Equality impact assessment

Summary

The requester asked for statistics on equality impact assessments conducted by Manx Utilities since the Equality Act 2017, but the authority refused the request because it would require creating new information or conducting analysis not mandated by the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Key Facts

• Manx Utilities is not required to maintain a central registry or database of equality assessment screenings.
• The authority cited Sections 8(3)(a) and 8(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 to refuse the request.
• Compliance would require the creation or derivation of information which the Act does not oblige the authority to do.
• The authority noted a similar question was raised in the House of Keys regarding a Wind Turbine project on 25 February 2025.
• The request was formally closed on 7 March 2025.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-02-13
• 2025-03-07
• 2017
• 2015
• 4446757
• 25 February 2025
• Q10

Exemptions Cited

• Freedom of Information Act 2015 Section 8(3)(a)
• Freedom of Information Act 2015 Section 8(3)(b)

Original Request

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding equality impact assessments conducted since the Equality Act 2017 came into force: Specifically, I would like to request: The number of decisions that were screened and the rationale for not producing a full equality impact assessment each year since the act came into effect. The number of equality assessments carried out each year since the Act came into effect and a list of topics covered by these assessments for each respective year.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 4446757 07 March 2025

Dear ###

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request received 13 February 2025, which states:

"I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding equality impact assessments conducted since the Equality Act 2017 came into force:

Specifically, I would like to request:

The number of decisions that were screened and the rationale for not producing a full equality impact assessment each year since the act came into effect.

The number of equality assessments carried out each year since the Act came into effect and a list of topics covered by these assessments for each respective year." While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance, complying with your request for information would require Manx Utilities to create or derive information from information that it holds or undertake research into, or analysis of information that it holds which Manx Utilities is not required to do under the Act in line with Sections 8(3)(a) and 8(3)(b). For these reasons Manx Utilities is not obliged to comply with your request. The Equality Act of 2017 requires public bodies to have due regard for equality issues to help eliminate discrimination. While Manx Utilities complies with this due regard, we are not required maintain a central registry or database of equality assessment screenings or where impact assessments have been carried out in full, nor do we currently report on this detail.
To provide some assistance, a similar question was raised recently in the House of Keys with respect to an Equality Impact Assessment for our Wind Turbine project the audio of which can be found at the following link (see 25 February 2025, House of Keys Q10): https://www.tynwald.org.im/search-audio Should you wish to submit a fresh request for a specific Manx Utilities related topic please complete and submit the required form available at www.gov.im/about-the- government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/.

If you require any assistance to reformulate your request please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Please quote the reference number 4446757 in any future communications. Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.