Strategic and local assessments—the two stages

The approach set out in the DfT’s guidance suggests that there are two stages in identifying and prioritising problems related to poor accessibility. When undertaking assessments, these should be informed by the authority’s overall vision along with any previously identified corporate or community priorities, such as those expressed through the Council Plan and Community Strategies.

Stage 1: Strategic Assessment

First, it is suggested that you conduct a strategic area-wide accessibility assessment (stage 1). This approach helps you manage the priorities for detailed data gathering and make the best of qualitative and quantitative evidence to support effective local decision-making.

The aim of a strategic area-wide accessibility assessment is to identify strategic priorities and define requirements for future, more systematic assessments. The core indicators are just one type of measure, however, you should remember that while core indicators provide guidance and may be appropriate for inclusion in the strategic assessment process, local indicators and local knowledge are more important overall.

To conduct a thorough and effective strategic assessment, it is suggested you carry out the following key tasks:

• Identify accessibility problems within your authority
  This will be achieved partly though local knowledge and talking to stakeholders and partly through performing strategic mapping audits for the main destination types
  
  

• Develop 'strategic partnerships' around specific themes
  This will allow you to consider specific accessibility problems and to review any existing knowledge on accessibility issues. (Be sure to include partners with both policy development and delivery roles)
  
  

• Prioritise areas, population groups and issues for further action

 

Stage 2: Local Assessment

Stage 2 provides more detailed local assessments, focusing on identified areas of priority, population groups and issues. This stage will help you quantify the scale of the problems, identify the local areas for action and identify the stakeholders who should be involved in a partnership to address these problems. Stage 2 includes, as appropriate:

• Reviews of existing local evidence with partners
  
  
• More detailed local mapping audits, and/or
  
  
• New surveys and research, including consulting communities/clients/users

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