Will the Minister state what steps the Welsh Government will take to ensure that playgrounds in Wales adhere to Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?
Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty, requires public bodies, including local authorities, to consider the needs of all individuals within their localities when shaping policy and in delivering their services. This includes the requirement under the Duty to undertake full Equality Impact Assessments on their strategic and funding decisions. This would apply to any decisions around the construction or maintenance of playgrounds.
In the context of play facility provision, our national planning policy is set out in Planning Policy Wales and it requires planning authorities to provide a framework for well-located, good quality sport, recreational and leisure facilities, and develop clear policies for the provision, protection and enhancement of sport, recreation and leisure facilities. Accessibility is also clearly promoted through national planning policy which states “development proposals must address the issues of inclusivity and accessibility for all. This includes making provision to meet the needs of people with sensory, memory, learning and mobility impairments, older people and people with young children”
Under section 11 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, every local authority must assess and secure sufficient play opportunities for children in its area having regard to the 3 yearly Play Sufficiency Assessment which it must carry out. This duty includes a requirement to have regard to the needs of children who are disabled persons. The Welsh Government also requires local authorities to develop and review action plans each year to record progress and identify and set out actions to be taken during the following year.