Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Rob Oakley and Pippa Jackson.

The Board received a presentation from Rob Oakley and Pippa Jackson, Department of the Built Environment. Members noted the following:

•        Originally within the Community and Children’s Services Department, the Access Team transferred to the Department of the Built Environment in early 2012.

•        Located within the Guildhall complex on the 6th floor North Wing, the Team shares office space with the City’s planning officers. This arrangement works extremely well as approximately 97% of all planning applications received by the planning department are examined and commented upon by the Access Advisers.

•        The Access Team promotes inclusive design principles to ensure that buildings and external environments meet the access needs of everyone, including disabled people.

•        The Team provides reasonable and pragmatic advice on access adjustments and improvements to the City of London’s public buildings, as well as the City’s Streets and open spaces, some of which fall outside of the business district.

The work of the Team is wide-ranging and includes:

•        Making comments and recommendations on the majority of all planning applications received by the City

•        Responding to Committee reports pertaining to Street Enhancement projects

•        Acting as a Consultee to Central Government communications

•        Consultation and engagement with disabled people in the community

•        Visiting various sites in the Square Mile and beyond to provide access advice

•        Involvement in Streets & Highways issues

•        Involvement in all public transport issues including TfL consultations

•        Processing of Marriage licenses and Tables & Chairs applications.

•        The City of London Access Group is made up of volunteers, most of who have a disability and live, work or regularly visit the City.

•        Members of the Group give their time freely to provide personal input on access to the built environment. They meet bi-monthly to discuss national and local access issues as well as news, updated legislation, publications and events that affect disabled people.

The Access Group’s advice is sought by various departments on issues such as;

•        Considerate Contractor Scheme Access Award

•        Major planning applications e.g. Smithfield Quarter and the new Bank station entrance

•        Planning policies

•        Transport issues

•        St Paul’s Cathedral Access Group.

In response to a query from Members, Officers clarified that they were consulted by Transport for London regarding the design of the new route-master buses. The buses had three doors to allow easy and safe access for all users. Officers agreed to circulate a Transport for London bus consultation to Members who would like to submit a response.

Officers informed the Board that a Changing Places facility was open on the corner of Beech Street and Silk Street and noted that the facility could be better advertised across the City.