Joined-up public infrastructure framework for an ageing population (P.50/2025): amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

JOINED-UP PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

FRAMEWORK FOR AN AGEING POPULATION (P.50/2025): AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 1st July 2025 by the Council of Ministers

STATES GREFFE

2025  P.50 Amd.

JOINED-UP PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK FOR AN

AGEING POPULATION (P.50/2025): AMENDMENT

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1.  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –

Substitute "January" with "July".

2  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(i) –

Delete paragraph (a)(i) and re-designate the subsequent paragraphs accordingly. 3  PAGE 2 , PARAGRAPH (a)(ii) –

Substitute  the  words  ",  including  mandatory"  with  "reflective  of  nationally accepted best practice, including" and after the words "adequate lighting on walkways" insert "where appropriate"

4  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(iii)

After the words "with the bus provider, that" insert "seek to"; after the words "and visual updates" insert "at key interchanges and high use stops, where appropriate  provide";  and  after  the  words  "shelter  from  weather,"  insert "encouragement to accept".

5  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(iv)

Substitute the words "10-Minute Neighbourhoods" with "Continue to develop the concept of liveable neighbourhood', as can be interpreted in the Bridging Island Plan, and work towards, wherever possible, providing neighbourhood facilities" and substitute the word "walk" with "travel time of the development"

6  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a)(v)

Substitute the words "every 300 to 500 meters" with "within 500 metres, where possible"

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

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

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

1. to request the Chief Minister, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Infrastructure, to develop and introduce  an  Age-Friendly  Infrastructure  Framework  (the

"Framework") by 31st July 2026, to be delivered in conjunction with the existing "Delivering Investment into the Public Realm", the Framework to include, but not be limited to –

1. inclusive design standards reflective of nationally accepted best  practice,  including  age-friendly  design  guidelines incorporating, but not limited to step-free access, anti-slip pavement  materials,  high-contrast  signage  and  tactile surfaces  and  adequate  lighting  on  walkways  where appropriate;
2. accessible  public  transport  networks,  following  liaison with the bus provider, that seek to include an increase in the number of bus shelters and, as replacements are due, upgrades  to  shelters  with  real-time  audio  and  visual updates at key interchanges and high use stops, where appropriate provide benches with armrests, shelter from weather, encouragement to accept priority seating, and ongoing training for staff on senior accessibility needs;
3. Continue  to  develop  the  concept  of  "liveable neighbourhood",  as  can  be  interpreted  in  the  Bridging Island  Plan,  and  work  towards,  wherever  possible, providing neighbourhood facilities for older adults, with an encouragement of development where all essential services (GP, pharmacy, grocery, park or green space, community space)  are  within  10  minutes'  travel  time  of  the development,  and  partnering  with  local  businesses  to provide age-friendly store layouts and customer-service training; and
4. public  toilets  and  rest  facilities,  where  all  future developments and refurbishment projects should ensure that  accessible  public  toilets  and  shaded  seating  are provided in Town, Parish centres and in parks within 500 metres, where possible; and

2. that political oversight and responsibility for the Framework should be allocated to a single Minister (or Assistant Minister), to ensure co-ordination between all Departments and provide continuity of approach and oversight.

Page - 3

P.50/2025 Amd.

REPORT

This amendment seeks to make minor changes to P.50/2025 as lodged by Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North ("the Proposer").

These proposed changes are the result of positive consultation between the Minister for the Environment and the Proposer.

The removal of the original paragraph (a)(i) and the word "mandatory" are proposed as it would ensure the Proposition reflects the original intentions of the Proposer; their intention  was  to  refer  to  coordinating  guidance  generally,  not  enforceable technical/planning guidance that has a statutory basis. These amendments do not hinder the ultimate purpose of the Proposition, which is to ensure a framework is produced that signposts  and  potentially  supplements  existing  government  policy  in  one  easily accessible document.

Changing the timeline from January 2026 to July 2026 will provide sufficient time to undertake the work required if the Proposition is adopted.

In undertaking work relating to age friendly infrastructure, this will be conducted in line with  broader  work  already  in  place  relating  to  disability  and  inclusion,  to  avoid duplication.

The amendment to paragraph (a)(ii) considers the requests from the Proposer, outlines what can be reasonably delivered, and removes the word "enforced" and replaces it with "encourages", as discussed with the Proposer during consultation.

The  final  amendment  being  proposed  is  the  removal  of  the  prescriptive  distance requirement for the provision of accessible public toilets and shaded seating prior to necessary consultation, if required. The framework will consider this matter and, if needs be and appropriate, set a requirement in this regard where possible.

Financial and staffing implications

There  are  no  additional  financial  and/or  staffing  implications  arising  from  this amendment to the original Proposition.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

A Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.