Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the Council’s response to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

(i)                 That the Council’s response to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) be acknowledged.

(ii)               That this report be passed to Members of the Social Inclusion Working Group for information.

Members received a report which provided an update on the Council’s response to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

Annex A of the report identified the status of the 58 properties, to which Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) 156 (‘buildings with disabled access’) applied. The schedule showed the position at the end of 2004/5, the result of investment in 2005/6 and the expected position following investment in the current financial year.  At the end of this financial year only 7 properties would not meet DDA requirements, 3 of which were subject to a review that may result in disposal.  Annex B of the report outlined the strategy for each of the properties currently not compliant.  In 2006/7 and future years expenditure was included in a budget for ‘Health & Safety and DDA requirements’ and had been set at £200k per annum.  Some premises would benefit from significant capital projects that provided new fully accessible facilities.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)                 That the Council’s response to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) be acknowledged.

(ii)               That this report be passed to Members of the Social Inclusion Working Group for information.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To inform Members of the Council’s performance relative to BVPI 156.