Agenda item

This report presents the agreed remit for this review together with information gathered in support of the objectives.

Members considered a report which presented the agreed remit for this review, together with information gathered in support of the objectives.

(i)           Members were asked to consider what additional information was required to support the review.

Members suggested that the following additional information should be included within the report:

·        Reference to the mechanisms that would be in place to evaluate the outcome of the review.

·        Ways of promoting the sharing of good practice, for example by highlighting those organisations that were providing good access to their facilities or through nominated pioneers.

·        Raising awareness of the training offered by English Heritage on how to make properties more accessible.   

·        A recommendation that the information provided by organisations should be presented in a more standardised format.

·        A recommendation that access to venues and attractions is considered as part of the city’s tourism strategy and that Visit York holds information on disabled access to venues and attractions in the area. 

·        Consideration as to whether the Council’s service level agreements with organisations such as York Museums Trust and the Theatre Royal should require a Community Impact Assessment.

·        Further information on the Cinema Exhibitors Association card (CEA), including statistics on its use and feedback from consultees as to whether they were aware of the card.

·        Additional information in respect of paragraph 42, including clarification as to whether these arrangements were in place in cinemas in York.  It was also important that this provision was offered at a variety of times to give customer choice.

·        Referring to the provision that was in place in respect of live music, it was suggested that contact be made with York Pride, as they held live music events.

·        Additional information as to which venues had already been inspected by DisabledGo and which venues were due to be inspected this year.

·        Information as to the position of other York attractions on the  Vitalise list of the best and worst UK tourist attractions for wheelchair access to disabled visitors.  It would also be useful to identify arrangements that could be put in place to improve an attraction’s position on the list.

·        Consideration of the information provided on the CHANGE website.

·        Further information about the Accessible York Card.

(ii)          Consideration was given to the arrangements for the proposed consultation sessions.  The following actions were agreed.

·        Prior to the consultation events with provider groups, a request would be made for an item about the review to be included on the agenda for a meeting of Visit York.

·        The consultation events would be held at West Offices.

·        The consultation event with users would be held on 15 October 2014 at 6.00pm. (Following the meeting it was agreed that the event would be held on 21 October 2014, as the preferred venue was not available on the 15 October) 

·        Further consideration would be given to a key note speaker for the consultation with provider groups.  As well as presenting the views identified at the consultation with users, questions could include identifying barriers to improving access, their views on presenting information in a more standardised format and how the sharing of good practice could be facilitated.

Members noted the work that was taking place to make consultees aware of the review, including arranging for an article to be included in the CVS newsletter and emailing the Equality Advisory Group representatives.

(iii)        Members were asked to agree any additional consultees other than those list in paragraphs 53-61 of the report.  It was agreed that the following organisations should also be included as consultees:

·        Welcoming City Task Group

·        The Co-ordinator of the Human Rights City group

·        Jorvik Deaf Connection

·        York St John’s University (if a Disability Group had been established at the university)

·        Applefields School

·        Youth Council

·        The Virtual Head

Resolved:  (a)     That the additional information requested in

                             paragraph (i) be obtained.

                   (b)     That the arrangements for the consultation

                             session be as detailed in paragraph (ii).

                   (c)     That the groups detailed in paragraph (iii) be

                             added to the list of consultees.

Reason:     To progress the review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.