Issue - meetings

Scrutiny Committee - Task and Finish Group: Review of Disability Access within Trafford - Response to Interim Report

Meeting: 25/07/2022 - Executive (Item 17)

17 Scrutiny Committee - Task and Finish Group: Review of Disability Access within Trafford - Response to Interim Report pdf icon PDF 321 KB

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration.

Minutes:

As Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Acton made some preliminary remarks in connection with the report of the Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration which set out the Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group’s interim review report on Disability Access within Trafford. He noted that, whilst the progress of the review had been slower than envisaged, he welcomed the Executive‘s response, agreeing that implementation of the recommendations would constitute a significant step forwards. He expressed his thanks to the review group, and in particular to its Chair.

 

In presenting the response, the Executive Member acknowledged delays in reaching the current point, but recognised the ambition of the Group’s report, and that there remained work to be done on a broader front. She had met with Councillors Acton and Winstanley, and would keep them informed of progress. In conclusion, she noted, with agreement from the Executive, that the text of the response report be slightly amended, by the deletion of the word “applications” at the conclusion of the first bullet point in paragraph 2.4; this would allow the benefits of training to be realised across the planning system, and not solely in the determination of planning applications.

 

          RESOLVED -

 

(1)      That the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee Task & Finish Group be noted.

 

(2)      That in response to the recommendations of the Task & Finish Group, the Corporate Director, Place be directed to:

 

a. Ensure the Planning service makes the most of opportunities to improve accessibility within planning applications for new developments – via staff training, early discussion with developers and proactive consideration by Highway Officers to ensure the provision of an accessible environment.

b. Ensure that the Trafford Design Guide & Design Code fully reflects accessibility principles.

c. Retain a policy on Adaptable & Accessible Housing within the Local Plan when it is presented to the Executive to approve its final formal consultation.