Council Website Accessibility: Understanding Assertion 10 AGAR (and Why It Matters)

If you manage a town or parish council website, website accessibility isn’t just “nice to have” — it’s a legal requirement. One area that often causes confusion is Assertion 10 AGAR, and how it directly links to your website compliance.

In this guide, we’ll break down what Assertion 10 AGAR means, what your council needs to do, and how to stay compliant while improving your website for all users.

---

What is Assertion 10 AGAR?

Assertion 10 AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return) confirms that:

“The authority has complied with the publication requirements for the previous year.”

In simple terms, your council must demonstrate that it has:

• Published all required documents
• Made them accessible to the public
• Ensured they meet accessibility standards

This includes financial reports, meeting minutes, policies, and governance documents — most of which are hosted on your website.

---

Why Accessibility is Critical for Councils

Under UK law, public sector websites must comply with accessibility regulations aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
These requirements are defined under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations, as outlined on GOV.UK.

This means your website must be:

• Perceivable (e.g. images have alt text)
• Operable (keyboard navigation works)
• Understandable (clear structure and language)
• Robust (compatible with assistive technologies)

Failure to meet these standards can result in:

• Complaints from residents
• Formal investigations
• Reputational damage
• Non-compliance with Assertion 10 AGAR

If your site suffers from these issues, it may be worth reviewing your current setup or considering a more modern, accessible approach to website design and structure.

---

Common Website Accessibility Issues in Council Websites

From experience working with councils, the most frequent problems include:

1. Inaccessible PDFs

• Missing alt text on images
• No document title
• Not tagged for screen readers
• Scanned documents instead of proper text

2. Poor Website Structure

• Incorrect heading hierarchy (H1, H2, etc.)
• Links that say “click here” instead of meaningful text
• Missing navigation landmarks

3. Missing Website Accessibility Statement

Every council website must include a clear accessibility statement outlining:

• Compliance level
• Known issues
• Contact details for reporting problems

For councils with large document libraries, a structured review process or a free website audit can quickly highlight accessibility gaps.

---

How Assertion 10 AGAR Links to Your Website

Your website is the primary evidence for Assertion 10.

If your documents are:

• Hard to access
• Not readable by assistive tech
• Missing required information

…then your council may not meet the publication requirements.

👉 In other words: poor accessibility = risk of failing Assertion 10 AGAR

---

How to Make Your Council Website Compliant

Many councils rely on specialist providers offering dedicated support for council websites to ensure these requirements are consistently met.
Here’s a practical checklist as a council officer you can follow:

1. Fix Your PDFs

• Add document titles
• Include alt text for images
• Tag documents properly
• Ensure text is selectable (not scanned images)

2. Improve Website Content

• Use proper heading structures (H1 → H2 → H3)
• Write descriptive link text
• Ensure good colour contrast

3. Add / Update Your Website Accessibility Statement

Make sure it includes:

• Current compliance status
• Any known issues
• Contact details
• Enforcement procedure reference

4. Regularly Audit Your Site

Accessibility isn’t a one-time job — it’s ongoing.

---

Website Accessibility: Think Beyond Compliance

Accessibility isn’t just about ticking boxes for Assertion 10 AGAR.

It’s about making sure:

• Residents can access important information
• Older users and those with disabilities aren’t excluded
• Your council is transparent and accountable

Many councils are now combining accessibility improvements with wider digital strategies, including AI-driven tools and automation.

A well-structured, accessible website also improves:

• SEO rankings
• User experience
• Engagement with your community

---

Final Thoughts On Website Accessibility

Assertion 10 AGAR is more than a governance requirement — it’s a clear signal that your council is meeting its responsibilities to the public.

By improving your website accessibility, you’re not only ensuring compliance but also creating a better, more inclusive experience for everyone who relies on your services.

If you’re unsure whether your website meets Assertion 10 AGAR requirements, you can request a free council website audit or speak to our team directly.

You can also see examples of our work and feedback from other organisations on our reviews and testimonials page.