Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny (Service Delivery) Panel.

Noted the findings of a study by the Panel on disability access across the District and agreed that representations be made to Cambridgeshire County Council that they ensure the enforcement of blue badge parking in any new arrangements for decriminalised parking. Agreed that the Council continues to undertake enforcement of parking in disabled bays in the car parks it manages and that discussions be initiated on the potential for comprehensive joint advocacy/advice services and the other opportunities for joint working between these organisations supporting people with disabilities.

(Councillor S J Criswell, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) was in attendance and spoke on this item)

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a study by the Panel on disability access across the District.

The Cabinet were informed that the study reviewed access for those with disabilities to premises, facilities and other sites in the District, excluding those provided by the District Council.

In so doing, the Panel collected a wide range of evidence and consulted interested parties including Cambridgeshire County Council, the Papworth Trust, Hunts Forum of Voluntary organisations, Town and Parish Councils.  Executive Councillors were advised that the study had revealed the need to promote awareness of and bring together the organisations able to offer advocacy/advice services to those with disabilities.  Having considered the Panel’s recommendations and in discussing issues relating to the disabled parking bays and blue badge parking, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted;

  (b)  that representations be made to Cambridgeshire County Council to ensure that the enforcement of blue badge parking in any new arrangements for decriminalised parking be recognised;

  (c)  that the Council continues to undertake enforcement of parking in disabled bays in the car parks it manages; and

  (d)  that Council organises discussions on the potential for comprehensive joint advocacy/advice services and the other opportunities for joint working between these organisations supporting people with disabilities.

To consider the Panel’s concluding report on the study on Disability Access.

20 Minutes.

Pursuant to Minute No. 19, the Panel considered the final report on the study into Disability Access across the District (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book). Members were reminded that a Working Group had been established to review the findings of the study and to compile the Panel’s final report. Having discussed the timescale within which a review of the outcome of the study should be conducted, and in nominating the Chairman to attend the relevant Cabinet meeting to present the Panel’s report, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that subject to minor textual amendments, the Panel’s report on Disability Access be approved for submission to the Cabinet; and

(b)  that a further report reviewing the outcome of the study be submitted to the Panel in six months time.