Saffron Walden Town Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This accessibility statement applies to:
www.saffronwalden.gov.uk
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and the exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons:
(a) non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
- Images without appropriate alternative text
Some decorative and informative images do not include suitable text alternatives. This may affect users who rely on screen readers.
(WCAG 2.2 – 1.1.1 Non-text Content) - Insufficient colour contrast
In some areas, text and interface elements do not meet minimum colour contrast requirements, which may make content difficult to read for users with visual impairments.
(WCAG 2.2 – 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) - Heading structure inconsistencies
Some pages do not use headings in a logical or consistent order, which can make navigation more difficult for users of assistive technologies.
(WCAG 2.2 – 1.3.1 Info and Relationships) - Unclear link text
Some links do not clearly describe their destination when read out of context.
(WCAG 2.2 – 2.4.4 Link Purpose) - Keyboard Focus points
There are areas of the site where the keyboard focus is not visible. This is due to the website theme used to build the site.
(WCAG 2.2 – 2.4.7 Focus Visible) - Content on hover
When the keyboard tabs or mouse hovers over the navigation bar dropdown menus, there is no mechanism to dismiss the additional content triggered without moving pointer hover or keyboard focus.
(WCAG 2.2 – 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus) - Buttons must have discernable text
Some buttons are missing a descriptive accessible name, so that screen reader users can understand the destination, purpose, function, or action of the button.
(WCAG 2.2 – 4.1.2 Name Role Value)
We are working to resolve these issues as part of our ongoing website improvements.
(b) disproportionate burden
The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018, if they’re not essential to providing our services.
This website contains PDFs and Word documents that are essential to providing our service and these have been checked and fixed for accessibility.
There may be third-party content on our website that we do not own and therefore cannot fix in order to make it fully accessible. Where we come across these we will endeavour to redirect to more accessible html pages.
It is a disproportionate burden to update and make fully accessible other non-essential older documents that predate 23 September 2023, including unsubtitled video content.
(c) Content not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Third-party content
Some content and functionality provided by third-party services (for example, embedded maps or social media feeds) may not fully meet accessibility standards. These are not under our direct control.
Where possible, accessible alternatives will be provided.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 31st March 2026.
It was prepared following a self-assessment of the website’s accessibility against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.
The statement was last reviewed on 31st March 2026.
Feedback and contact information
If you encounter any accessibility barriers on this website or require information in an alternative format (such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read or audio), please contact us:
- Email: enquiries@saffronwalden.gov.uk
- Contact form: https://www.saffronwalden.gov.uk/contact-us
We will consider your request and respond as soon as possible.
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).
https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/
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Statement Dated: April 2026