This statement applies to content published on the www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk domain.

This website is run by East Staffordshire Borough Council. It is designed to be used by as many people as possible. The text should be clear and simple to understand. You should be able to:

  • Zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • Use most of the website using a screen reader
  • View any videos that we add to this website, ensuring they are accessible to all with audio or written alternatives available where required
  • Read or listen to transcripts of pre-recorded audio files.
  • Access our accessibility toolbar for assistance in language translation, colour schemes, audio playback, search, zoom, dictionary, ruler and text only view.
  • View and understand content where we use colour. We will ensure that the colours used have a sufficient colour contrast and users have the ability to change colour schemes through our accessibility toolbar.

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

Parts of this website are not fully accessible. For example:

  • You are not able to quickly skip to content on the planning explorer 
  • Some of the form controls on the planning explorer do not have labels
  • Some tables on the planning explorer do not have row headers
  • Many older documents are in PDF format and are not accessible
  • Some pages with Google or embedded maps are not fully accessible. A screen reader is unable to read aloud the contents of the map.
  • Some of the forms we link to (such as the planning portal forms) may not be fully accessible.

Feedback and contact information

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille. Please contact us on

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 7 days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact: [email protected] or call 01283 508626.

Please provide:

  • The web address (URL) of the content
  • Your name and email address
  • The format you need, for example, audio CD, braille, BSL or large print, accessible PDF

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

East Staffordshire Borough Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 21st September 2020. It was last reviewed on 11th April 2022

This website was last tested on 11th April 2022. The test was carried out by Silktide automated reporting and benchmarking.

The test assesses 1,500 pages of the Council's website against WCAG 2.1 AA and showed the website is 92% compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below:

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Areas of the website maintained by East Staffordshire Borough Council

  • Some PDF documents might not be suitable with current assistive technologies because they were not formatted correctly to support accessibility. From 23rd September 2020, PDF documents uploaded to the website should meet accessibility standards. If you require a PDF document in an accessible format please contact [email protected].
  • Some tables do not include a heading or scope. This doesn’t meet the WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1. We are working to add scope to tables or reformat how this content is presented to the user.
  • Some of the forms within our waste, environmental health self-service sections require zooming when viewed on a mobile device. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 1.4.10
  • A title is not included in all iFrames. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 2.4.1. We will have included a title on all iFrames by May 2022.
  • On some of the forms, there are some labels that do not point to valid IDs. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 1.3.1. We ensure all forms point to valid IDs by May 2022.
  • There are some lists presented on the website that are not semanticly displayed as lists. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 1.3.1. We will change the output in all situations to either <ul> or <ol> by May 2022.
  • In some instances controls do not change appearance when they are selected.  This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 2.4.7. We will ensure all controls change in appearance by May 2022.
  • On some forms the purpose of fields are not identified programmatically. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 1.3.5. We are working to ensure the purpose of the field is identified programmatically where possible.

Planning Explorer (supplied by third party)

The issues listed below relate to the Planning Explorer only, and are not evident on other areas of the website maintained by the Council.

  • On the planning explorer, users are not able to skip navigation and move directly to the content. This doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.1.
  • On the planning explorer, some tables do not include a header. This doesn’t meet WCAG success criterion 1.3.1.
  • On the planning explorer there are some duplicate IDs. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 4.1.1.
  • On the planning explorer some forms do not define explicit text labels for each form control. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 1.3.1. 
  • On the planning explorer some forms do not have a submit button. This doesn't meet WCAG success criterion 3.2.2.

The Council will work closely with our third party supplier to rectify these issues.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDF Documents published before 2018

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Pre-recorded audio files

The accessibility regulations do not require a transcription for audio files published prior to 23rd September 2020.

Non-accessible content

Despite our best efforts to ensure the accessibility of East Staffordshire Borough Council’s corporate website, there may be some limitations.

Below is a description of known limitations, and potential solutions. Please contact us if you observe an issue not listed below.

The content that is not accessible is outlined below with details of:

Third party content

Our site includes third party content and functionality.

Depending on our relationship with the third party, we cannot always guarantee its accessibility.

Assessment approach

East Staffordshire Borough Council assesses the accessibility of its website weekly using Silktide automated reporting and benchmarking.