Cooper: trailblazers at the heart of initiative to support disabled people

Trailblazing local authorities are being invited to help shape the way services are delivered to disabled people, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper told local authorities today

Yvette Cooper encouraged local authorities to work with Jobcentre Plus offices and develop proposals to become Right to Control trailblazers.

Right to Control is a shake-up of the way disabled people can use the funding they receive from the state and is part of the Government’s radical welfare reforms. The trailblazers will test how this could work in practice.

Yvette Cooper said:

“Local authorities have an exciting opportunity to shape the way services supporting disabled people are delivered in the future. This will put the wishes of the individual at the heart of the system. I am, today, urging local authorities to work with local agencies and Government to develop innovative approaches through trailblazers.”

Jonathan Shaw said:

“We understand that disabled people are the experts in their own lives. The Right to Control will give them power to choose the support they need and trailblazer sites will play a vital role in shaping this scheme.”

The Right to Control, which is a major part of the Government’s goal to achieve equality for disabled people by 2025, gives disabled people the power to decide who delivers their services and how they receive them.

Individuals and organisations can take part in the Right to Control consultation by visiting www.odi.gov.uk/right-to-control or calling 020 7449 5093

(DFT) Making it easier to tackle inconsiderate and dangerous parking

English local authorities will be able to tackle inconsiderate and dangerous parking more easily, Transport Minister Paul Clark confirmed today.

From June, councils which carry out parking enforcement will be able to issue Penalty Charge Notices to motorists who park at dropped kerbs or double-park, without the need for these prohibitions to be indicated with specific traffic signs or road markings. This follows consultation which showed strong support for the move.

Authorities in London have successfully used this tool for a number of years to help wheelchair users and those with prams manoeuvre on and off pavements - as well as stopping inconsiderate motorists from blocking residents' driveways. It has also helped deter motorists from blocking the road when parking.

Transport Minister Paul Clark said:

"Dropped kerbs are there to help wheelchair users and those with powered mobility vehicles or prams get around easily and safely. They also allow residents to access their garages and driveways.

"The Highway Code is clear that drivers should not stop or park in such places and we believe placing of traffic signs or road markings to indicate these restrictions should not be necessary - as is the case in London. The same rules will apply to double parking - a dangerous activity that causes an unnecessary obstruction of the road, putting all road users at risk.

"While we believe signs and markings are not necessary in these circumstances, we expect local authorities who want to use these powers to do so in a fair and transparent manner and publicise their plans to do so. All other restrictions will continue to require clear signs and markings."

Chair of the Joint Committee on Mobility for Disabled People Joe Hennessy said:

"Inconsiderate parking at dropped kerbs is a substantial barrier to the mobility of disabled people particularly at crossing points. The committee wholeheartedly support these new regulations."

Those who park across entranceways to private properties should only be penalised if the owner of the property requests that the council takes action.

Today's move will improve national consistency by bringing the rest of England in line with authorities in London where dropped kerb and double parking restrictions do not have to be indicated with signs or markings. It will also help reduce street clutter by limiting the number of signs at the roadside.