DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes September 2023
Updated 13 February 2024
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11:05am to 14:15pm, 27 September 2023, DfT London and online.
Attendees
DPTAC: Matthew Campbell-Hill (Chair), Will Bee, Tanvi Vyas, Roger Mackett, Mike Brace, Bryan Matthews, Sharon Brennan, Sue Sharp, Helen Dolphin, David Mapp, Dave Partington, Niki Glazier.
Guests: Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS), Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), Public Bodies Centre of Expertise (DfT), Cabinet Office Disability Unit (CODU).
Apologies: Welsh Government
Introduction, conflicts of interest and minutes of previous main meeting
The Chair asked for new real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest with the items on the agenda; Helen chairs the Motability Consumer Advisory group and Will, Mike and Tanvi are members of this group.
DPTAC advice provided during the previous quarter
DPTAC provided 11 pieces of advice to the department over the past quarter. The Chair talked through the advice provided which included the following:
- response to the Civil Aviation Authority’s airlines’ accessibility framework consultation
- response to the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) consultation on their 2023 Periodic Review Draft Determination
- engagement with the Rail Minister on Ticket Office closure proposals
- input to the 2023 maritime accessibility survey
- advice on taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility policy
- advice on station accessibility data
- advice on Natcen research on accessibility and inclusivity of bus and coach travel
- comments on the ORR’s survey on passengers’ experience with train and station operators’ complaints and redress processes
- initial comments on Active Travel England’s draft school streets guidance
- advice on draft bus user priority guidance
- response to the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations call for evidence
Secretariat update
The Secretariat provided an update on specific projects including implementation of DPTAC’s publication scheme, and the setup of a GOV.UK domain for the committee, to ensure information is sent and received securely and enable quicker communication.
The Secretariat were working to implement shared folders enabling easier access for DPTAC members, as well as an understanding of the accessibility requirements for documents.
Action: Secretariat to provide a guide setting out protocols and accessibility considerations when using documents.
Motability
DPTAC discussed the Motability programme and how benefits are realised for disabled people.
DPTAC discussed options for engaging with Motability policy with a view to maximising benefits for disabled people, noting that, whilst this is a DWP lead, DPTAC has an interest in ensuring disabled people are able to travel.
Action: Members to feedback suggestions to the Chair, to pick up further through the Comms WG.
Findings from DPTAC light touch governance review
DPTAC had recently undergone a routine light touch governance review. The DfT Public Bodies Centre of Expertise (PBCE) team outlined their role in carrying out reviews of non-departmental bodies and similar organisations.
DPTAC discussed the development of a forward work plan which would focus on key policy areas being taken forward by the department, but would also allow for emerging ministerial priorities and live issues raised by Committee members.
PBCE outlined areas of work which came out of the review including working protocols, setting out the benefits of delivering on these recommendations.
DPTAC sought clarification around strengthening internal awareness of DPTAC across DfT, potentially through new equality duty training. The PBCE are keen to loop members into relevant networks and promote the role of DPTAC more widely.
NDS update and DAP consultation
The Cabinet Office Disability Unit (CODU) provided background to the National Disability (NDS), published on 28 July 2021 setting out government plans to improve the lives of disabled people. They also provided an update on progress and their commitment to delivering the longer-term plan, including a Disability Action Plan (DAP) which goes further than the NDS and considers immediate steps for 2023-24.
CODU provided an overview of the DAP consultation including examples of cross-departmental commitments and those specific to individual departments, welcoming DPTAC feedback through the consultation.
Any other business
It was agreed that the next main meeting will be held on 6 December. The Chair also reminded members about their new appointment offer.
DPTAC discussed plans for recruiting new DPTAC members in order to refresh the committee membership in line with OCPA guidance.
DPTAC discussed its approach to responding to the Disability Action Plan Consultation.