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The core purpose of our Corporate Strategy for 2005-2009 is to make sure that we promote:
The County Council is formally committed;
- Feel safe
- Lead healthy lives
- Learn and develop
- Work and prosper
- Get help if they need it
- Enjoy a high quality environment, and
- Travel easily and safely.
7.2.1 Development of the Lancashire Accessibility Strategy
Delivering Accessibility is one of the four shared transport priorities identified by the Government and the Local Government Association in 2002.
Lancashire is developing an Accessibility Strategy in accordance with the Department of Transport 'Guidance on Accessibility Planning in Local Transport Plans'. Advice on the preparation of the Strategy has been taken from the within reach Accessibility Training and Advisory Programme.
The principal objective of the Accessibility Strategy is that it should make a valuable contribution towards the County Council's commitment to ensure that people receive accessible, high quality, value for money services which meet their needs, as set out in the Lancashire County Council Corporate Plan. We will give particular consideration to bringing forward measures that will assist those people who suffer disadvantage through poor accessibility.
Lancashire's Accessibility Strategy is based on the following objectives;
7.2.2 Approach to Accessibility Planning
Accessibility is integral to the LTP and elsewhere in this document there are many strategies of long standing that include accessibility benefits. The links between accessibility and social exclusion were discussed at the ‘Making the Connections in Lancashire’ workshops, which established networks of interested partners, and the Lancashire Accessibility Strategy has been developed as a response to the problems identified with these partners.
Accessibility Planning is being carried out in accordance with the five-stage process recommended by the Department for Transport in their Guidance on Accessibility Planning in Local Transport Plans.
Figure 7.2.2 Accessibility Planning Process
5 Stage accessibility
Strategic Accessibility Assessment7.2.3 In Lancashire, the Strategic Assessment has consisted of
We will continue to monitor strategic accessibility.
7.2.4 Local Accessibility Assessment
Following the Strategic Assessment and determination of priorities, we have identified partners and partnerships to highlight key accessibility issues at a local level and engage in more detailed discussions about issues raised. The form of the Local Accessibility Assessment has been determined by the nature of the issues identified. These range from identifying where large scale interventions may be required, to the need to recognise barriers that may be very localised. As a part of the Local Accessibility Assessment, we identify where partners' own strategies have implications for accessibility levels. We are aware that local assessments are a continuous process and will be further developed as issues come to light in our continuing strategic accessibility monitoring.
7.2.5 Option Appraisal
As the issues in a Local Accessibility Assessment become evident, then options to resolve these problems can be appraised. Option appraisal is underway in some cases, whilst being at an early stage in other areas. Option appraisal has already highlighted some areas where we and our partners can most effectively make interventions, especially for groups at risk of exclusion. Further options may need to be considered within each Local Accessibility Assessment as the action plans take effect and accessibility changes within the area.
7.2.6 Action Plans
The development of Action Plans is taking place alongside Option Appraisal. Together with our partners, we are drawing up detailed Action Plans to deliver accessibility improvements to help ensure that at-risk groups are able to access key opportunities and services.
7.2.7 Monitoring
We have specified a number of targets that we wish to achieve in our headline ambitions to reduce social exclusion. In addition, we have made the decision to monitor several other indicators that will help us to understand overall accessibility levels in Lancashire. These include a range of output and outcome measures. This combination of targets and indicators will ensure that we can be sure that we are achieving both good value for money and are improving opportunities for at-risk groups.
7.2.8 Partnerships
An effective Accessibility Strategy can only be delivered through a partnership approach, as good accessibility is dependent upon upon the relationship between transport, location, service delivery and design that is suited to peoples' needs.Partnership working is deeply embedded in the way the County Council delivers its services. However, the challenge is to mobilise and build on these partnerships to deliver the objectives of the Accessibility Strategy effectively. As a part of the development of the Accessibility Strategy, the Council has developed close working relationships with a number of partner organisations that are helping us to deliver social inclusion benefits, both on a formal and informal basis.