Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Policy and Resources Item 3(xvi)

11 November 2004

Disability Discrimination Act Access Audits and improvements strategy

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That approval be given to:

1

the progress on the DDA Access Audits & Improvements Strategy be noted and that the current funding of £180,000 per annum from the Policy and Resources capital repairs budget continues to ensure completion of phases 1 and 3;

2

additional funding of up to £50,000 in 2004/05 to enable the current commitments in Phase 1 to be completed (subject to a further funding contribution from Recreation and Heritage);

3

that Councillor Mrs E M F Randall be invited to chair future meetings of the Disability Discrimination Working Group in place of former Councillor W H Wheeler and that issues relating to Braille signage be further investigated by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and reported back to the next meeting of the Working Group.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

To enable the implementation of the DDA legislation.

2.2

This decision supports Aims 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the Corporate Strategy by providing disabled people in Hampshire improved access to services and buildings both as customers and employees of the County Council; through increased number of disabled customers/visitors to the County Council's public buildings; approximately 10-11% of people of working age in Hampshire are covered by the DDA definition of disabled people and will be directly impacted by increased accessibility; and through improvements to physical workplaces, employment and training opportunities.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

Not applicable

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber