Purfleet LGV Equality Impact Assessment - Initial Screening Part one

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Marry

Equality impact assessment initial screening outlining the proposed relocation of Purfleet LGV by 31 March 2013 due to VOSA’s transformation programme and the cessation of testing at Purfleet GVTS. The document describes the rationale for choosing Thurrock as a replacement venue, including travel-distance expectations, demand data from Mapinfo (Jul–Sept 2012), operational suitability, and customer and staff facilities. It sets protected characteristics groups, accessibility objectives for 2012–16, and questions for consultation and evidence gathering before deciding on a full impact assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Initial Screening

Policy/Service Description and Aim

Protected Characteristics and Screening Questions

Consultation and Evidence Requirements

DSA Equality Impact Assessment- Initial Screening Part one The initial screening of a policy/service or function should be carried out to ascertain the impact of the function/policy or strategy on the protected characteristics groups; Age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. This is based on existing knowledge, data and research and will lead to a decision about whether a full impact assessment will be necessary. An impact assessment must be carried out before a decision is made to implement a policy/service or function. Our service delivery equality objective for 2012-16 is “to maintain a high level of accessibility to all testing services for those groups with protected characteristics” use this as a basis for answering all questions. Further guidance on the completion of this screening form can be found here: (hyperlink): A quick guide to Equality Impact Assessments. There is a different template to be used in cases of staff issues this can be found here: (hyperlink) | Name of policy, service or function | RELOCATION OF PURFLEET LGV | | --- | --- | | Current or Proposed | Proposed | | Branch/Person completing Initial screening | Peter Francis | Initial Screening | Please provide a brief description of the Policy, Service or Function (and its aim) which is being assessed and who will benefit or be affected. | | | --- | --- | | The relocation of Purfleet LGV by 31 March 2013 as a result of VOSA’s Transformation Programme.
On 8 December 2011 the Agency informed trainer bodies of VOSA’s decision to cease testing from their Purfleet GVTS; that it was reviewing all of its options to continue offering vocational testing in the area and that the development of customer sites will be seen as a top priority. That mail shot invited trainer bodies to register interest in becoming customer/casual sites.
VOSA have told DSA that although they are ceasing testing by Oct 2012, the Agency may continue to test from Purfleet until 31 Mar 2013.
VOSA’s transformation programme and their decision to cease their operations at their Purfleet GVTS & to conduct all of its testing in the area from selected Authorised Testing Facilities forced the Agency to consider its options in continuing to provide its services to the Purfleet area taking into account: | | | | the continued operational suitability of the location the facilities it offers
the customer base
the proximity of suitable alternative centres bearing in mind that most vocational practical test customers should not have to travel more than 50 mile travel distance criterion applicable toa practical tests centre.
DSA’s wish to take a more flexible customer orientated approach to delivering the practical driving test from customer or casual sites as well as permanent centres. | | MAPINFO for the period Jul – Sept 2012 demonstrates that whilst there is some demand coming from areas which have closer centres than Purfleet LGV , demand for Purfleet is predominately based within its immediate catchment area of the Greater London East/Essex area – APPENDIX A.
Taking the preceding into account the Agency has been seeking an alternative venue to continue to serve the Purfleet area.
A replacement for Purfleet has been identified at nearby Thurrock. The venue concerned is currently a customer site. A licence has been negotiated commencing 01 April 2013 for dedicated space for DSA staff & customers comprising; | | | | office space capable of accommodating 4 staff in keeping with throughput during 2011/12 a waiting area for DSA customers.
separate male & female staff WC facilities located within the building. The female facility makes provision for persons with special needs.
separate male & female customer WC facilities located directly outside the building. | | Access to Purfleet is on one level with push open doors wide enough for a wheelchair and the female customer WC

FAQs

What is the proposed change being assessed in this equality impact screening?

The proposed change is relocating Purfleet LGV by 31 March 2013 as a result of VOSA’s Transformation Programme.

Why was Thurrock selected as the replacement venue?

Thurrock was identified as nearby, with licence arrangements for dedicated space for DSA staff and customers, and facility comparability to Purfleet, supporting accessibility and aiming to meet practical test travel-distance expectations.

What is the purpose of the initial screening before deciding whether a full impact assessment is needed?

The screening determines the potential impact of the policy/service or function on protected characteristics groups based on existing knowledge, data, and research, to decide whether a full impact assessment is required.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Marry