www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Equality Impact Assessment - Grant Allocations (Arts)
1. What is the name of the policy or service that is being assessed?
Grant Allocation (Arts)
2. What are the aims of the policy or service? Whose needs is it designed to meet? What are the current priorities?
The service allows arts organisations in the County to seek grant funding from WCC arts budget to deliver specified projects or programmes of work through the year. Applicants must complete application forms detailing how their particular project/programme will meet the current WCC goals in the Corporate plan. Current priorities are based on widening access and participation to the arts especially within those under represented groups (e.g. minority ethnic groups, rurally isolated and young children), thereby giving people a unique arts experience that they may not have previously had before. Applicants must indicate how their project/ programme will meet these criteria. Evaluations are required from all funded groups to monitor that they have met the objectives set out in the initial application.
3. In what ways might this policy or service affect some groups of people differently? Might some groups find it harder to access the service? Do some groups have particular needs that are not well met by the current policy or service?
Racial/ Ethnic Groups
It may be that these community groups are not aware of the funding available in the first instance. Language barriers may exist making applicants reluctant to approach us about grant information. If English isn’t a first language then the application form would seem difficult to complete and help may be needed.
Disability
Depending on what level and type of disability somebody had, help may be needed in understanding or completing the application form. Some groups may not be aware of the funding available.
4. What evidence do you have for your judgement? Is there evidence of public concern (e.g. complaints)? Have staff raised concerns? Is there local or national research to suggest that there could be a problem?
Staff have not raised any concerns. Neither have Arts organisations, although they haven’t specifically been asked about the grant awards process. Local research is being undertaken looking at the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts in Wiltshire which may give more in depth information around some of the areas mentioned in Question 3. Other research papers have been completed within the County Council which show a diverse community living within Wiltshire.
5. Who have you consulted with as part of your assessment? What were the results? Have you published the results of that consultation? If so, where?
This assessment is based on known professional knowledge and known facts. It is hoped there will also be more evidence resulting from the Economic and Social Impact study which is due shortly. The report will be made available to the public
6. If you have found that the policy or service might have an adverse impact on a particular group of people, can you justify this?
N/A
7. If the impact cannot be justified, what do you intend to do about this? Are there changes that you could introduce which would make the policy or service work better for this group of people? Is further research or consultation required?
Please see question 9
How will you monitor the take-up or impact of the policy or service in future?
- Through data collected about each applicant group
- Through evaluation forms completed by groups
- Consultations or focus groups with applicant groups
8. What actions do you plan to take as a result of this equality impact assessment? Please state any resource implications.
There is going to be a full review of all grants allocation during this year 07/08. Therefore, dependent on future funding for the arts, an action plan containing the following elements could be put into place.
- Undertake further work into promoting the fund, especially within minority ethnic groups and disability groups.
- Introduce grant surgeries to help and support people through the application process. This would allow applicant groups to meet with an arts officer or representative of the arts service to get support and guidance on completing the grants application form.
- Simplify the application forms and process.
- Investigate the possibility of producing large print application forms.
- Undertake further research into the profile of our users. We are hoping that this will be answered in the Economic and Social Impact study.
- Look at our evaluation procedure to include feedback on grant application process.
- By December 2007, review the arts grants policy to align it with relevant Equality and Diversity criteria.
9. There is a legal requirement to publish the outcomes of Equality Impact Assessments. Please outline how / where this will happen.
WCC website
10. Name of person completing form
Library Services Manager
Date assessment completed
15.2.2007
11. Senior manager approval
Assistant Director Libraries & Heritage
Date:
15.2.2007
Contact Details
By Post
Equality & Diversity Team
Development Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713510
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
