GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
Equality Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessment
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Step One – identification and scope
1.0 The title of this assessment
Equality Impact Assessment of Glasgow City Council Allotment Strategy 2009-
2014
1.1 Date assessment completed
April 2010
1.2 Responsible officer
Fiona McKinnon, Assistant Manager (Strategic Development)
1.3 Contact details
Land and Environmental Services
37 High St
Glasgow
G1 1LX
Tel: 0141 287 4192
1.4 This is an assessment of
A new policy
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1.5 These are the aims and objectives of the policy/function and the scope of the
assessment
Aims
The key aims of the Allotment Strategy are to improve the quality and quantity of
allotments in Glasgow. Whilst the primary focus of the strategy pertains to
Council owned sites, Land and Environmental Services (LES) is seeking to
promote good practice, partnership working and inclusiveness within all allotment
sites in Glasgow.
Objectives
The strategy is based on six key commitments.
1. Improve our allotment sites
This commitment deals with improving the physical infrastructure of sites to
ensure a consistent standard across all sites. It includes tackling issues like
security, planned maintenance, providing toilet and washing facilities, health
and safety, drainage and improving accessibility for children, community
groups and those with disabilities.
2. Source sustainable funding for allotments
This commits to designating an officer within Land and Environmental
Services to source funding for allotments, and securing funding through
partnership working.
3. Form partnerships to benefit allotments
In developing this commitment, it was acknowledged that a significant number
of allotments sites already had areas devoted to schools, charities, Social
Work, Housing Associations and community groups. This demonstrates the
breadth of community involvement on allotment sites in areas such as
environmental education, therapeutic gardening, developing work readiness
and volunteering. However, it was felt that there was capacity to build further
relationships (both at a strategic and a local level) with NHS, Community
Planning, schools, colleges and charities to bring additional value to sites, e.g.
developing an outreach education programme in partnership with Cardonald
College.
4. Increase the availability of allotments
This commitment includes improving processes and transparency for
managing waiting lists, developing plot sharing for those perhaps unable to
manage full plots and starter plots, promoting the use of volunteer helpers on
sites, identifying land for future provision, investigating the provision of
temporary growing spaces within the city.
5. Develop allotment sites to their full potential
This commitment deals with promoting the links between allotment sites, local
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communities and educational establishments. It includes developing
partnerships with agencies such as charities and NHS to allow organisations
and client groups to benefit from allotment gardening. It also involves
informing and educating the wider public in the benefits of allotment
gardening. One of the key elements of this commitment is the promotion of
inclusiveness on all sites.
6. Prioritise biodiversity, environmental sustainability and recycling on allotment
sites.
This commitment is concerned with the promotion of biodiversity, composting
and recycling at allotment sites.
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Step Two – research and consultation
These are the sources of evidence used and the key facts that informed the
assessment of the policy or function
Research
In writing the strategy, evidence of best practice was collated from all over the UK.
Allotment strategies from several local authorities were reviewed, and information on
best practice and current issues was obtained from organisations, e.g. Glasgow
Allotments Forum, The Allotments Regeneration Initiative, Scottish Allotments and
Gardens Society, Federation of City Farms and Gardens, Trellis, Glasgow and Clyde
Valley Green Network, Enable, Scottish Natural Heritage, NHS and Community Health
and Care Partnership (CHCP) health promotion officers, amongst others.
Furthermore, a series of questions about how other local authorities provide allotments
was circulated on our behalf via the Association of Public Sector Excellence.
LES comments and complaints procedure was reviewed to ascertain what were the
commonest complaints regarding allotments.
Stakeholder consultation
A three month consultation on the draft strategy was carried out with existing
plotholders (1320) and those on the waiting lists (652), along with national and local
groups and organisations with an interest in allotments and community gardens (24).
In addition, public consultation was enabled by accessing the Council’s website.
Copies of the consultation document and response sheets were placed in all of
Glasgow’s libraries along with bright publicity material.
An equalities monitoring questionnaire was included with the response sheet. From
this the following was ascertained:
Ethnicity
98% of the respondents were white, and of these, 74% were Scottish and 15% British
1% was Pakistani
1% was British/Hispanic
Disability
8% considered themselves disabled, with half of these respondents advising that they
had mobility difficulties.
Gender
55% were female
45% were male
Age
31% were in the over 74 age category
22% were in the 65-74 age category
18.5% were in the 55-64 age category
27% were in the 45-54 age category
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1.5% were in the 25-44 age category
Notably 98.5% were aged 45 or older, while 71.5% were aged 55 or older. Arguably
this evidences why allotment holders are often perceived as being of an older age
group.
Within the consultation process, accessibility to information was seen as an important
element. Copies of the consultation documents were posted directly to plotholders so
that they did not have to go and seek a copy out, or go to a meeting to discuss it. This
pack also included pre-paid return envelopes.
The tone and language used within both the consultation and strategy documents were
carefully considered to ensure the documents were easily understood.
An introductory booklet was produced which summarised the main commitments so
that people could be aware of the strategy without having to read the entire document.
A translation service and a large print service were made available on request.
From the initial research and consultation, equality related issues which emerged were:
the physical barriers to site entry, e.g. uneven pathways,
that the size of plots may be to large for new plotholders and those with
physical disabilities to manage,
the lack of toilets and washing facilities,
issues with site security,
the perception that allotment sites were the domain of older men,
the process for allocation of plots was not transparent
issues about how allotment associations were managed, e.g. how office
bearers were elected, access to meetings and AGMs, communication
with plotholders etc.
The strategy was written to take account of these (and other issues).
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Step Three – assessing the impact
Based on your evidence, outline the positive, negative and neutral impacts the
policy/function has, or may have, on the following groups:
Black and ethnic minority people
We are of the opinion that the strategy does not directly discriminate against black and
ethnic minority people, but acknowledge that more could be done to increase
awareness of allotments within these communities, especially in relation to the healthy
eating and exercise benefits of allotment gardening. One of the sites has specific links
to an African woman’s group who work on an allotment plot, and some of the sites
have had groups of asylum seekers working on them. Through the strategy, this type
of link is promoted and should be expanded.
Generally, there is little marketing carried out for allotments as the demand is currently
very high and there are long waiting lists. However, we acknowledge that increasing
awareness with targeted marketing amongst black and ethnic minority groups,
especially in areas where waiting lists are shorter could have a positive impact in
encouraging access to sites.
Disabled People
The strategy has a positive impact on opportunities for disabled people. In fact, there
currently are a number of sites which provide plots and have partnerships with groups
whose clients have both physical and mental health related disabilities. There are
specific actions within the strategy for:
ensuring that our sites are accessible for people with special needs,
developing closer links with organisations which promote and develop the
use of horticulture to improve health, well being and life opportunities in
Scotland,
encouraging NHS, Social Work, Community Health and Care
Partnerships to design and build new allotment sites for particular client
groups.
Smaller plots and starter plots are being introduced to ensure that those who may be
less physically able can also share in the benefits of allotments.
Women/Men
The image of allotments is one of an older man’s domain. We acknowledge historically
that the majority of plotholders were elderly, white males. The actual gender split for
Council rented plots is 44.4% female and 55.6% male. However, the majority of recent
enquiries about becoming a plotholder have come from women (58% of enquiries).
The popularity of allotment gardening and ‘grow your own’ schemes has expanded
significantly in the past 2-3 years and the demographics of those involved on a national
scale has changed significantly as a result.
Barriers to access for women are:
lack of toilet and washing facilities
issues with site security
overcoming a predominately male environment
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We should also acknowledge, however, that in some cases men’s health and social
groups may benefit from the generally male only environment and the physical activity
undertaken on sites.
Through the strategy, we are taking steps to improve toilet and washing facilities, and
site security. We are also looking at improving security on sites, by fencing, planting
and investigating a ‘plot watch’ scheme. The introduction of smaller and starter plots
may also be more attractive to women.
Waiting lists and plot allocation for each individual site are managed by the Site
Association. We have committed to ensuring the process of plot allocation and waiting
lists is transparent, and that we action cases of bullying and harassment on sites
efficiently and effectively.
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender people
Again, there are issues with the perception of allotments as a traditional male domain.
There have been no recorded complaints in relation to discrimination against Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual or Transgender people, however we acknowledge that this does not
mean that discrimination does not occur. Waiting lists and plot allocation for each
individual site are managed by the Site Association. We have committed to ensuring
the process of plot allocation and waiting lists is transparent, and that we action cases
of bullying and harassment on sites efficiently and effectively.
Older people/younger people
Barriers for older people to allotments have been:
topography of sites
site security
toilet facilities
size of plots and physical ability to maintain a plot to the required
standard
All of the above are addressed within the strategy, in terms of physical improvements
to sites along with the introduction of smaller and starter plots.
Barriers for younger people (children) have been:
site security
toilet and washing facilities.
Many of the allotment associations already have links with local schools and carry out
education in food production and use, wider environmental education and promotion of
healthy lifestyles. Through the strategy, these links will be further promoted and
expanded.
The schools allotment working group, which is a partnership between Land and
Environmental Services and Education Services, has recently been re-established.
This aims to ensure that all school children within Glasgow have access to an
allotment, either on site at school or through an allotment site.
Faith or religion
We are of the opinion that the strategy does not directly discriminate against any
specific faith group, and there are no recorded complaints related to this equality
strand. However, we acknowledge that this does not mean that discrimination does
not occur.
We have committed to ensuring the process of plot allocation and waiting lists is
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transparent, and that we action cases of bullying and harassment on sites efficiently
and effectively.
General
We have committed to working with allotment associations to ensure that all our
allotment sites are managed properly and fairly. This includes ensuring that Council
policy on issues such as health and safety, bullying and harassment, equality and
discrimination are laid out within the Site Management Guide and are adhered to by
allotment associations.
The strategy contains specific actions for:
reviewing current practices for investigating allegations of discrimination,
bullying and harassment on sites,
investigating the feasibility of setting up an appeals committee to hear
such allegations.
We are also looking at ways of improving the transparency of the waiting lists to ensure
that there is no discrimination in who is invited to take up a plot.
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Stage Four – taking action
Detail the actions you will take to remove or mitigate any actual or potential negative
impacts identified, and to build on positive impacts. Include timescales and
responsibilities
Issues which are being addressed through the strategy are:
provision of toilet and washing facilities
improvement of site security, especially taking into account issues of
women working alone on sites and young people
training of site associations to include:
o awareness of their duties through the various parts of anti
discrimination legislation
o bullying and harassment
o transparency in plot allocation processes
regular collation and assessment of issues raised through the complaints
scheme
introducing regular monitoring of sites and site associations
regular collection of information about plotholders, e.g. age, gender,
ethnicity etc. (equalities monitoring).
increasing awareness of allotments to ensure all strands of the
community are aware of them, with targeted promotion aimed at the
black and ethnic minority communities, women and young people
introducing smaller plot sizes for those less able to maintain large areas.
Timescales are as follows:
Toilet and washing facilities – a pilot study for a fully accessible
composting toilet will be completed by October 2010. Thereafter,
assessment for implementation on sites will be done on a priority basis.
Washing facilities will be incorporated into this assessment. In the mean
time, bacterial hand wash is available on sites. New sites being
constructed have fully integrated toilets/washing facilities
(M/F/accessible) – High Carntyne in 2008, and Bellahouston being
constructed this year.
Site security is being improved on a programmed basis throughout the
length of the strategy. Balornock, Trinley Brae and Manswood have
already been upgraded, with Beechwood. Due to be upgraded in May
2010.
Training programmes to be designed and delivered by 2014.
Complaints are now recorded on the Council’s Remedy system which
now allows regular reports to be collated.
Equalities monitoring has been carried out in a limited way to date (age
and gender). From 2011 the Council’s standard equalities monitoring
form will be issued to every plot holder alongside their missive
documentation (this documentation has to be returned to the Council by
every plotholder to ensure they can use their allotment for the following
year).
Targeted marketing being carried out as standard practice (specifically
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for 60+ age group, aimed at maintaining active, healthy lifestyles for
those in supported housing). Throughout the lifespan of the allotments
strategy (2009-14), this will be developed to target black and ethnic
minority communities, women and young people.
The introduction of smaller plots is already in progress, with half and
quarter plots being available on a number of sites. This availability will be
increased throughout the term of the strategy.
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Stage Five – feedback on proposed actions
Detail feedback from key stakeholders on the impacts identified and the proposed
action plan
All of the issues identified within the consultation have been addressed in the strategy
and action plan. The final strategy was discussed at the Glasgow Allotments Forum
(an umbrella group which represents allotment sites within Glasgow) Policy Working
Group, and they were satisfied with the content of the Strategy, including those parts of
it that specifically addressed equalities issues.
Detail changes proposed to your action plan in the light of this feedback
There is continued bi-monthly engagement between GCC officers and Glasgow
Allotments Forum, where current issues are discussed and resolved.
The Allotments Enquiry Service is now operated though the Council’s Access Centre
and Remedy system. This ensures that all enquiries are logged and actioned. This
also assists with the collation of information on different types of enquiries.
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Step Six – monitoring and evaluation
Detail the arrangements put in place to monitor and evaluate the results of action
The continued discussion with Glasgow Allotment Forum is an informal monitoring
mechanism for the strategy and action plan.
One of the recommendations of the strategy was to set up an Allotments Monitoring
Group. This will be a group of key individuals with a specific knowledge and interest in
the area who will assist with the monitoring of outcomes arising from the equality
impact assessment action plan. This group, along with its roles and remit, is currently
being developed.
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Step Seven – approval
Please indicate who has approved this assessment for publication
Stevie Scott
Parks and Environment Manager
Land and Environmental Services
231 George St.
Glasgow
G1 1RX
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