Agenda item

This report presents the final report from the Disabled Access to York’s Heritage  and Cultural Offer Scrutiny Review and asks Executive to approve the recommendations arising from the review.

[Cllr Julie Gunnell, the former Chair of the Task Group who carried out this review will be in attendance to present the report]

Resolved: (i)       That having considered the review findings and annexes, the Executive approve the recommendations  (i. to xv.) at paragraphs 5 to 7 of the report.

                 (ii)        That the report and its recommendations be forwarded to the Equality Advisory Group, for their information, and that the Director of City and Environmental Services be requested to report back on progress, including the Make it York recommendations, to the scrutiny committee.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Members considered the final report from the Disabled Access to York’s Heritage and Cultural Offer Scrutiny Review, set up with the aim of improving all forms of access to York’s heritage and cultural offer.

Cllr Barnes as a member of the former Task Group and Cllr Taylor as Chair of the Learning & Culture Policy & Scrutiny Committee presented the report, highlighting information gathered and consultation and meetings undertaken with user groups in respect of the review. Members thanked the Task Group members for their work and, in particular, expressed thanks to the Scrutiny Officers for their support of the review. Cllr Barnes confirmed that, whilst the Council had no powers to make external providers improve their access arrangements, consideration had been given as how best to build peer pressure amongst York’s providers. He hoped that the recommendations would be included in Make it York’s service level agreement, with disabled access to the city being a top priority.

Members referred to the large area covered by the review, acknowledging that a number of the recommendations were for Make it York, and highlighting the issue of future monitoring arrangements.

Following discussion it was 

Resolved: (i)       That having considered the review findings and annexes, the Executive approve the recommendations  (i. to xv.) at paragraphs 5 to 7 of the report.

                 (ii)        That the report and its recommendations be forwarded to the Equality Advisory Group, for their information, and that the Director of City and Environmental Services be requested to report back on progress, including the Make it York recommendations, to the scrutiny committee. ^1.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.