Agenda of Disability Advisory Panel

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Disability Advisory Panel will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Monday, 14 September 2015

10.00am

Council Chamber, Ground Floor
Auckland Town Hall

301-305 Queen Street

Auckland

Disability Advisory Panel

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Clive Lansink
Deputy Chairperson	John Herring
Members	Colleen Brown, MNZM, JP
	Dan Buckingham
	Jade Farrar
	David Hughes
	Nicola Keyworth
	Gerard Martin
	Don McKenzie, CNZM, OBE
	Susan Sherrard
	Ursula Thynne
Liaison Councillor	Sharon Stewart, QSM

(Quorum 6 members)

Mike Giddey

Democracy Advisor

8 September 2015

Contact Telephone: (09) 890 8143

Email: mike.giddey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

ITEM TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1 Apologies 5

2 Declaration of Interest 5

3 Confirmation of Minutes 5

4 Extraordinary Business 5

5 Introduction of new panel members 7

6 Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Plan Project 9

7 Ensuring Council Controlled Organisation alignment to council strategies and policies 13

8 Auckland Transport Update 17

9 DAP Work Programme 19

10 Auckland Design Manual - Universal Design 23

11 Disability Action Plan 25

12 Community Summit 27

13 Consideration of Extraordinary Items

1 Apologies

Apologies from Member N Keyworth and Member S Sherrard have been received.

2 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Disability Advisory Panel:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting held on Monday, 3 August 2015 as a true and correct record.

4 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

Item 5 - Introduction of new panel members

File No.: CP2015/18830

Purpose

1. To introduce two new panel members to the Disability Advisory Panel.

Executive Summary

2. At a meeting of the Governing Body on 27 August 2015 Gerard Martin and Ursula Thynne were appointed to the Disability Advisory Panel until 30 September 2016 and summary biographies are provided.

3. Gerard Martin is currently Relationship Manager, External Providers at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, working with NGOs and Chambers of Commerce to disseminate information about settlement and employment to skilled migrants, their partners and families and to employers. Mr. Martin is an ex officio board member of the Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand (IPANZ), a not-for-profit organisation promoting improvements in public policy and management across the public sector. He has also served on the Board of the Auckland Amputee Society. He uses an above-knee artificial leg after losing his leg to a bone tumour in 1987.

4. Ursula Thynne has been profoundly hearing-impaired since childhood and is actively involved in the New Zealand deaf community. She is now a qualified sign language teacher and has delivered deaf awareness workshops and been a youth leader for many leadership camps. She was the recipient of the Vodafone NZ Foundation World of Difference Award. She used the funding she won to continue her work with Magnet, an organisation which is a part of Deaf Aotearoa and which represents deaf and hearing impaired youth in New Zealand.

Recommendation/s

That the Disability Advisory Panel:

a) welcome Gerard Martin and Ursula Thynne as members of the panel.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Mike Giddey - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Andrew Wood – Lead Officer Support

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

Item 6 - Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Plan Project

File No.: CP2015/18492

Purpose

1. To provide the Disability Advisory Panel with an update on the development of the Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Plan project.

2. To seek input from the Panel as experts and members of their community, to help generate a clearer picture of considerations important to the disabled community in CDEM planning to be considered in the development of the new Group Plan.

Executive Summary

3. Auckland Council has a statutory role in planning for CDEM to meet the requirements of the CDEM Act 2002. One of those requirements is to develop a plan (Group Plan) to implement effective, efficient and coordinated delivery of CDEM in Auckland.

4. The Auckland CDEM Group committee, a committee of council, are reviewing the current Group Plan and developing the next (3^rd) generation Group Plan for Auckland. The new Group Plan will come into effect in July 2016, and will be operative for five years, until July 2021.

5. The Group Plan is Auckland CDEM’s strategic document that outlines our vision and goals and how we will achieve them. The vision of the current Group Plan is ‘a Resilient Auckland’, a city that will be able to quickly adapt and continue to function at the highest possible level during and after emergency events.

6. Like the rest of the populace, all aspects of life for people with disabilities are affected in an emergency. However, we recognise that we need to consider appropriate forms of personal and community preparedness and public education, immediate emergency response capability, long-term recovery planning for people with disabilities before, during and after an emergency in Auckland.

7. This report seeks the panel’s input, both as advisers on matters for people with disabilities, and as members of their community, to help generate a clearer picture of considerations important to the disability community in CDEM planning for this Group Plan review.

Recommendations

That the Disability Advisory Panel:

a) note the contents of the report.

b) provide feedback on considerations important to people with disabilities during Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) planning for the review of the Auckland CDEM Group Plan.

Comments

Background

8. Parts of Auckland are at risk from natural and man-made hazards that occur with varying severity and frequency therefore Aucklanders are, and will continue to be, at risk from a broad range of hazards. Aucklanders have become increasingly aware of these risks as a result of local, national and international hazard events making it important to continue to build resilient and safe communities able to cope with, and adapt to, the impacts of disasters.

9. To make our city the most liveable city in the world we need to effectively build resilience across all facets of Auckland’s environments (social, economic, built, and environmental) in a coordinated manner, supported by a strong community engagement approach and achieving the goals in the 4Rs framework (this includes the ‘Reduction’ of risks, ‘Readiness’ of the community, and ensuring effective ‘Response’ and ‘Recovery’ capabilities).

10. The Auckland CDEM Group committee (a committee of council) has requested a thorough approach to engagement and consultation for Auckland’s communities to ensure we develop the most effective Group Plan for Aucklanders. Auckland Council will also work with the Ministry of CDEM to explore how new national approaches could be included in the new Group Plan for Auckland. This is an exciting opportunity for Auckland to help shape the future landscape of emergency management in New Zealand.

11. This engagement may present opportunities to many people, who could be directly affected by an emergency and who will want to know what council is doing to prepare Auckland to respond to, and recover from, emergencies. There is potential for this to generate wide public interest in Auckland. This is a significant consultation and engagement activity and the engagement principles of Auckland Council’s Significance & Engagement policy will be applied.

12. Like the rest of the populace all aspects of life for people with disabilities are affected in an emergency. However there are additional considerations in terms of preparedness and resilience that need to be factored into planning for response and recovery for people with disabilities in our region.

13. For example, a report into issues experienced by disabled people following the 2010 – 2011 Canterbury earthquake series found that disabled people want to be supported to remain independent following an emergency. Many areas of concern for people interviewed were: the physical safety of disabled people during and after the earthquakes, ensuring communication was accessible for all, the availability of accessible housing and transport, and being able to access healthcare in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes.

14. This report seeks the panel’s input both as experts on the disability community matters and as members of their community to help generate a clearer picture of considerations important to seniors in CDEM planning. This feedback will help inform the content of the new Group Plan and the development of Auckland Council’s engagement activity which will roll out as per the timelines listed below:

Timeline of Group Plan project

15. Informal engagement will be completed and development of the draft Group Plan will occur between July and December 2015.

16. Statutory public consultation will take place from January to April 2016.

17. The final Group Plan will be reviewed by the Minister of Civil Defence and approved by the Auckland CDEM Group and adopted in July 2016.

18. Consultation with communities on this plan review will be via a number of channels including council’s online consultation hub Shape Auckland. This survey asks specific questions in relation to:

· Hazards, civil defence, disaster and emergency awareness

· Preparedness

· Community resilience and community response planning

· The communication of hazards and public warnings

19. The disability advisory panel may wish to consider these key feedback areas alongside general feedback points of importance to disability communities, stakeholders and sectors.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

20. For the purposes of preparing this report, no local board views or implications were sought. Local board views are regularly sought across functions of CDEM such as, local hazard and risk communication, community response planning and community engagement in CDEM readiness.

21. Local board views will be sought through the Group Plan review process.

Māori impact statement

22. Future discussions on the review of this Group Plan may have implications for Maori. The Auckland Plan identified Māori outcomes will be considered as the Group Plan review is developed. Māori views will be sought through the Communications and Engagement component of the Group Plan project.

Implementation

23. Significance of Decision

Obligations to the Local Government Act 2002

a) Auckland Council’s new Significance and Engagement (S & E) Policy is effective from
1 December 2014. This policy is required under the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA)

b) This consultation may present opportunities to many people, who could be directly affected by an emergency and want to know what the council’s Group Plan is about. There is potential for this to generate wide public interest in New Zealand, given events that have happened domestically and internationally. It is therefore determined that this as a significant consultation and engagement activity and the engagement principles of the S & E policy will be applied.

c) Specifically, the council will:

· conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner; and give effect to its identified priorities and outcomes in an efficient and effective manner

· make itself aware of, and should have regard to, the views of all of its communities

· take account of the diversity of the community, and the community's interests; and the interests of future as well as current communities; and the likely impact of any decision on them

· provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to its decision-making processes

· ensure prudent stewardship and the efficient and effective use of its resources in the interests of its district or region, including by planning effectively for the future management of its assets.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Kiri Maxwell - Senior Advisor Readiness, Civil Defence and Emergency Management

Authorisers

John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Andrew Wood – Lead Officer Support

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

Item 7 - Ensuring Council Controlled Organisation alignment to council strategies and policies

File No.: CP2015/18348

Purpose

1. To provide advice to the Disability Advisory Panel (DAP) about how council ensures Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) align with council policies, and meet the obligations in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (BORA) and the Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA).

Executive Summary

2. The DAP has asked for advice on how council ensures that its CCOs act in accordance with the BORA, the HRA and its own policies.

3. The BORA and the HRA require that New Zealanders have the right to be free from discrimination on a number of grounds, including disability. Taken together, these Acts provide a framework for council and its CCOs, as public bodies, to ensure their policies, practices and services do not discriminate on the basis of disability.

4. Whilst council does not have a specific policy for services for people with disability, the Auckland Plan and other strategies and policies contain objectives which promote inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in society. Auckland Transport (AT) does however, have a specific policy to guide the provision of services to people with disabilities.

Recommendation/s

That the Disability Advisory Panel:

a) note the advice provided in this report.

Comments

Background

5. At their meeting on 30 March 2015, the DAP discussed a Transport Update report and noted “that council had legal obligations to people with disabilities under legislation such as the Human Rights Act 1993 and the Bill of Rights Act 1990, and council’s own policies which promote the inclusion, participation and independence of people with disabilities in society”. The Panel asked council to advise “how it ensures Council-controlled Organisations such as Auckland Transport, through the authority delegated to them, meet such obligations and comply with council policies”. This report provides that advice.

The BORA and the HRA

6. When taken together the BORA and the HRA provide that people have the right to be free from discrimination on the grounds of disability.

7. The non-discrimination standard set out part 1A of the HRA applies to a person or body in the performance of any public function, power, or duty conferred or imposed on that person or body by or pursuant to law. Council performs public functions and duties that are set under statute and so must comply with the provisions of part 1A of the HRA.

8. Council considers that this obligation also applies to CCOs due to the public nature of their activities and that public funding is used towards those activities. This means that council and its CCOs need to ensure that their policies, practices and services do not discriminate on the ground of disability, either directly or indirectly.

9. However, all rights and freedoms contained in the BORA, need to be balanced with competing interests and responsibilities and therefore may be subject to reasonable limitations. The BORA and the HRA do not require public bodies to promote the inclusion, participation and independence of people with disabilities in society.

The existing policies of Council and its CCOs

10. Council does not currently have a specific policy that outlines how it might provide services to people with disabilities. It does however, have many policies that promote inclusion and the removal of barriers and opportunities to participate in society, particularly for disadvantaged groups.

11. Council is currently developing an action plan that aims to build on what council is already doing to deliver positive outcomes for people living with disabilities. It will strengthen the link between policy objectives and service levels.

12. The DAP have been advised that AT have developed their own disability policy. In giving effect to its policy, AT will need to consider the funding envelope that council requires it to work within and the funding it receives from the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Ensuring CCOs meet their statutory obligations and comply with council policies

13. Council has several mechanisms for ensuring that CCOs meet their statutory obligations and comply with council policies, including but not limited to:

· The provision of an annual Letter of Expectation, outlining the particular matters that council wants the board of the CCO to focus on when drafting the annual Statement of Intent (SOI)

· Reviewing and providing shareholder comment on the entity’s draft SOI

· Outlining any relevant aspects of council policies and strategies that council expects a particular CCO to act consistently with. This ability is provided for in s 92 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 (LGACA). Council staff are currently reviewing all council policies and strategies with a view to communicating these expectations to CCOs early in 2016. The list of relevant policies and strategies will be recorded in an updated version of the new CCO Governance Manual.

· Agreeing service levels through the Long Term Plan process and funding the provision of services in line with these agreed service levels.

14. The unique governance model that is provided for in LGACA allows council to pursue a relationship-based approach to working together with CCOs.

15. Formal processes and performance monitoring are necessary, but are not enough to achieve delivery of strategic goals. Council is moving from requiring compliance with policies which are not necessarily linked directly to funding levels to a more collaborative approach to agreeing appropriate service levels together.

16. The DAP has a role in providing advice to council in the development of new policies, strategies and objectives. A recent example of this was the advice provided to council on the objectives for Development Auckland.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

17. The matters contained in this report are of interest to local boards. The views and preferences of local boards have not been sought in the preparation of this advice.

Māori impact statement

18. The matters contained in this report are of interest to Māori. There has been no iwi consultation in the preparation of this advice.

Implementation

19. Council staff will continue to consider all matters relating to the development of a disability action plan and will work with the DAP in this endeavour.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Rose Leonard - Principal Advisor

Authorisers

Andrew John – Acting Treasurer & Head of CCO Governance and External Partnerships

Andrew Wood – Lead Officer Support

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

Item 9 - DAP Work Programme

File No.: CP2015/18917

Purpose

1. To review the work programme for the period to 30 June 2015 and determine what additional actions should be added.

Executive Summary

2. A report concerning the demographic panels work programmes was due to go to the September Regional Strategy and Policy Committee meeting, however this meeting was cancelled. The report will now be turned into a memorandum and sent to Councillors outside of a meeting process.

3. At its meeting on 3 August 2015 the Panel resolved that Panel members give further thought to those matters that should be continued and any new issues that need the Panel’s input and that these should be confirmed at this meeting.

Recommendation/s

That the Disability Advisory Panel:

a) review its work programme and identify additional actions to be added.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Disability Advisory Panel - Final Work Programme 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2015	21

Signatories

Author	Andrew Wood - Lead Officer Support
Authoriser	Andrew Wood - Lead Officer Support

Disability Advisory Panel

14 September 2015

Disability Advisory Panel – Final Work Programme 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2015

Key Programmes and Priorities	Sub-programmes	Other key agencies	Delivery	Implementation	Overlap with other Panels	*Planned* *date*	*Progress to 30 April 2015*
Employment	Feedback on council’s Inclusive Employment Forum report		Community Development, Arts and Culture	Auckland Council	PPAP	February 2015	Completed on 23 February 2015
Transport	Input to AT (directly and via CPAG and PTAG) to support universal access in its designs and service delivery; including: · ongoing input to support accessible public transport that is user-friendly and safe around rail crossings, terminals and interchanges · promotion of the need for clear signage and audible information on transport movements, destinations and timetables.	Auckland Transport	Community Development, Arts and Culture Auckland Transport	Auckland Transport	YAP SAP	June 2015	DAP resolved on 15 December 2014 not to have a representative on CPAG and PTAG because AT would not agree to pay a meeting fee to a DAP representative. Paul Brown and Martine Abel are members and regularly report back to DAP. DAP input was provided to AT on 19 March and 16 April 2015. AT manager was requested to attend the 11 May DAP meeting – yet to be confirmed if they will attend.
Accessibility (buildings, environs, events)	Input into accessible open and recreational spaces, including parks, pools and beaches with accessible toilets, for people of all ages and abilities		Parks, Sports and Recreation	Parks, Sports and Recreation	SAP	June 2015	Anna McElrea advised on 21 April 2015 that this input will be via the Disability Action Plan process.
	Dialogue with the Urban Design Panel to ensure it applies the principles of universal access, reasonable accommodation and personal safety		Council and CCOs	Council and CCOs	SAP	March 2015	DAP discussed urban design panel matters at its meeting on 30 March 2015. DAP’s opportunity to influence will be via Simon Harrison who is developing the universal design hub for the Auckland Design Manual. DAP will asked to provide input in May and this will be formalised at the 22 June DAP meeting.
	Progress from submission on the Building Code (Built Environment)	Office for Disability Issues	Built Environment	Built Environment		May 2015	Completed - Megan McCoy from the Officer for Disability Issues attended the DAP meeting on 11 May 2015.
Housing	Input to support provision of a range of affordable and social housing designed for safety and convenience, and that accommodates diverse needs	Housing NZ MBIE	Housing Project Office	Housing Project Office	All	March 2015	Completed - Rose Leonard provided a report to the 11 May DAP meeting on Development Auckland. The Panel expected that Development Auckland will work with people with disabilities and that there will be the creation of housing that is accessible and affordable
Long Term Plan Consultation	Input to council’s Long Term Plan consultation approach (joint input from all panels)		Communication and Engagement	Communication and Engagement Community Development, Arts and Culture	All	March 2015	Completed. Clive Lansink provided a letter to council dated 2 April 2015 and presented to the Budget Committee on 14 April 2015.
General	Discussions with Councillors and CCO CEs about disability issues and the need for a disability strategy		CPO			February 2015	Council staff reported on a proposed scope and process to the DAP meeting on 11 May 2015. The panel recommended to staff the use of Option 3 from their report.
	Input to council’s Family, Whānau and Sexual Violence Multi-Sector Action Plan		Community and Social Policy	Community Development, Arts and Culture		March 2015	Completed - DAP provided input at its meeting on 11 May 2015.
Community Summit(s)	Housing? (tbc)	Tba			All	June 2015	A working group has been established to plan for the joint community summit on Accessible & Affordable Housing with the Seniors Advisory Panel. First meeting was held on the 6^th June 2015
*Actions completed July to December 2014*
Employment	Delivery of Inclusive Employment Forum	Be. Institute, Ministry of Social Development, Disability Employment Forum and Disabled Persons Organisations	Community Development, Arts and Culture	Auckland Council	YAP	November 2014	Completed November 2014
Transport	Feedback on AT’s draft Code of Practice	Auckland Transport	Auckland Transport	Auckland Transport		July 2014	Completed July 2014
	Feedback on AT’s Parking Discussion Document	Auckland Transport	Auckland Transport	Auckland Transport		July 2014	Completed July 2014
Accessibility (buildings, environs, events)	Input to council’s Community Facilities Network Plan	Regional Facilities Auckland	Community and Social Policy	Council and CCOs		September 2014	Completed September 2014
	Input to council’s Community Grants Policy		Community and Social Policy			August 2014	Completed August 2014
	Feedback on council’s Local Alcohol Policy		Community and Social Policy			August 2014	Completed August 2014
	Feedback on council’s Arts and Culture Strategic Action Plan		Community and Social Policy			September 2014	Completed September 2014
Council response to issues raised by the community	Arts Access Aotearoa	Arts Access Aotearoa		Community Development, Arts and Culture		August 2014	Completed August 2014