Aims of the strategy
The proposal is to alter the opening times of HRCs as follows:
Current: Summer 9am to 6pm April to September / Winter 10am to 4pm October to March
Proposed: Summer 9am to 5pm April to September / Winter 9am to 4pm October to March
There is no reduction in the overall number of hours HRCs will be open, but there are some advantages from changing the balance between winter and summer opening by 1 hour.
Background to the proposal
The proposed changes will provide better service in the early spring when demand can be high, make better use of the time (use tends to be higher earlier in the day rather than later) without incurring additional cost, and reduce pressure on traffic and disruption caused by queuing.
Intelligence and communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process:
Traffic data
Residents’ survey
The last operating hour in the summer is usually quiet.
There are no significant variations in perceptions about the waste service from people with protected characteristics to those without.
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
HRC teams
Business Insight and Corporate Comms
Feedback
n/a
Assessment
Impacts of the strategy
Impacts on who or what |
Effect |
Details |
|---|---|---|
Disability Gender reassignment and Gender Identity Marriage or civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race and Ethnicity Religion and belief Sex (consider men and women) Sexual orientation People with caring responsibilities Socio-economic deprivation Armed forces communities |
Neutral |
n/a |
Rural isolation |
Unclear |
Possible inconvenience of earlier summer closing if people are having to travel from rurally isolated areas |
Summary of impacts
It’s possible that anyone travelling from rurally isolated areas to an HRC at the end of the day during summer opening might be inconvenienced but data suggests this is a time when there are fewer visits to centres anyway, and the proposed change can be mitigated by communicating the new opening hours and monitoring any feedback. There is no reduction in the overall number of hours HRCs will be open.
Key to effects or impacts
Positive - the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Neutral - no change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups.
Negative - protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
People who have agreed the EQIA
Officer completing this EqIA: Ian Manley
Officers involved in completing the EqIA: Ian Manley, Gemma Clinton, Becky Forrester, Bridget Downton, Pete Jackson
Date of completion: 23 September 2021
Version Number: 1
EqIA review date: 23 September 2021
Inclusion Champion Sign Off: Bridget Downton
Equality Lead Sign Off: Becky Forrester
Appendix 1
Household Recycling Centres (HRC) change in opening times
Proposal: Change existing summer and winter opening times
Current: Summer 9am to 6pm April to September / Winter 10am to 4pm October to March
Proposed: Summer 9am to 5pm April to September / Winter 9am to 4pm October to March
Figure 1. HRC Hourly usage
Background/supporting evidence
Align with BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) council and achieve pan Dorset standardisation – removing cross boarder pressures – current BCP to DC (Dorset Council) usage in summer due to one additional hour.
In the short term, assist with disruption in kerbside services by providing greater winter availability.
Provide better service in early spring when demand can be high. In 2021 spring came early and the service came under pressure and struggled to cope.
A 9am opening in winter is seen as a better match to societal rhythm rather than 10am. This also helps smooth the demand throughout each day. reducing the impact of queuing traffic disrupting surrounding businesses and conflict with HRC staff.
More attractive recruitment proposition through the seasons. Currently the transition between winter and summer hours is seen as a barrier to many prospective candidates.
Traffic data indicates that the last operating hour in summer is usually quiet.
Cost neutral – no change in existing management fees or contractor terms and conditions (T&Cs).