Integrated Impact Assessment

The purpose of South Lanarkshire Council is to protect the people and the place of South Lanarkshire from harm, enabling them to prosper and supporting them in case of harm happening.

The purpose of an Integrated Impact Assessment is to evidence that South Lanarkshire Council is making decisions in an informed way, and that the impact of decisions made is understood and accepted. The council is subject to a range of legal duties that govern its decision-making, and it is vital that these duties are complied with. This Integrated Impact Assessment considers the key legal duties. Other relevant duties are referenced in the guidance that accompanies this Integrated Impact Assessment and will need to be considered as required by those undertaking the assessment.

The legislation that is considered within this assessment are:

Section 2 Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics

Section 3 Socio-Economic

Section 4 Human Rights

Section 5 Children and Young People’s Rights

Section 6 Consumer Duty

Section 7 Sustainability

Section 8 Armed Forces Duty

Section 9 Sign Off

The term ‘policy’ is used throughout this document and applies to policies, proposals, strategies, provision, criteria, functions, practice, budget savings and activities that includes delivery of our services.

About the Policy

1.1 Title - Policy Title (include budget reference number if applicable)
Agile Working
1.2 What does this policy seek to achieve?
Agile working guidance aims to ensure council needs are being met; that approaches to agile working are consistent across similar work areas or buildings, where it is possible to do so; and that managers and employees have a reference document to clearly know and understand what the Council arrangements are for agile working.
1.3 Is this a new or existing policy?
New (guidance)
1.4 Is this report going to a committee?
Yes
1.5 Committee name and date:
Executive Committee 25 June 2025
1.6 Resource and Service -
Personnel Services, Finance and Corporate Resources

Impacts

This section shows the considerations that have been made in relation to the policy - and that the impact of proposals made is understood and accepted.

Equality Act 2010 - Protected Characteristics

South Lanarkshire Council wants to ensure everyone is treated fairly. This section identifies the protected characteristics that the policy potentially affects and records the impact and mitigating steps.

2.1 What impact could this policy have on any of the groups below?

What is the impact?
Negative	Neutral	Positive
Protected Characteristic	High	Medium	Low
Age	X
Disability	X
Gender Reassignment	X
Marriage and Civil Partnership	X
Pregnancy and Maternity	X
Race	X
Religion or Belief	X
Sex	X
Sexual Orientation	X

2.2 How will the policy impact people with these protected characteristics?

The guidance is aimed at ensuring approaches are consistent across the workforce, in roles that are eligible for agile working but may impact on some groups in the following ways: Some employees may benefit from social opportunities that being at a workplace can present and reduce the risk of social isolation. There is, however, potential for a negative impact related to disability for some employees. Individual circumstances can vary greatly and as a result there may be condition specific impacts or related to managing a condition/s at a workplace location.

2.3 What considerations have been made in reaching the above assessment?

What internal or external data has been considered? What does this data tell us?
Agile working is taking place across the council and will continue to take place across the council. There are a large proportion are considered to be frontline posts which cannot be worked in an agile way as the work location dictates the workstyle, such as teachers and manual workers. Of the posts that can be agile, an agile working review and verification exercise was carried out. The key findings were that almost 60% of employees are working 60% or more of the working week from a council workspace, and that there are a range of arrangements in place, which demonstrates inconsistency in current approaches. The findings therefore support the need for corporate guidance. Considerations have been made in relation to employee data gathered on agile working. In addition, trade unions we consulted on the guidance and any issues raised were responded to.
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with officers and partner organisations?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, consultation and engagement has taken place through the Corporate and Resource Management Teams, Trade Unions. Further consultation will be undertaken should be this be directed by Executive Committee.
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with people who may be impacted by this policy (for example citizens, community groups, or other people/groups)?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, engagement and consultation has taken place with Trade Unions as representatives of the wider workforce.

2.4 What mitigations can be put in place?

What mitigations are there against any negative impacts (if applicable)?
This guidance provides options including: The option for an employee to vary their work style on an individual basis and enable consideration of specific circumstances. An appeals process. A consistent and fair approach for eligible roles Managers guidance with consideration for personal circumstances such as a referral to Occupational Health; application for support from Access to Work; the Tailored adjustment process. Existing policies, procedures, and facilities also provide mitigation such as: Flexible Working Policy Tailored Adjustment Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Quiet Room Carers passport The options included in the guidance and existing policies, procedures, and facilities provide employees and managers to consider individual circumstances.
With mitigations in place, what is the new overall rating of the negative impact(s)?	High

Medium

Low

Negative Impact Removed	X

Public Sector Equality Duty

South Lanarkshire Council has a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty ("PSED"). This duty runs through every aspect of the council's day-to-day business, and the council must have due regard to how it can promote equality and improve outcome for those that have protected characteristics. To ensure that the council complies with the Public Sector Equality Duty, you should consider the following points:

Does this policy contribute towards the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation or any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010?
No, this guidance impacts all employees who work in posts identified as agile equally.
Does this policy advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it?
No, this guidance impacts all employees who work in posts identified as agile equally.
Does this policy foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it?
No, this guidance impacts all employees who work in posts identified as agile equally.

Socio-Economic Impacts

This section is used to consider the impact of the policy on people who might be unemployed, single parents, people with lower education or literacy, looked after children, those with protected characteristics as examples.

Use this guide to understand more on socio-economic inequalities: The Fairer Scotland Duty: Guidance for Public Bodies (www.gov.scot)

3.1 What impact could this policy have on any of the groups below?

Group	Negative	Neutral	Positive

High	Medium	Low

Low income / income poverty – those who cannot afford regular bills, food, clothing payments.	X	X
Low and/or no wealth – those who can meet basic living costs but have no savings for unexpected spend or provision for the future.	X	X
Material deprivation – those who cannot access basic goods and services, unable to repair/replace broken electrical goods, heat their homes or access to leisure or hobbies	X	X
Area deprivation – consider where people live and where they work (accessibility and cost of transport).	X
Socio-economic background – social class, parents’ education, employment, income.	X

3.2 In what way will the policy impact people in these groups?

Potential negative impacts Low income/income poverty Low and or no wealth Material deprivation Area deprivation Socio-economic background Workwear Costs: Employees required to attend council offices more frequently may need to purchase additional clothing suitable for the workplace. However, evolving workplace dress codes may help reduce this impact. Travel Expenses: More frequent office attendance could lead to higher costs for public transport, fuel, or vehicle maintenance. Employees may also face challenges with public transport availability and longer commute times. Childcare Costs: Additional commuting time may result in increased childcare expenses for some employees. Potential positive impacts Material deprivation Employees who struggle to heat their homes during the day may benefit from reduced heating expenses while working in a heated office environment. Access to a warm workplace may be especially beneficial for those with inadequate home heating facilities. Some office locations offer access to initiatives such as Too Good To Go, which can help reduce food costs and waste. Income and wealth Although some employees already have agile working arrangements, employees who do not, but work in posts which can be worked agile, may benefit from reducing the number of days travelling into the office reducing travel costs.

3.3 What considerations have been made in reaching the above assessment?

What internal or external data has been considered? What does this data tell us?
Internal data gathered from the review and verification exercise has been considered. This data shows that 80% of employees in eligible posts currently work agile. Additional data sources: SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) Scottish House Condition Survey: Local Authority Analysis 2017-2019 - gov.scot Scottish Health Survey ONS data – Impact of increased cost of living 2023 (across UK)
What consultation and engagement and has been undertaken with officers and partner organisations?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, consultation and engagement has taken place through the Corporate and Resource Management Teams, Trade Unions. Further consultation will be undertaken should be this be directed by Executive Committee.
What consultation and engagement and has been undertaken with people who may be impacted by this policy? citizens, community groups, or other people/groups impacted by this policy?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, engagement and consultation has taken place with Trade Unions as representatives of the wider workforce.

3.4 What mitigations can be put in place?

What mitigations are there against any negative impacts (if applicable)?
Workwear Costs The shift towards more relaxed workplace dress codes may help reduce the need for employees to purchase additional clothing specifically for office attendance. Travel and Childcare Costs Employees may request to work from a council workplace closer to home, which could help reduce commuting time, travel expenses, and vehicle wear and tear. The council also offers access to the Cycle to Work scheme, providing a cost-effective and healthy commuting alternative. Where additional commuting time leads to increased childcare needs, flexible working patterns or adjusted start and finish times may help mitigate the impact.
With mitigations in place, what is the new overall rating of the negative impact(s)?	High

Medium

Low	X

Negative Impact Removed

Human Rights Impacts

The Human Rights Act 1998 sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to. It incorporates the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic British law. The Human Rights Act came into force in the UK in October 2000

The Act sets out our human rights in a series of ‘Articles’. Each Article deals with a different right.

Use this guide to understand more about Human Rights.

4.1 What impact could this policy have on Human Rights?

Human Rights Article	Negative	Neutral	Positive
Article 6: Right to a fair trial	X
Article 7: No punishment without law	X
Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence	X
Article 9: Freedom of thought, belief and religion	X
Article 10: Freedom of expression	X
Article 11: Freedom of assembly and association	X
Article 12: Right to marry and start a family	X
Article 14: Protection from discrimination in respect of these rights and freedoms	X
Article 1 of Protocol 1: Right to peaceful enjoyment of your property	X
Article 2 of Protocol 1: Right to education	X
Article 3 of Protocol 1: Right to participate in free elections	X

4.2 In what way will the policy impact Human Rights?

This guidance is assumed to have no impact on Human Rights.

4.3 What mitigations can be put in place?

What mitigations are there against any negative impacts (if applicable)?
Not required as no negative impact identified.
If mitigations are in place, does this remove the negative impact?	No – negative impact remains

Yes – negative impact reduced

Yes - negative impact removed

Children and Young People’s Rights Impacts Assessing for impact on the United Nation Convention of the Rights of the Child requirements

Legislation to incorporate the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law came into force in July 2024. This requires the council to make proactive steps to ensure it is protecting children's rights when it is making decisions and delivering services, and to report on the progress it is making to do this.

The United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.

Children’s rights apply to every child/young person under the age of 18 and to adults still eligible to receive a “children’s service” (for example care leavers aged 18 – 25 years old).

The Conventions are also known as the “General Principles” and they help to interpret all the other articles and play a fundamental role in realising all the rights in the Convention for all children. They are:

Non-discrimination (Article 2)

Best interest of the child (Article 3)

Right to life survival and development (Article 6)

Right to be heard (Article 12)

You can read the full UN Convention (pdf), or just a summary (pdf), to find out more about the rights that are included.

5.1 What impact could this policy have on the rights of Children and Young People?

UNCRC and Optional Protocols	Negative	Neutral	Positive
Article 1: definition of the child	X
Article 2: non-discrimination	X
Article 3: best interests of the child	X
Article 4: implementation of the convention	X
Article 5: parental guidance and a child's evolving capacities	X
Article 6: life, survival and development	X
Article 7: birth registration, name, nationality, care	X
Article 8: protection and preservation of identity	X
Article 9: separation from parents	X
Article 10: family reunification	X
Article 11: abduction and non-return of children	X
Article 12: respect for the views of the child	X
Article 13: freedom of expression	X
Article 14: freedom of thought, belief and religion	X
Article 15: freedom of association	X
Article 16: right to privacy	X
Article 17: access to information from the media	X
Article 18: parental responsibilities and state assistance	X
Article 19: protection from violence, abuse and neglect	X
Article 20: children unable to live with their family	X
Article 21: adoption	X
Article 22: refugee children	X
Article 23: children with a disability	X
Article 24: health and health services	X
Article 25: review of treatment in care	X
Article 26: social security	X
Article 27: adequate standard of living	X
Article 28: right to education	X
Article 29: goals of education	X
Article 30: children from minority or indigenous groups	X
Article 31: leisure, play and culture	X
Article 32: child labour	X
Article 33: drug abuse	X
Article 34: sexual exploitation	X
Article 35: abduction, sale and trafficking	X
Article 36: other forms of exploitation	X
Article 37: inhumane treatment and detention	X
Article 38: war and armed conflicts	X
Article 39: recovery from trauma and reintegration	X
Article 40: juvenile justice	X
Article 41: respect for higher national standards	X
Article 42: knowledge of rights	X
Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure	X

5.2 Children’s Rights Wellbeing Impact Assessment

Considerations
1.Which UNCRC Articles are relevant to the CRWIA? No answer
2.What impact will the policy/measure will have on children’s rights? No answer
3. Will there be different impacts on different groups of children and young people? No answer
4. If a negative impact is assessed for any area of rights or any group of children and young people, what options have you considered to modify the proposal, or mitigate the impact? No answer
5. How will the policy/measure contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland? No answer
6. How will the plan give better or further effect to the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland? No answer
7. What evidence have you used to inform your assessment? No answer
8. Have you consulted with relevant stakeholders? No answer
9. How has the voice of children and young people informed this area of work and the CRWIA? No answer
10. Have you involved children and young people in the development of the policy/measure? No answer
11. Overall summary of changes made as a result of impact assessment. No answer
12. If there are any remaining negative impacts after mitigation, what is the justification for why this policy should proceed.
No answer
13. How will the impact of the plan be monitored and reported on an ongoing basis? No answer

Consumer Duty

The Consumer Scotland Act 2020 created a legal duty, called the Consumer Duty. The Consumer Duty requires ‘relevant public authorities’ in Scotland, when they are making decisions of a strategic nature through the exercise of their functions, to have regard to:

The impact of those decisions on consumers in Scotland

The desirability of reducing harm to consumers in Scotland

Guidance produced by Consumer Scotland

Links to Guidance:

how-to-meet-the-consumer-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities-draft.pdf

consumer-duty-guidance-carrying-out-an-impact-assessment-draft.pdf

6.1 Consider this policy against the Consumer Duty

Planning The agile working guidance is not considered a strategic document, and it does not introduce a new policy. The guidance aims to support current approaches to agile working by providing managers and employees with a reference document that sets out clearly and consistently what the council arrangements are for agile working.
What Evidence do you have to support this decision? No answer as this guidance is not deemed a strategic decision
Assess and improve the proposal No answer as this guidance is not deemed a strategic decision
Changes to the policy and finalisation No answer as this guidance is not deeded a strategic decision

Sustainability Impact Assessment

Background Information

Reducing the council’s contribution to climate change and taking action to reduce the impacts of climate change is central to living and working sustainably.

The council has a statutory duty under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to:

reduce carbon emissions from its activities and influence the reduction of carbon emissions in the wider community.

take action to adapt to the impacts caused by the effects of climate change – in our local communities, on our buildings, infrastructure, service delivery and the natural environment, and.

to act sustainably in everything, it does as a council

This legislation requires the council to consider all the above within its decision-making processes.

This template aims to ensure that factors related to carbon, climate change adaptation and sustainability are included within a proposal.

Assessing the impact also supports the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020 which requires public bodies to include in their annual climate change reports “how the body will align its spending plans and use of resources with emissions targets”.

Assessing this impact will help mitigate one of the council’s top risks: ‘the failure to meet sustainable development and climate change objectives’ and supports a main objective of the council’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy 2022-2027: ‘to build a sustainable, climate resilient and net zero South Lanarkshire together in a fair and inclusive way’.

Sustainability impact assessments aim to consider likely effects of proposals on South Lanarkshire’s people, infrastructure, natural and physical environment. They are not an in-depth expert assessment but rather a high-level assessment which helps consider impacts in terms of carbon emissions, adapting to the effects of climate change, social justice, economic wellbeing, and good environmental stewardship, as well as the steps taken (or planned) to mitigate any adverse impacts.

SUSTAINABLITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
Ref No.	Category	Question(s)	Yes/No/Unknown	Description of Impact	If Yes, How Significant is the Impact?
1	Energy (usage, demand and generation)	Does the activity/proposal impact energy demand, use and provision?	Unknown	We can assume that there might be a negative impact on energy use as there may be more employees in council buildings. There are however a wide range of unknown variables at this time which make it very hard to make a determination on the actual impact. Overall energy for devices is unlikely to change as employee equipment use (laptops and phones) should not change based on agile working guidance implementation. This IIA does not currently include data on energy consumption in home vs. office. Agile working may increase energy use in employees’ homes as these spaces are used for work during the day depending on individual circumstances. Council buildings may have a change in energy use due to fewer/more devices being powered simultaneously, however lighting and heating are unlikely to change as the office spaces will continue to be utilised by employees. Data on the energy use in council building will be available around August 2026. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for. A working pattern review and verification exercise has shown that more than half of employees currently work more than 60% of their time at a council building. Further, over 75% of employees are working more than half of their time at a council building.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
2	Water (quality, demand, use and disposal)	Does the activity/proposal impact on the sustainable use, management and conservation of water?	Unknown	We can assume that there might be a negative impact on water use as there may be more employees in council buildings. There are however a wide range of unknown variables at this time which make it very hard to make a determination on the actual impact. A working pattern review and verification exercise has shown that more than half of employees currently work more than 60% of their time at a council building. Further, over 75% of employees are working more than half of their time at a council building. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for. It may be possible to review water consumption data from council buildings pre- and post-agile working implementation using data from water usage received by Community and Enterprise Resources annually form Housing and Technical Resources however this could take time to have the necessary data for comparison.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
3	Environmental Good Stewardship (air and soil quality, noise and light pollution)	Does the activity/proposal result in any emissions to air, soil and/or water? Does the activity/proposal impact air quality or noise and light pollution?	Unknown	Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact as the council does not currently report commuting related emissions -however this year this data will be provided for the first time. Significant under-reporting of staff commuting emissions is the critical gap in terms of understanding how corporate governance and decisions concerning hybrid work practices might significantly influence the public sector’s emissions footprint: Public Bodies Climate Change Reporting - Analysis Report 2023-24	Select an assessment level.
4	Waste (total volume, end of life disposal and recycling, resource use and product consumption)	Does the activity/proposal impact waste generation or disposal methods?	Unknown	We can assume that total volume, end of life disposal and recycling, resource use and product consumption is unlikely to change whether an employee works from home versus council building as there should be no change in the resources required or how they are used. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for as some employees may require additional IT equipment for example monitor keyboard and mouse which would increase e-waste.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
5	Active Travel and Sustainable Transport (walking, wheeling, cycling)	Does the activity/proposal impact the use of fossil fuelled vehicles and the provision of low carbon travel opportunities in communities?	Unknown	We can assume that there might be a negative impact on emissions however the impact will not be detectable until 2027. Emissions data will be available around November 2025 for the 2024 period which reflects the current work model. The 2025 data will be available in 2026 which will reflect part current model and part agile working guidance implementation. A complete year reflecting the agile working guidance will be shown in the 2027 figures which will reflect the 2026 period. There may also need to be consideration for the council’s route map to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030 which was developed in partnership with CoSLA- The Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities. The route map makes use of behavioural change theory and identifies four sustainable travel behaviours for everyone in Scotland to consider each time we plan a journey, setting out a range of transport and non-transport interventions that will help them to adopt these behaviours. These behaviours are: make use of online options, where appropriate, to reduce the need to travel choose local destinations to reduce the distance travelled switch to walk, wheel, cycle or public transport where possible combine a trip or share a journey to reduce the number of individual car trips made, if a car remains the only feasible option.	Select an assessment level.
6	Transport (Fleet)	Does the activity/proposal impact the use of council-owned fleet/ staff travel?	Unknown	We can assume that the appropriate use-case for pool cars should remain unchanged - vehicle collection, return and usage. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact based on the usage by different resources. Data could be collected using fleet usage logs and fuel consumption data before and after agile working implementation.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
7	Communities (resilience, awareness, communication, skills)	Does this activity help build awareness, willingness, and skills in our communities to address climate change?	No	Changes to agile working is unlikely to specifically build climate awareness or resilience in communities, but there is insufficient information to conclude no impact.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
8	Reduced Inequalities and Social Justice (poverty, inclusion, cost of living, fair work)	Does the proposal build capacity to identify and tackle poverty and exclusion? Does the proposal improve quality of life?	Unknown	This impact is not known, but if there are increased energy costs in employee homes this could have an adverse impact on the cost of living. Likewise, there could be decreased costs on travel to and from work depending on individual circumstances. A working pattern review and verification exercise has shown that more than half of employees currently work more than 60% of their time at a council building. Further, over 75% of employees are working more than half of their time at a council building. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
9	Services (demand and use)	Does the proposal or activity increase overall consumption of services or decreasing them?	Unknown	We can assume that there would not be a change to services, however there could be a small increase in IT support tickets if there are increased numbers of employees being set up to work from home for the first time. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for.	Unknown/ Further Information Required.
10	Procurement/ Supply Chain (for example purchased goods and services, contractor and sub-contractor activities, local supply chain, SMEs, community wealth building)	Does the activity/proposal increase consumption of resources? Do the activity/proposal impact local supply chains and local spend? Are there opportunities for local employment?	Unknown	We can assume that there would not be a change to procurement/supply chain however there could be small increase in equipment required to facilitate home working for some employees working from home for the first time. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
11	Land Use and Land Use Change	Does the activity/proposal alter or change the function of land and/or impact on peatland or vacant and derelict land?	No	We can assume that agile working implementation is unlikely to directly affect land use.	Neutral/ No Impact
12	Nature/ Biodiversity (protection, restoration and enhancement)	Does the activity/proposal impact on the protection, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity and nature?	No	The policy does not involve physical development, so impacts on biodiversity are assumed minimal but not assessed.	Neutral/ No Impact
13	Health and Wellbeing (physical, mental and social)	Does the proposal promote and support improved social, physical and mental wellbeing?	unknown	Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for. It is possible that some employees may experience a negative impact on wellbeing whilst adjusting to changes. Additionally, it is possible that employees with transmissible illnesses such as cold and flu who would otherwise work from home may increase the spread to council buildings. An alternative could be increased absence to recover at home. Alternatively, increased social contact at work may contribute to positive mental health and reduce the risk of social isolation.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
14	Extreme weather/ climate events (drought, flooding, heat, storms)	Does the activity/proposal impact on resilience of both South Lanarkshire Council and communities to extreme weather events (flooding, drought, wildfires, storms)?	Unknown	We can assume that there would be no impact on extreme weather/climate events. There are however a wide range of unknown variables at this time which make it very hard to make a determination on the actual impact. The existing protocols around adverse weather would apply. Employees facing issues due to floods or severe weather warnings for example. Further data would be required to fully accurately assess the actual impact after the processing of requests to change workstyle and Tailored Adjustment arrangements have been accounted for.	Unknown/ Further Information Required
15	Greenhouse Gas Emissions (increase or decrease in emissions) If assessment level is considered to be major or minor adverse (for example there’s a significant or minor increase in greenhouse gas emissions),go to next section and complete the carbon impact assessment.	Does the activity/proposal impact on greenhouse gas emissions?	Unknown	We can assume that there might be a negative impact on emissions however the impact will not be detectable until 2027. Emissions data will be available around November 2025 for the 2024 period which reflects the current work model. The 2025 data will be available in 2026 which will reflect part current model and part agile working guidance implementation. A complete year reflecting the agile working guidance will be shown in the 2027 figures which will reflect the 2026 period.	Unknown/ Further Information Required

Sustainability Impact Assessment for Capital Project Submissions

As an organisation the council has a duty to understand the carbon impact of our activities. The council has a statutory responsibility to act in a sustainable way and contribute to emission reduction targets. The council must where possible avoid increasing emissions through its daily activities, projects and policies.

This section is only required for Capital Project proposals. If the assessment does not relate to a Capital Project proposal, then move to section 8.

This IIA does not relate to a Capital Project proposal.

Step 1: Has the project been subject to a previous Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)?

EIA OR SEA
Have the details of your report been directly subject to an Environmental or Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment previously?	If yes, please add a short outline of the EIA/SEA below and continue with the following carbon impact assessment. If no, please complete the following impact assessment.

Step 2: Now complete the Carbon Impact Assessment Template below, considering whether any of the emission sources will be impacted by the proposed activity/project.

CARBON IMPACT ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
Please consider whether any of the following emissions sources will be impacted by proposed activity/project
Emission Source(s)	Is an Impact Expected? (Yes/No/Unknown)	If Yes, How Significant is the Impact Positive impact = reduction in emissions Negative impact = increase in emissions	Description (please provide an explanation of emissions, how you have taken actions to limit emissions, provide emission quantities or consumption data if known and describe how emissions will be monitored)
Existing Buildings (electricity, gas, gas oil, water for heating, cooling and cooking)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
New Buildings (domestic and non-domestic) (electricity, gas, gas oil, water for heating, cooling and cooking)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Travel (staff commuting, business travel, working from home)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Transport (fleet)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Waste (recyclates, landfill, incineration/energy from waste)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Renewables (air source/ground source heat pumps, wind, solar, water, geothermal use and generation)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Whole Lifecycle Carbon (Embodied Carbon) (material extraction, use, disposal)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Carbon offsetting/insetting (for example tree planting, peatland restoration)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Procurement/ Supply Chain (for example purchased goods and services, consider contractor, sub-contractor activities)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Land Use Changes (for example deforestation, land degradation, conversion of land for agriculture or urbanisation)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.
Other emissions (for example street lighting, refrigerants, fugitive emissions, air travel and shipping)	Choose an impact level	Choose an assessment level.

Step 3: Consider the current and future changes in our weather and climate and how they may impact on the project/activity?

FUTURE CLIMATE AND WEATHER SCENARIOS
If appropriate, have you considered the current and future changes in our weather and climate? If yes, please provide a description (including any adaptation actions taken) below:

SUMMARY (for inclusion in reports and project submission forms)
Use the box below to summarise your responses for inclusion within the ‘Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications’ section of your report/project submission

Step 4: Provide a summary of the above assessment which can be included within the ‘Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications’ section of committee reports.

What internal or external data has been considered? What does this data tell us?
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with officers and partner organisations?
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with people who may be impacted by this policy (for example citizens, community groups, or other people/groups)?

Armed Forces Covenant Duty

The Armed Forces Act 2021 now places a legal duty (the Armed Forces Covenant Duty) on specified public bodies, including the council and the IJB. This duty is to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising certain statutory functions in the areas of healthcare, education and housing. The Armed Forces Covenant Duty came into effect on 22 November 2022. The Covenant is, essentially, a promise that the armed forces community will be treated fairly and face no disadvantage when accessing public and commercial services, with special provision made in appropriate cases.

8.1 Consider what impact this proposal could have on the Armed Forces Community, is the Armed Forces Covenant Duty engaged?

What is the impact?
Negative	Neutral	Positive
Armed Forces Covenant Duty	High	Medium	Low
Housing	X
Education	X
Healthcare	x

8.2 How will the policy impact the Armed Forces Community?

Agile working guidance will have equal impact on the Armed Forces Community who are employed with South Lanarkshire Council.

8.3 What considerations have been made in reaching the above assessment?

What internal or external data has been considered? What does this data tell us?
The findings from the review and verification exercise have been considered.
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with officers and partner organisations?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, consultation and engagement has taken place through the Corporate and Resource Management Teams, Trade Unions and Elected Members.
What consultation and engagement has been undertaken with people who may be impacted by this policy (for example citizens, community groups, or other people/groups)?
In developing the Agile Working Guidance, engagement and consultation has taken place with Trade Unions as representatives of the wider workforce.

8.4 What mitigations can be put in place?

What mitigations are there against any negative impacts (if applicable)?
Not required as no negative impact identified.
With mitigations in place, what is the new overall rating of the negative impact(s)?	High

Medium

Low

Negative Impact Removed

Sign off

Any further positive or negative impacts on individuals or groups that have been considered?
n/a
Overall summary of changes made as a result of impact assessment.
None
Outline of how impact of policy will be monitored.
Through management reporting as required.
If there are any remaining negative impacts after mitigation, what is the justification for why this policy should proceed.
Not required as no negative impact identified.

Assessment Author
Version	1
Date	09/06/2025
Other Officers/Partners involved in the assessment
Lead Officer
Was this IIA reviewed by the IIA Review Panel?	N/A
Approved by	Michelle Milne
Date	23/06/2025

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone 0303 123 1015 or email equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.