We have also been looking at this, and have been told that the Licencing
Act cannot enforce other legislation eg DDA .
This is a backward step for us. We have for many years been providing the
licencing magistrates with access reports, which has meant that many
licenced premises have become accessible in Swansea.
There is no duty on authorities under the DDA to remove discrimination in
the 'functions' it carries out, nor to promote disability equality. These
are in the Race Act and therefore is referred to in our draft licencing
consultation . I understand that this is proposed for the DDA new bill that
is currently being worked on by the DWP.
The Licencing Act does however allow for Health and safety Issues. Many
'access' issues are H&S issues eg color contrast , lighting etc. and
therefore can be included. We have started making a list ( any more
suggestions are welcome)
<<Safety Issues re Disabled people and Licensed premises.doc>>
We are now looking at whether equalities in general terms can be included. I
too would be interested in any other views.
Regards
Mary Gwynne
Policy Development Officer(Access)
01792 636733 (voice and text)
[log in to unmask]
Performance and Strategic Planning,
Chief Executive's Department.
> ----------
> From: Peter[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: Accessibuilt list
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 03:34
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessibility enforcement through new
> licensing powers
>
> Liverpool City Council is carrying out a public consultation about the way
> that it will enforce licensing under the Licensing Act 2003 (due to come
> into force in the near future - licensing of pubs etc will cease to be
> through magistrates and become a council task).
>
> The document makes only a brief - and in my opinion rather feeble -
> reference to accessibility: "In the context of providing safe and wider
> access to licensed premises for disabled members of the community, the
> Council urges all licensees to familiarise themselves" with the DDA.
>
> I am proposing to draft a reply to the consultation regretting that they
> are
> not emphasising accessibility more strongly, and indeed that they are not
> using the licensing process as a very effective means of ensuring that the
> DDA is considered annually by all licensed premises. (I'm making a
> parallel
> with existing taxi licensing that has ensured that at least all local
> Black
> Cabs carry ramps)
>
> Does anyone else have any experience that will help me in this? For
> example,
> have other councils produced draft policies on this Act (they all have to
> eventually) that are more helpful or more strongly worded? Are any
> proposing
> to use the re-structured licensing powers as a positive tool to help
> enforce accessibility improvements? Or am I barking up a tree which has
> been
> already closed off (apologies for mixed metaphor)?
>
>
>
> Peter Bates
> Research Officer
> Merseyside Disability Federation
> Greenbank College
> Greenbank Lane
> Liverpool L17 1AG
>
> (0151) 291-9570
> (0151) 291-9569 (textphone & fax)
> [log in to unmask]
>
> ----------End of Message----------
>
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the
> distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme
> visit:
>
> http://www.inclusive-design.it
>
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
>
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