Agenda item - Development of an Accessible City Strategy

Report of the Executive Director Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities (Copy Attached).

RESOLVED:

That the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee:

1. Noted the report and agrees to receive further update reports.

2. Recommended to Full Council that it agrees that the Council should sign the Disability Impact Pledge.

That Full Council:

1. Agreed that the Council should sign the Disability Impact Pledge.

27.1 Emma McDermott introduced the report starting on page 101 of the Agenda.

27.2 Councillor Bagaeen was informed that:

·       The use of utilities by the public realm is governed by specific legislation and practise, and the work completed with the accessibility strategy will help to use the Council’s powers more effectively, without superseding the powers already there.

·       The annual stakeholder event will come after the strategy, which will be developed by working with the disability panel and the wider reference group. This will then be presented to Committee in March 2023.

27.3 Councillor Rainey was informed that the Equalities teams are having conversations with the Beach Access Team and other teams across the EEC directorate to ensure they know how the principles in the strategy will affect their work going forward.

27.4 Councillor Grimshaw was informed that Emma McDermott would have a conversation with HASC regarding a lack of respite and feed back to Councillor Grimshaw.

27.5 Councillor Evans raised the importance of taking action against cyclists on pavements for the disabled community.

27.6 Councillor Robins raised that it is important to have a main point of contact for accessibility on the seafront and in parks such as installing paths, so they can be enjoyed by everyone.

27.7 Councillor Bagaeen recommended that the Accessible City Strategy should go to the ETS Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee:

1. notes the report and agrees to receive further update reports.

2. recommends to Full Council that it agrees that the Council should sign the Disability Impact Pledge.

That Full Council:

3. Agrees that the Council should sign the Disability Impact Pledge.