49 27 February 2017
02 February 2017
File: (17/138)
Report no: PRC2017/1/52
Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027
Purpose of Report
1. The purpose of this report is to:
a. Report back on the results of the engagement Forum held with the disability community to get feedback on the draft Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027.
b. Ask the Committee to approve the changes that have been made as a result of this engagement.
c. Ask the Committee to agree to the establishment of an AIP Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Advisory Group and the processes related to that.
d. Ask the Committee to recommend to Council that the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027 be adopted.
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Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee recommend that Council: (i) approve the changes made to the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027 as a result of the engagement Forum held with the disability community; (ii) agree to the establishment of an Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan (AIP) Advisory Group of up to five members as a sub-committee of Council reporting to the Community Services Committee; (iii) agree that the AIP Advisory Group will meet quarterly with the first meeting being 1 July 2017; (iv) agree to the payment of an honorarium for members of $60 per meeting to cover costs of attending the meeting; (v) direct officers to work with the AIP to assist them to develop a Terms of Reference for the group and a work programme including formal induction on the role of Council and its fiscal responsibilities; (vi) agree to recommend to Council that it adopt the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027; and (vii) agree to recommend to Council that the AIP Advisory Group report to the Community Services Committee |
Background
2. On 19 May 2016, a disability forum was held at The Dowse Art Museum and a number of people from the disability community and sector attended. A number of issues were raised at the forum including:
a. Accessibility in terms of public transport, outdoor spaces, libraries, pools, museums and the ability to move around the city easily
b. Representation
c. Communication
d. Employment
3. As a result of the Forum, officers were asked to work with the disability community to develop a plan to address the issues raised. A draft Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan (AIP) was developed and Council asked that officers take this draft to the disability community for further consultation.
Discussion
4. The disability community held a further Forum on 9 February 2017 to provide feedback on the draft AIP and the attached revised AIP is a result of that feedback.
5. Also discussed at the Forum was:
a. The establishment of an interim AIP Advisory Group, its membership, its meeting schedule, payment of those members for their contribution and which Council Committee the Advisory Group would report its findings and recommendations to
b. The development of an interim Terms of Reference for the AIP Advisory Group for approval by the wider disability community
c. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to be used to measure progress against the Plans goals
6. There were some issues and concerns about the whether the Plan should cover Hutt Valley or just Lower Hutt. People were divided on this. There was a very strong view from some that the initial Forum in May 2016 agreed that the AIP Advisory Group should be Hutt Valley wide. On the other hand others felt that it would be difficult for the group to be giving advice to Both Upper Hutt and Hutt City Council if there was no mandate for this from UHCC. Another aspect of this is that people from Upper Hutt travel to and work in Lower Hutt so it could be appropriate to have someone from Upper Hutt on the Advisory Group if they were suitably qualified.
7. The Forum recommended that:
· That Mayor Wallace meets with Mayor Guppy to discuss the possibility of the group being a Hutt Valley wide one
· That relevant UHCC officers are invited to Advisory Group meetings on a regular basis
· That relevant Upper Hutt service providers are invited to attend Advisory Group meetings on a regular basis
8. Another issue raised was how the interaction with Council officers would be managed. The Forum recommended that relevant officers are introduced to the Advisory Group once it is established to advise the group on their areas of responsibility and establish a process for involving the Advisory Group in decision making processes where decisions will have a direct impact on the disability community. Specific areas include:
· Strategy and Planning
· Community Partnerships
· Leisure Active
· City Development
· Libraries
· Museums
· Parks and Gardens
· Environmental Policy
· Urban Design
· Road and Traffic
· Environmental Consents
· City Promotions (includes web site development)
9. The Forum also discussed the issue of an honorarium payment to members of the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan Advisory Group. The general view was that the costs of attending meetings of the Advisory Group should be covered by an honorarium but that this should not be viewed as a payment for services. The notes from the Forum are attached as Appendix 3.
10. The recommended KPIs from the Forum have been included in the Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027 is attached as Appendix 1. The Terms of Reference for the development of the Plan are attached as Appendix 2.
Options
11. There are no other options for consideration.
Consultation
12. The disability community and sector has had full involvement in the development of the draft terms of reference and draft Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027.
13. Officers were asked for feedback on the draft Terms of Reference and Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027. Some concern has been expressed about:
a. the practicality of achieving the changes in the physical environment of the city and Council owned assets and facilities;
b. The cost of achieving the changes in the physical environment of the city and Council owned assets and facilities; and
c. Council’s ability to influence the way in which official voting information is presented as this is done by the Electoral Commission.
Legal Considerations
14. There are legal considerations concerning the establishment an Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan sub-committee. These can be addressed internally.
Financial Considerations
15. The disability community’s expectation is that people appointed to such a committee will be paid an honorarium for each meeting and the reasonable costs of attending the meeting e.g. transport costs.
16. After considering the approach of other Councils, officers are recommending that each Advisory Group member be paid a $60 fee for attending meetings. This will be four (quarterly) meetings of the AIP and attendance at at least two Community Services Committee meetings. This would be a total cost of approximately $2000 per annum. Officers would provide secretariat services for the Advisory Group from within existing budgets.
17. Members of the Advisory will receive formal induction on the role of Council and its fiscal responsibilities.
Other Considerations
18. In making this recommendation, officers have given careful consideration to the purpose of local government in section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002. Officers believe that this recommendation falls within the purpose of the local government in that it ensures that Council is meeting the current and future needs of the disability community within the city. It does this in a way that is cost-effective because it helps ensure that all residents are given the opportunity to make a full contribution to the future of the city.
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No. |
Title |
Page |
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1View |
HUTT CITY’S ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVENESS PLAN 2017-2027 |
54 |
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2View |
Terms of Reference for Hutt City Council’s Accessibility and Inclusiveness Plan 2017-2027 |
60 |
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3View |
Notes from the AIP Forum 9 February 2016 |
64 |
Author: Wendy Moore
Divisional Manager, Strategy and Planning
Approved By: Kim Kelly
General Manager, Strategic Services