Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Good Relations Action Plan 2025 - 2030
Contents
2. The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
3. Equality Scheme Commitments
4. What do we mean by Good Relations?
5. The Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 - Development and Public Consultation
6. Reviewing the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030
Annex A: Good Relations Action Plan 2025 - 2030
Accessibility Statement
Any requests to receive this document in an alternative language or format should be sent to equality@niassembly.gov.uk
1. Introduction
1.1 This document sets out the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission's ("the Assembly Commission") commitment to Good Relations and provides the Good Relations Action Plan for the 2025 to 2030 period.
1.2 The Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 contains a number of actions about how the Assembly Commission will meet its obligations under Section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act, 1998 as described in the Assembly Commission's Equality Scheme. The Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 also supports and contributes to the Assembly Commission's Corporate Strategy 2023- 2028.
1.3 A public consultation exercise was undertaken from 11 November 2024 to 17 February 2025. All consultee responses were analysed and a 'Public Consultation Outcomes Report' as produced in March 2025 which detailed the Assembly Commission's response to consultee comments.
1.4 The Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 was approved by the Assembly Commission's Senior Management Team (SMT) in May 2025, and by the Assembly Commission in June 2025.
2. The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
2.1 The Assembly Commission is the corporate body of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It consists of a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from each of the five main parties, plus the Speaker of the House who acts as Chairperson, and its role is to oversee the organisation and to provide services, structures and property in order for the Assembly to function.
2.2 The Northern Ireland Assembly employs staff to support its work. The organisation consists of five directorates; Corporate Services, Legal, Governance and Research Services, Parliamentary Services and a Corporate Support Unit.
3. Equality Scheme Commitments
3.1 Under Section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Assembly Commission has a statutory duty to 'have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group'.
3.2 The Assembly Commission's Equality Scheme is both a statement of its arrangements for fulfilling the Section 75 statutory duties and a plan for their implementation.
3.3 This Good Relations Action Plan 2025-30 sets out how the Assembly Commission proposes to fulfil the Good Relations duty and its Equality Scheme commitments in relation to its functions.
4. What do we mean by Good Relations?
4.1 Section 75 of the 1998 Act requires all public authorities designated for the purposes of the Act, including the Assembly Commission, to comply with two statutory duties. The first duty requires public authorities in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between the nine 'equality categories' (see section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act).
4.2 The second duty, requires that public authorities in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different: -
- religious belief;
- political opinion; or
- racial group.
4.3 Whilst Section 75 of the 1998 Act does not define 'good relations', on 10 December 2009, the Assembly Commission approved it's Good Relations commitment and stated:
"The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is committed to the promotion of good relations between persons of differing religious belief, political opinion or racial group and is committed to challenging sectarianism and racism." (see Assembly Commission Minutes of Proceedings 10 December 2009). This commitment was made in the context of the Assembly Commission further stating that it will aim to ensure that the entire community can have full and fair access to, and participate in, the operations of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
5. The Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 - Development and Public Consultation
5.1 In phase one of developing the draft Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030, desk top research was undertaken by the Assembly Commission's Equality Unit. Heads of Business from across the Assembly Commission's Directorates, who were responsible for the delivery of the Good Relations Action Plan 2022-2025, were also asked to complete a number of surveys in relation to the 2022-2025 action plan's operation, implementation and impact. Further questions were asked in relation to the identification of new sources of equality and good relations data. This data was analysed and informed development of the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030.
5.2 Phase two of the consultation involved seeking internal feedback from staff via the staff Trade Union, NIPSA, and as part of this phase, a survey was also issued to members of The Executive Office (TEO) sponsored Race Equality sub-group, who are a representative panel for minority ethnic communities that supports implementation of the TEO Racial Equality Strategy. All responses were analysed and helped to further inform the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030.
5.3 Phase 3 was a 12-week public consultation on the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 which was undertaken from 11 November 2024 to 17 February 2025. The public consultation used a range of methods including face to face meetings, emails to consultees, press advertisements, a web-based survey, emails to staff and Twitter and Facebook posts.
5.4 All consultee responses were analysed and a 'Public Consultation Outcomes Report' was produced in March 2025 which also detailed the Assembly Commission's response to consultee comments. As noted above, the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 was approved by the Assembly Commission's SMT in April 2025, and by the Assembly Commission in June 2025.
6. Reviewing the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030
6.1 Progress on the implementation of the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 will be monitored on a six-monthly basis and reported to SMT. Six-monthly monitoring progress updates will be published on the Assembly website. As the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 is a 'living' document, opportunities to amend the plan, should this be necessary, will be available during each six-monthly monitoring cycle.
6.2 Each year progress made on the implementation of the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 will be included in the Assembly Commission's Annual Equality Progress Report, which will be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and published on the Assembly website.
6.3 The actions contained within the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030 align with the Corporate Strategy and Corporate Plan. This ensures that equality and good relations continue to be addressed at a strategic level and are integrated throughout the organisation.
The Assembly Commission wish to thank everyone who helped in the development of the Good Relations Action Plan 2025-2030.
Annex A - Good Relations Action Plan 2025 - 2030
Aim 1: Staff Training - Our staff will be a motivated, resilient and expert team
Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 High Level Objective: Promote a learning environment to support staff in their careers.
Action 1 - We will deliver training to all staff to ensure they understand requirements relating to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and how it relates to their role
Aims and Objectives
We will ensure all staff receive mandatory training on Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Measurable Outputs
Staff understand requirements related to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and how it relates to their role.
Timescale
Every 3 years.
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit and Learning and Development.
Action 2 - Training and support is provided to policy authors in relation to the requirements of equality and good relations policy screening
Aims and Objectives 1
Support and advice are provided by the Equality and Good Relations Unit to policy authors on an ongoing basis, as requested.
Measurable Outputs
We will ensure Assembly Commission policies are screened as per the Assembly Commission's Equality Scheme and Equality Commission guidance.
Timescale
Over the lifetime of the action plan.
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit and Learning and Development.
Aims and Objectives 2
Guidance and information on policy screening for staff is provided on the Assembly Commission's intranet.
Measurable Outputs
Guidance and information is available on the Assembly Commission's intranet.
Timescale
Over the lifetime of the action plan.
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit and Learning and Development.
Aims and Objectives 3
Quarterly Screening Reports are published on the Assembly website.
Measurable Outputs
Screening reports are collected and published each quarter on the Assembly website.
Timescale
Over the lifetime of the action plan.
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit and Learning and Development.
Action 3 - Welcome training is provided to the Visitor Experience Team
Aims and Objectives
We will ensure the Visitor Experience Team receives 'World Host' training.
Measurable Outputs
The Visitor Experience Team will be trained in 'World Host' training which relates to the delivery of excellent customer service.
Timescale
World Host training to be completed by the Visitor Experience Team in their first year of employment.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Aim 2: Participation, dialogue and engagement -The public will understand and value the role of the Assembly and be engaged in its work
Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 High Level Objectives:
- Develop and implement a public engagement strategy
- Create more opportunities to engage with Committees
Action 4 - Establish a minority ethnic stakeholder group
Aims and Objectives 1
Work with partners to establish an ethnic minority stakeholder group.
Measurable Outputs
Ethnic Minority Stakeholder Group Formed.
Timescale
2026.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Aims and Objectives 2
Provide support and resources to the stakeholder group.
Measurable Outputs
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the stakeholder group.
Timescale
2026.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Action 5 - Hold a Minority Ethnic Parliament as part of a series of citizen parliaments
Aims and Objectives 1
To ensure those who identify as being part of an Ethnic Minority Community have an opportunity to have their voices heard.
Measurable Outputs
Positive feedback from attendees.
Timescale
2026.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Aims and Objectives 2
Provide support and resources to the Minority Ethnic Parliament.
Measurable Outputs
Seek representation from different ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders and socio-economic status.
Timescale
2026.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Action 6 - Create Information Packs for minority ethnic residents, illustrating how the Assembly and Committees work to encourage engagement
Aims and Objectives
To create an Information Pack for minority ethnic residents, illustrating how the Assembly and Assembly Committees work and how to engage.
Measurable Outputs
An information pack will be co-designed with minority ethnic groups to increase understanding of the work of the Assembly and Assembly Committees and how to participate.
Timescale
2029. To be carried out in consultation with Minority Ethnic Stakeholder group.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Action 7 - Host events in support of Good Relations
Aims and Objectives
We will host events to help build relationships with communities and create effective opportunities for engagement.
Measurable Outputs
Events will be held on an annual basis.
Timescale
Ongoing over the lifetime of the action plan.
Lead Business Area
Public Engagement.
Aim 3: Accessibility and Communication - The public will understand and value the role of the Assembly and be engaged in its work
Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 High Level Objectives:
- Make the work of the Assembly more accessible
- Develop and implement a strategy for communicating the impact of the Assembly
Action 8 - Continually improve accessibility of our website and digital offerings
Aims and Objectives 1
Establish, with relevant Business areas, which pages on the Assembly website should be made accessible in various languages. E.g. 'How to visit Parliament Buildings', 'How to book a tour', 'How to keep up with Assembly proceedings' etc.
Measurable Outputs
Agree a priority list of website pages with relevant business areas and produce a set of recommendations based on findings, capability and capacity.
Timescale
January 2026.
Lead Business Area
Communications Office with relevant business areas.
Aims and Objectives 2
Direct website users to how they can use automatic text translation tools with the caveat that the Assembly Commission cannot guarantee the accuracy of translation.
Measurable Outputs
Investigate provision of text translation in non-English as part of the ongoing website redevelopment project and produce a report of findings and recommendations.
Timescale
Scoping requirement 2025, possible delivery dependent on capability offering, January 2027.
Lead Business Area
Communications Office with relevant business areas.
Action 9 - Monitor feedback from the visitor experience in Parliament Buildings with a focus on customer service, public facilities and accessibility to Assembly business
Aims and Objectives
The Visitor Survey is mainstreamed across services which interface with the public in order to collect data to inform access and service provision.
Measurable Outputs
A Visitor Survey to be developed and platformed on a mobile device(s) for completion by visitors to Parliament Buildings.
Timescale
2025-2026.
Lead Business Area
RaISe has responsibility for the analysis of survey responses.
Public Engagement forward any issues raised to relevant business area.
Action 10 - Develop and implement a strategy for communicating the impact of the Assembly to Northern Ireland society promoting the advantages of community harmony delivered by a functioning representative Assembly
Aims and Objectives
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission imagery will strive to reflect different ethnic identities. Legislation or committee hearings with particular focus on community relations will be highlighted in social media and promoted to relevant communities.
Measurable Outputs
Outputs will be audited to reflect aims and objectives.
Timescale
Over the lifetime of the action plan.
Lead Business Area
Communications Office.
Aim 4: Recruitment and workforce monitoring - Our systems and facilities will be modern, secure and efficient
Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 High Level Objective: Deliver the corporate systems review project
Action 11 - We will continue to review and analyse applicant and employee Equality Monitoring data in relation to the Northern Ireland economically active population
Aims and Objectives
We will monitor recently added sub categories in our recruitment monitoring against economically active data, to understand the breakdown of job applicants and Assembly Commission staff by community background, ethnic group and country of birth.
Measurable Output 1
In May of each year, report on monitoring data against 2021 Census data.
Timescale
May each year.
Lead Business Area
HR Office.
Measurable Output 2
We will consider actions to address under representations identified.
Timescale
Over the lifetime of the plan.
Lead Business Area
HR Office.
Measurable Output 3
Three yearly Article 55 review completed.
Timescale
Every 3 years.
Lead Business Area
HR Office.
Monitoring and Reporting
Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 High Level Objective: Ensure decisions are taken at the appropriate level
Action 12 - Report on progress to the Senior Management Team (SMT) every six months and the Assembly Commission every year
Aims and Objectives 1
Ensure that we deliver on the action plan targets.
Measurable Outputs
Following consultation with business areas, six-monthly updates are prepared for SMT and annual updates for the Assembly Commission.
Timescale
Every six months (June and December each year).
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit.
Aims and Objectives 2
Staff and the public are informed of progress.
Measurable Outputs
Approved six-monthly updates are published on the Assembly website.
Timescale
Every six months (June and December each year).
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit.
Action 13 - A progress report is submitted yearly to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) via the Annual Equality Progress Report
Aims and Objectives
To inform the ECNI of action plan delivery and progress.
Measurable Outputs
An annual equality progress report is prepared and submitted to the ECNI.
Timescale
Annually (submission to the ECNI by 31 August each year).
Lead Business Area
Equality Unit.
