The Scrutiny Committee commissioned a report from the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services on how the Council fulfils its duty to assess the impacts on disabled people of new developments and changes of use, including for businesses and private and social sector housing.

The Environmental Health Service Manager introduced the report, noting in particular the fact that healthy life expectancy was not keeping pace with increased life expectancy which had ever increasing consequences for the buildings we use and live in. He also set out the three legislative areas that underpin this work.

OCC’s planning policies exceed national requirements and those of many other authorities.

Alex Donnely had been invited to address the committee as a witness. Alex explained that he was an Oxfordshire resident who was blind and interested in matters of public access. He said the latest data suggested that the national figure for the proportion on the population experiencing a long term health problem or disability that limited their day to day activity was now just over 20%.

He noted that there was an undisputed link between disability and poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimated that 50% of people with disability live in poverty.

Inclusive design is often seen in the context of structural changes for those with particular needs. This was a false assumption; good, accessible design was of value to everyone.

Investment in good, accessible design should not just be seen as a cost but, rather, as an investment. The policy requirement that 5% of all new dwellings should be designed as wheelchair accessible seemed a low aspiration.

Alex concluded by noting that, in the case of large public buildings, as someone who was blind, having clearly identified information points was key.

Cllr Tidball had initiated the commissioning of this report when she had, previously, been a member of the committee and thanked the authors for it. She was pleased to see that Oxford was setting an example by going over and above the strict requirements but suggested that there was probably scope for further development the Committee might wish to consider.

1.    Setting up bespoke consultation sessions with disabled members of the community and organisations to feed into the Local Plan.

2.    Contacting the DCLG asking them to exhort others to follow Oxford’s example. If 18%+ of the community experience some kind of disability, the building estate should reflect that - but it does not.

3.    OCC should consider approaching businesses and estate agents encouraging them to embrace inclusive design

In discussion the following points were raised:

·         There were opportunities to influence/intervene with the private sector but no powers to require retrospective  changes

·         OCC committed considerable resource to disabled access issues. Housing associations frequently approached OCC with requests  for adaptation.

·         Home improvement grants were available to respond to those with disabilities (annual budget of £1m , typically 100+ properties adapted per annum)

·         There may be merit in working with landlords responsible for larger numbers of properties to persuade them of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28