Cambridge City Council Equality Impact Assessment
Completing an Equality Impact Assessment will help you to think about
what impact your strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major change to
your service may have on people that live in, work in or visit Cambridge, as
well as on City Council staff.
1. Title of strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major change to your service:
Community Development funding to voluntary and not-for-profit organisations.
Community Development Funding Priorities 2012-13- Approved by Community Services Scrutiny
Committee – 12th January 2012 (includes S106 funding to improve community facilities).
2. What is the objective or purpose of your strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major
change to your service?
To enable eligible voluntary organisations to provide services and activities that help meet the
community development strategic priorities, which in turn contributes to the City Council’s Medium
Term Objectives.
3. Who will be affected by this strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major change to your
service? (Please tick those that apply)
Residents - Yes
Visitors - Indirectly
Staff - Indirectly
A specific client group or groups (please state): People from equalities groups – BME; older; young;
children, transgender; LGBT; disability, gender, faith etc. People in specific geographical areas. People
on low income.
4. What type of strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major change to your service is this?
(Please tick)
New - No Revised - No Existing - Yes
5. Responsible directorate and service
Directorate: Customer & Community Services
Service: Community Development
6. Are other departments or partners involved in delivering this strategy, policy, plan, project,
contract or major change to your service?
Yes (please give details):
Internally: Sometimes we work with other services areas: homeless, safer communities, arts and
recreation, strategy and partnerships etc
Externally: Voluntary organisations, in particular infrastructure organisations, and other statutory
agencies.
7. Potential impact
Please list and explain how this strategy, policy, plan, project, contract or major change to your service could positively or negatively affect individuals
from the following equalities groups.
When answering this question, please think about:

The results of relevant consultation that you or others have completed (for example with residents, people that work in or visit Cambridge, service
users, staff or partner organisations).

Complaints information.

Performance information.

Information about people using your service (for example whether people from certain equalities groups use the service more or less than others).

Inspection results.

Comparisons with other organisations.

The implementation of your piece of work (don’t just assess what you think the impact will be after you have completed your work, but also think about
what steps you might have to take to make sure that the implementation of your work does not negatively impact on people from a particular equality
group).

The relevant premises involved.

Your communications.

National research (local information is not always available, particularly for some equalities groups, so use national research to provide evidence for
your conclusions).
Page 1
(a) Age (any group of people of a particular age, including younger and older people)
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for children and young
people and older people as follows:
CD1.1 Activities which support children and young people and families experiencing
disadvantage:
 to provide children and young people with opportunities to participate in positive activities,
engage in democratic processes, improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods and across the
city
 to meet the needs of children and young people in the areas of growth or demographic change
£100,000 available 2012-13
CD1.3 Activities which support older people to live social and physically active lives
£40,000 available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
Page 2
(b) Disability (including people with a physical impairment, sensory impairment, learning disability,
mental health problem or other condition which has an impact on their daily life)
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for people with disabilities
as follows:
CD1.2 Activities which support
 BME groups
 people with disabilities
 LGBT groups
 women lacking opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives
 community cohesion - helping people from different backgrounds to integrate into the
Cambridge community and to get on well together.
£95,000 funding available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
Page 3
(c) Gender
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for women as follows:
CD1.2 Activities which support
 BME groups
 people with disabilities
 LGBT groups
 women lacking opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives
 community cohesion - helping people from different backgrounds to integrate into the
Cambridge community and to get on well together.
£95,000 funding available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
(d) Pregnancy and maternity
Funding neither targets nor excludes this characteristic but will benefit through the wider
priorities and grant aid criteria for inclusion, and appropriate employment policies.
Page 4
(e) Transgender (including gender re-assignment)
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for transgender people as
follows:
CD1.2 Activities which support
 BME groups
 people with disabilities
 LGBT groups
 women lacking opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives
 community cohesion - helping people from different backgrounds to integrate into the
Cambridge community and to get on well together.
£95,000 funding available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
(f) Marriage and Civil Partnership
Although no funding priority directly targets this characteristic much of the funding available
can be of benefit without being directly identified.
Page 5
(g) Race or ethnicity
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for BME groups as
follows:
CD1.2 Activities which support
 BME groups
 people with disabilities
 LGBT groups
 women lacking opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives
 community cohesion - helping people from different backgrounds to integrate into the
Cambridge community and to get on well together.
£95,000 funding available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
(h) Religion or belief
Funding supports the community work aspect of faith groups.
Funding conditions preclude support for worship related activities, proselytising, religious instruction or
conversion.
Page 6
(i) Sexual orientation
Positive Impact
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for LGTB groups as
follows:
CD1.2 Activities which support
 BME groups
 people with disabilities
 LGBT groups
 women lacking opportunities to live safe and fulfilling lives
 community cohesion - helping people from different backgrounds to integrate into the
Cambridge community and to get on well together.
£95,000 funding available 2012-13
To enable people to come together to pursue community activities in all parts of the City.
Consideration will be given to specific activities and services that enable those groups and individuals
to participate in their communities and improve their own well-being
Activities must include one or more of the following:
 supporting those who are disadvantaged by low income/ disability/ discrimination
 proposals that enable people to participate in decisions and influence the services that affect
their lives
 bringing people together to identify common issues and to bring about change
 investigating local needs and developing responsive projects
 increasing the awareness of and celebrating the city’s cultural diversity
It is not for personal care services, proselytising or worship or services which are the
responsibility of other statutory agencies unless part of a formal partnership arrangement
CD 6 Area Committees – for local groups or groupings of city residents who want a grant for a
community project or activity that will benefit local people living in their area – especially those whose
opportunities may be limited by disadvantage such as disability, low income or discrimination.
£84,000 available 2012-13
There is no negative impact
Page 7
(j) Other factor that may lead to inequality (please state):
Social and Economic Deprivation.
Community Development Grant Priorities includes specific provision for this as follows:
 Improve access to Legal Advice Services (legal, welfare benefits, money/debt advice) for
disadvantaged residents which must have the appropriate quality mark and referral systems.
 Legal advice services are defined as advice, information or assistance involving knowledge of rights,
obligations, conferred by law, and of legal procedures, whether provided by a lawyer or otherwise.
 Promote Economic Inclusion. Supporting organisations that help individuals to overcome barriers to
participation in the City’s economy. Support, advice and guidance for workless people and those at
the risk of worklessness to gain the confidence, motivation, skills and qualifications to engage in
rewarding employment or entrepreneurial activities.
£385,000 funding available 2012-13
Current economic climate – groups are finding it increasingly difficult to access funding so more
groups are likely to fold, especially likely for those groups working with vulnerable people in our society.
Our funding targets capacity building that may help stop some of these groups folding.
Cash limiting the grants budget – The grants budget has been cash limited since 2006.
Cash limiting may have a “small” negative impact on priority groups – this does not represent an actual
cut in funding to any group, but means there may be less money available. However the amount
available has never been allocated in full through the main grants round. There has always been
funding available outside of the main grants round.
Page 8
8. If you have any additional comments please add them here
The Community Development Grant Priorities were implemented to support the Community
Development Strategy 2009-12. The priorities and allocation of the budget to those priorities were
adopted following Compact compliant consultation in Autumn 2009.
The CD strategy is underpinned by equality of opportunity with its vision statement:
To develop healthy, thriving, safe and sustainable communities built on social justice, mutual respect
and trust. Priority should be given to tackling the barriers that prevent people from living fulfilling lives
and from participating in decisions that affect them, particularly in areas of the city lacking opportunities
and facilities and with groups experiencing social and economic deprivation.
The Community Development grant investment is £861,690 (2012-13) and reaches over 100
organisations including national charities, local charities, community groups, organised service user
groups, infrastructure organisations and social enterprises.
Conditions of grant aid include organisations to have equal opportunities policies.
In addition to grant aid the Grant and Voluntary Sector Support Team provide advice, information and
guidance to build the capacity of the sector.
Monitoring arrangements are generally proportionate to value and risk, with a lighter touch for
monitoring of lower level grants/services. We currently do not collect equality monitoring data from
individual organisations.
The Council has been keen to engage with the Voluntary Sector and in the majority of cases the
Council has entered into partnership on the basis of the particular expertise and access to
disadvantaged groups which the organisation provides, supporting individuals who may otherwise
experience difficulty in accessing mainstream services and widening the service offer to address
culturally sensitive support needs
In some cases funded organisations supported more than one equalities group
By funding organisations which help and encourage people especially from marginalised communities
back to work, (providing training, education and life skills) – this helps lessen the publics stereotypical
views and changes perceptions.
The Council allocates capital grants to organisations to provide community facilities which are
accessible to all residents, and in particular, those with protected characteristics.
Civil Society 5/12/12 states 56% of Local Authorities have reduced the amount of grant funding
between 2011/12 and 2012/13 with 50% making disproportionate cuts to grant funding. Cambridge
City council has not cut their Community Development grants budget – just cash limited (see above
Page 9
9. Conclusions and Next Steps

If you have not identified any negative impacts, please sign off this form.

If you have identified potential negative actions, you must complete the action plan at the end of this
document to set out how you propose to mitigate the impact. If you do not feel that the potential
negative impact can be mitigated, you must complete question 8 to explain why that is the case.

If there is insufficient evidence to say whether or not there is likely to be a negative impact, please
complete the action plan setting out what additional information you need to gather to complete the
assessment.
All completed Equality Impact Assessments must be emailed to David Kidston, Strategy and
Partnerships Manager, who will arrange for it to be published on the City Council’s website. Email
[email protected].
10. Sign off
Name and job title of assessment lead officer: Elaine Shortt – Senior Grants Officer
Names and job titles of other assessment team members and people consulted:
Ari Henry – Community Development Officer (Equalities & Inclusion)
Jackie Hanson – Operations & Resources Manager
Trevor Woollams – Head of Community Development
Date of completion: December 2012
Date of next review of the assessment: 2016 or if the priorities change
Action Plan – no action required
T
Page 10