Common Strategic Policy 2026 – 2030 (P.75/2026): third amendment

COMMON STRATEGIC POLICY 2026 – 2030 (P.75/2026): THIRD AMENDMENT

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After the words "report accompanying this Proposition" insert the words –

", except that on page 15 of the report, after action 8.4, there should be inserted the following –

"8.5 Develop and implement an updated Disability and Inclusion Strategy for

Jersey, in partnership with disabled Islanders, and improve the accessibility of  Government services  and facilities through departmental access  and inclusion plans"".

DEPUTY L.V. FELTHAM OF ST. HELIER CENTRAL

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

in accordance with Article 18(2)(e) of the States of Jersey Law 2005, to approve the statement of the Common Strategic Policy of the Council of Ministers as set out in the report accompanying this Proposition, except that on page 15 of the report, after action 8.4 there should be inserted the following –

"8.5  Develop  and  implement  an  updated  Disability  and  Inclusion Strategy for Jersey, in partnership with disabled Islanders, and improve the  accessibility  of  Government  services  and  facilities  through departmental access and inclusion plans".

REPORT

Purpose

The  purpose  of  this  amendment  is  to  secure  a  commitment  to  developing  and implementing an updated Disability and Inclusion Strategy for Jersey, in partnership with disabled Islanders,  and to improving access to government services through departmental access and inclusion plans.

Background

In 2022, I brought an amendment to the Common Strategic Policy to make clear the Government's  responsibility  for  accessible  services  and  departmental  access  and inclusion plans. The Assembly adopted that amendment with revised wording.

This amendment would build on that decision and provide a clear commitment for the current term.

Disability inclusion concerns the ability of Islanders to participate in all aspects of life. It includes access to education, employment, housing, transport, public services and community activities. It therefore requires cooperation across Government and with organisations beyond Government.

I have brought this amendment under the priority of improving our health services because of its contribution to wellbeing, independence and access to support. However, disability and inclusion extend across all areas of government. An updated strategy must therefore establish shared responsibility for removing the barriers disabled Islanders face in everyday life.

An updated strategy should reflect the present needs and experiences of disabled Islanders. Their involvement in its development is essential to identifying the barriers that need to be addressed and the changes that would make a meaningful difference.

The amendment also expressly includes implementation. The purpose of updating the strategy is to improve people's lives, and the Government must be able to demonstrate how its work contributes to that objective.

Departmental access and inclusion plans would give practical effect to this commitment within government services. Each department should consider the barriers relevant to the services and facilities it provides, including physical access, communication and the arrangements through which people obtain assistance.

The amendment leaves departments to determine the content of their plans. However, the  plans  should  influence  how  services  are  designed  and  delivered  and  how improvements are prioritised.

Conclusion

This amendment gives the Assembly the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to equitable access and participation. It would establish both an Island-wide direction through an updated strategy and a practical responsibility for government departments to improve their own services.

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P.75/2026 Amd.(3)

Financial and staffing implications

Updating the strategy, working with disabled Islanders and developing departmental plans will require officer time. I consider that access and inclusion should form part of departments' usual service planning. Any additional resources required for coordination or implementation, including changes to facilities or services, should be identified and provided for through the relevant budgets.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

I consider that this amendment has no direct or indirect impact on children and that the duty to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child does not arise. Accordingly, a Children's Rights Impact Assessment is not required under the Children (Convention Rights) (Jersey) Law 2022.