This snapshot, taken on
06/06/2011
, shows web content acquired for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search may not work in archived websites and contact details are likely to be out of date.
 
 
The UK Government Web Archive does not use cookies but some may be left in your browser from archived websites.

Committee Meetings

Main Committee Meeting: 24 June 2009

Chair:
Neil Betteridge

Members present:
Ann Bates
Will Bee
Jean Dunlop
Julian Fiorentini
Grahame Lawson
Marilyn Lister
Wendy Morrell
Alan Norton
Katherine Phipps
Dai Powell
Helen Smith
Carol Thomas
Richard E West

Officials in attendance:
Miranda Carter - DfT
Sharon Maddix - DfT
Bill Brash - Transport Division, Scottish Government
Judith Ballantine - Mobility & Access Committee for Scotland
Joanne Ward - Office of Disability Issues, DWP
Rowan Jade - Equality 2025
Saskia Fraser - PA Rowan Jade
Sheryll Holley - STTR
Jimi Adeleye - DPTAC Secretariat
Caroline Britt - DPTAC Secretariat

Apologies:
Keith Richards - DPTAC Member
David Finnegan - DPTAC Member
Roger Hewitt - DPTAC Member
Tomi Jones - DPTAC Member
Pravin Amin - DPTAC Member
Nicola McLeish - DPTAC Member
Gavin Hamilton - Department for Regional Government, Northern Ireland
Colin Eaketts - Welsh Assembly Government

Agenda item 1: Welcome, Introductions and Apologies

The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming those attending especially guests, in particular Rowan Jade, Chair of Equality 2025.

The Chair referred to this being a time of change for DPTAC, with many Members going at the end of June and the challenge the loss of this experience will bring.

Apologies were given as shown.

Action points from this meeting are shown in the Annex below.

Agenda item 2 - Minutes of Main Committee 4 - Action points from 26 March 2009 Meeting

The Minutes of the last meeting were approved and agreed as a true record. Agreement was given for them to be published on the DPTAC website.

Agenda item 3 - Matters Arising

The Chair of the Personal Mobility and Local Authority Working Group attended a DfT Seminar last week which included a presentation by the Executive Director of the National Federation of Shopmobility. Not only was this a very useful presentation, links to this organisation are likely to be of considerable value to DPTAC in the future.

Agenda item 4 - Report from DPTAC Chair, and Working Group Chairs

The Chair reported that he had had a meeting with the Department for Transport Director General - City and Regional Networks earlier that day. He was able to report that the announcement of new members would be made on 1 July 2009. Timing of the announcement of the new Chair was still not known, but that is was likely to be after 1 July. The new Chair would take up appointment with effect from 1 September 2009.

The Chair also mentioned some work that CfIT were beginning - developing transport needs for the ageing population. It was important that DPTAC made a strong contribution to this work.

It was noted that the meeting with TfL to discuss the London Cycle Scheme, originally scheduled for 23 June, had now been delayed until August - TfL had yet to award final contracts for this work, so believed that it would take some time yet before much more information would be available.

The Chair of the Personal Mobility and Local Authority Working Group reported back on his attendance at a meeting in Lyon to discuss Shared Surfaces. He was able to report that DPTAC were not a lone voice in their concerns about the issue, that many other European countries were encountering the same problems, especially around the issue of dropped kerbs. There was agreement that countries should work together to try and come up with some suitable solutions. It was also noted that new guidance from Manchester City Council on streetscape, stated that kerbs must be retained.

The Chair of the Education and Training Working Group confirmed that this Group had had their last working group meeting and continuing tasks would be mainstreamed across the work of the remaining Working Groups. The Committee ratified this decision - with the understanding that there would be a lead member to coordinate this work.

The Chair of the Rail Working Group led a discussion about a potential work stream within the Rail group - targeted compliance. The aim was to still achieve full accessibility for rail vehicles by 2020, but that where there was doubt about being able to achieve this by the due date, discussions were now taking place that would allow some rail vehicles to achieve some crucial accessibility by 2010, but not necessarily full accessibility. The discussion covered concerns over the exact nature of DPTAC's role, and the outcome was that a careful line would be needed where this policy had the potential to dilute the level of accessibility, especially so far ahead of the 2020 date. It was agreed that further discussion and presentation by the Rail civil servants was needed at the next meeting.

The Chair of the Maritime Working Group reported that the Maritime Guidance was close to completion and publication was expected in August. All Members expressed their thanks and appreciation for the hard work and determination taken by the Chair in producing this Guidance.

The Chair of the Olympic Working Group reported that a successor at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) was about to be announced.

Agenda item 5 - Minutes from Coordination and Overview Workshop 14 May 2009 and 24 June 2009

There were no comments on the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May.

An important issue was the future make up of standing working groups. The proposed COG meeting scheduled for 5 August would be kept 'pencilled in' to consider where further work in the area could be taken forward.

Agenda item 6 - Progress Report on 2008-09 Work Programme and ideas for 2009-10 Programme

The work programme needed updating. The Secretariat were working on this and would provide an update for the next Main Committee meeting.

Agenda item 7 - DfT Update Paper

DfT Divisional Manager reported that AEU mainstreaming was now in place and that there had been good reports back from divisions about improved information on accessibility. Members expressed some concerns about DPTAC's strong relationships within the department being maintained.

Blue Badge work continued with resources and project plans in place to ensure delivery.

Members expressed disappointment that Kite Marking, although a complex issue, was not going to be taken forward, that this was something DPTAC had tried to progress for some time. It was agreed that a 'way forward' on this issue would be provided for consideration by the next Chair and should be included as an agenda item for the next COG meeting.

Agenda item 8 - Update from Devolved Administrations

Several issues were discussed:

  • The Chair raised concern about the lack of contact with the Welsh Assembly Government and asked that the Secretariat investigate.
  • With the current restructuring of the administration in Ireland DPTAC would need to keep an eye on what might happen with Transport.
  • Scotland confirmed that a report on the review of the Scottish concessionary fares scheme was recently published and that the Scottish Government is about to carry out research on non-use of buses and coaches.
  • Thanks were recorded for the help and cooperation received by DPTAC from Transport Scotland.

Agenda item 9 - Presentation/Discussion Integrated Equalities Scheme

DfT Blue Badge and Equalities Unit provided a paper outlining the proposal for a Single Equality Scheme with a planned publication date of December 2009.

They would be running a series of events and regional workshops over the next few months, with a wider stakeholder event probably in September. Additionally, the Departments Agencies will be holding their own events, focusing particularly on their areas.

The Department is keen to involve DPTAC and would like to have a dedicated workshop with some of the Members to delve deeper into the issues, particularly:

  • Priorities of a Single Equality Scheme / Outcomes.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of a single scheme.
  • Risks / Ensuring delivery.
  • Dealing with Stakeholders - who should the Department be speaking to.
  • How best to engage with DPTAC.

Members were asked if they wished to consider attending the Workshops and Equality Impact Assessment Training. Members welcomed the offer of attendance and generally welcomed the work being done in this area, but considered a close eye would need to be maintained on it, in order that disability issues were not diluted.

Agenda item 10 - List of Consultations 2008-09

A question was raised on whether Members had seen a consultation from the Home Office 'Licensing of Wheel Clamps', closing date of 23 July, as Members were unaware of it the Secretariat would investigate.

Agenda item 11 - DPTAC Meeting Calendar

The calendar may need revising following decisions about new working groups, also whether it reverts back to one meeting a day. Once he new groups were in place, the new Chair would consider where 'tasks groups' might be needed to consider developments in areas such as the Olympic.

Agenda item 12 - Mobility Roadshow

The general consensus was the Roadshow did have value, and certainly the combined stand with all DfT's Agencies was a very definite plus point, maybe it wasn't the right place for DPTAC.

Members were also not convinced of the value of handy hint leaflets and so, apart from the Olympic handy hint, the rest will be put on the back burner for the time being.

Agenda item 13 - Items for Next Agenda

Options for next Main Committee include:

  • Targeted Compliance.
  • Taxi Consultation, feedback.
  • Chief Stats Officer on potential gaps.

Farewell to Members

Following the Main Committee Meeting, there was a small farewell party to the Chair and all other Members who would be leaving DPTAC at the end of June. The Chair thanked all for their hard work and dedication to DPTAC and wished all the very best for the future. In Turn the Head of BBEU thanked the Chair for his dedication ad commitment to DPTAC over the years.

Annex: Action Points

Agenda Item 2 - Minutes

Action point 1:
Secretariat to place Minutes of last Main Committee on DPTAC Website.

Agenda Item 4 - Report from DPTAC Chair, and Working Group Chairs

Action point 2:
Deputy Chair to assume lead on coordinating on-going Education and Training issues.

Action point 3:
To invite DfT Rail invite to give a presentation to Main Committee (Action Rail WGC and Secretariat).

Agenda Item 5 - Minutes from 14 May Coordination and Overview Workshop

Action point 4:
Deputy Chair and Secretariat to meet 3 July to consider proposals for future Working Group Membership - and consider if 5 August COG is required.

Agenda Item 6 - Progress Report on 2008-09 Work Programme and ideas for 2009-10 Programme

Action point 5:
Secretariat to provide an update for the next Main Committee meeting.

Agenda Item 7 - DfT Update Paper

Action point 6:
Secretariat to draft a 'way forward' on kite marking / reference wheelchairs for consideration by the next Chair.

Action point 7:
Secretariat to add this to the draft agenda for 9 September COG.

Agenda Item 8 - Update from Devolved Administrations

Action point 8:
Secretariat to investigate lack of contact with the Welsh Assembly Government.

Action point 9:
Secretariat to keep an eye on the current restructuring of the administration in Ireland and report any impacts on what might happen with Transport.

Action point 10:
The Secretariat to maintain contact with Scotland on research was being planned on their concessionary fares scheme.

Agenda Item 9 - Presentation/Discussion Integrated Equalities Scheme

Action point 11:
Secretariat to ask Members (over induction training?) if they are interested in attending training / work shop and liaise with BBEU on dates etc.

Likely topics, particularly:

  • Priorities of a Single Equality Scheme.
  • Outcomes.
  • Advantages and disadvantages of a single scheme.
  • Risks.
  • Ensuring delivery.
  • Dealing with Stakeholders - who should the Department be speaking to.
  • How best to engage with DPTAC.

Action point 12:
Secretariat to let BBEU know if / which Members would wish to attend Equality Impact Assessment Training - again ask over Induction training days.

Agenda Item 10 - List of Consultations 2008-09

Action point 13:
Secretariat to investigate a consultation from the Home Office 'Licensing of Wheel Clamps', closing date of 23 July.

Agenda Item 12 - Mobility Roadshow

Action point 14:
Secretariat to carry forward the Olympic 'handy hint' sheet and to consider again information sheets for other modes.