which have extended existing routes and/or increased the daytime frequency as well as introduce new/enhance evening and weekend services into the rural parts of the county. These need to be continue beyond the current funding.
D) We can use our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan to connect rural communities to larger communities and provide active travel routes to key services and destinations.
Promote partnership working in the use of multi modal ticketing to ensure that cost and ease of accessing tickets and access to information about ticketing does not exclude residents.
Lobby for governmental guidance and work with regional and national government (e.g. lobby for guidance for active travel in rural areas.

Additional Characteristic: Carers

What do you know?

59,409 people in East Sussex provide unpaid care.
Wealden has the highest number of people providing unpaid care (16,687)
The other districts have between 9,442 and 11,501 people providing unpaid care.

Source: East Sussex in Figures.

What do people tell you?

No information at this stage.

What does this mean?

Many unpaid carers are reliant on active travel and public transport networks to travel between places, which can include between their own home/place or work and the residence of the care receiver.
Carers and their care receiver may need to use active travel or public transport to access health care appointments, in addition to other key destinations such as the shops.

What can you do?

Work with carers to understand their transport needs and work with Council officers and partners to deliver connections and services that support carers (both those who employed in the sector and those who are unpaid).

Interventions could include public transport services running more frequently, and later into the evening throughout the week – reflective of the current BSIP funded investment in bus services in the county. Connecting paid carers between clients and unpaid carers between home/work/shops and their care receiver, particularly where they do not live close to each other.

We could also work with partners to improve access to bus stops and railway stations for care receivers, this can include level or step-free access, which will improve their accessibility to their social networks and access healthcare and other services, with the support of a care giver.

Work with other organisations to provide training and support in helping carers and care receivers on a first journey to give them confidence to use the transport network in the future

Assessment of overall impacts and any further recommendations

Overarching impacts and actions have been identified at the start of this Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) and other actions relating to specific characteristics should be read in addition to these over-arching activities.

During the consultation period we wish to work with people sharing protected characteristics, related groups and representatives to ensure this EqIA is comprehensive, to include updates about what we know, what people tell us, what it means and what actions we and our partners can look to deliver. The EqIA will be reviewed and updated after the consultation and regularly during the life of the Local Transport Plan (LTP). Feedback can be provided through the survey or by email the LTP at LocalTransportPlan@eastsussex.gov.uk

6. List detailed data and/or community feedback that informed your EqIA

Data and/or feedback
Source and type of data	Gapes in data	Actions to fill these gaps: who else do you need to engage with
Direct engagement with education establishments and young people (2 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and a college).	Limited to the geographical areas/catchments of the schools and students who participated.	We would like to follow up engagement with the schools to seek further input into the process. Also identify opportunities to engage with students from other geographical areas/catchments.
Young people (SEND Ambassadors).	Limited to young people who opt to attend, and those who were able to be present at the meeting	On-going engagement with SEND Ambassadors, asking them to discuss with their peer group and encourage responses to future public engagement.
Public consultation to gauge views on transport in East Sussex, including targeted consultation to key groups of all protected characteristics.	Some of the targeted groups did not respond or had a low response rate to the consultation.	Further work has been undertaken to identify how we can best engage with these groups who are ‘seldom heard’. At presentations we have sought input from external partners on how we could better engage with targeted groups that have not responded to the initial consultation. To apply this feedback to future consultations, and on-going monitoring of about you information during the consultation to enable targeted engagement as appropriate.
Directly contact protected characteristic groups asking whether they would like us to arrange face to face briefings and discussions over LTP4.	Limited responses and take up of our offer.	Trying to identify other ways to get representation / input from these protected characteristic groups – engage with Equalities Manager and other Council Teams to identify most appropriate way to engage
Online platform results – informed comprehensive set of stakeholders to inform them of the platform and responses were made as to the issues and opportunities in respect of transport in East Sussex	Some of the targeted groups did not respond to the consultation / online platform. Less representation from people who do not identify as having a white background.	Identify other ways to engage with these groups – speak to Equalities Manager and other Council teams to identify most appropriate way to engage specific groups.
Upcoming Stage 2 (draft strategy) engagement.	Not applicable (pre-consultation).	We will regularly be reviewing the “about you” information on completed feedback to identify where users are under-represented as a proportion of all responses and consider targeted action to encourage these groups to respond. Targeted action might be adverts or engagement with groups to gather their views to feed into the consultation feedback process.

7. Prioritised Action Plan

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Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)

Page contents

1. Equalities Impact Assessment Overview

2. Policy Overview

3. Initial Assessment of whether the project requires an EqIA

4. Update on previous EqIAs and outcomes of previous actions

5. Review of information, equality analysis and potential actions

Protected Characteristic: Applies to all characteristics

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Age

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Disability

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Gender Reassignment

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Pregnancy and maternity

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Race/ethnicity

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Religion or belief

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Sex

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Sexual orientation

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Marriage and civil partnership

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Protected Characteristic: Impacts on community cohesion

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Additional Characteristic: Rurality

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Additional Characteristic: Carers

What do you know?

What do people tell you?

What does this mean?

What can you do?

Assessment of overall impacts and any further recommendations

6. List detailed data and/or community feedback that informed your EqIA

7. Prioritised Action Plan

A) All Stakeholders groups

Action planned

Expected outcome

Measure of success

Timeframe

B) All Stakeholders or groups