The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 requires public authorities to consider any adverse impact their policies and proposals may have in relation to race. The Act requires public authorities to carry out an impact assessment when considering any changes to existing policies or when introducing a new policy or proposal and to consult. Similar requirements for equality assessments in relation to disability have arisen following the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and for gender after the Equality Act 2006.
The Equality Standard for Local Government requires local authorities to carry out an Impact/Needs/Requirements assessment which not only requires consideration of the impact of changes in policy or practice, but also involves the collection of data, including monitoring information to look at the impact of current policies and practices and identify any unmet needs with regard to race, gender and disability.
Arising from the requirements of the above, St Albans District Council has developed its own Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process. It aims to encompass race, gender, disability, age, religion/belief and sexual orientation (for the purpose of EIAs in St Albans this would include issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities).
Equality Impact Assessments
Equalities Monitoring