{"id":1066,"date":"2026-04-11T16:18:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T15:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/?p=1066"},"modified":"2026-04-11T16:20:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T15:20:31","slug":"assertion-10-agar-and-website-accessibility-compliance-for-councils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/assertion-10-agar-and-website-accessibility-compliance-for-councils\/","title":{"rendered":"Assertion 10 AGAR and Website Accessibility Compliance for Councils"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Council Website Accessibility: Understanding Assertion 10 AGAR (and Why It Matters)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>If you manage a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/local-government\" title=\"Local Government\">town or parish council website<\/a>, website accessibility isn\u2019t just \u201cnice to have\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s a legal requirement. One area that often causes confusion is <strong>Assertion 10 AGAR<\/strong>, and how it directly links to your website compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll break down what <strong>Assertion 10 AGAR<\/strong> means, what your council needs to do, and how to stay compliant while improving your website for all users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Assertion 10 AGAR?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assertion 10 AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return)<\/strong> confirms that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThe authority has complied with the publication requirements for the previous year.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In simple terms, your council must demonstrate that it has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Published all required documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Made them accessible to the public<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensured they meet accessibility standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes financial reports, meeting minutes, policies, and governance documents \u2014 most of which are hosted on your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Accessibility is Critical for Councils<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Under UK law, public sector websites must comply with accessibility regulations aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.<br>These requirements are defined under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/accessibility-requirements-for-public-sector-websites-and-apps\" title=\"Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations\"><strong>Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations<\/strong>,<\/a> as outlined on GOV.UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means your website must be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Perceivable<\/strong> (e.g. images have alt text)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operable<\/strong> (keyboard navigation works)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understandable<\/strong> (clear structure and language)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Robust<\/strong> (compatible with assistive technologies)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Failure to meet these standards can result in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Complaints from residents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Formal investigations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reputational damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-compliance with <strong>Assertion 10 AGAR<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>If your site suffers from these issues, it may be worth reviewing your current setup or considering a more modern, accessible approach to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/web-design\" title=\"Web Design\">website design and structure<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Website Accessibility Issues in Council Websites<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From experience working with councils, the most frequent problems include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Inaccessible PDFs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Missing alt text on images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No document title<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not tagged for screen readers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scanned documents instead of proper text<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Poor Website Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Incorrect heading hierarchy (H1, H2, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Links that say \u201cclick here\u201d instead of meaningful text<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing navigation landmarks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Missing Website Accessibility Statement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every council website must include a clear accessibility statement outlining:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Compliance level<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact details for reporting problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>For councils with large document libraries, a structured review process or a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/free-website-audit-review\" title=\"Free Website Audit Review\">free website audit<\/a><\/strong> can quickly highlight accessibility gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Assertion 10 AGAR Links to Your Website<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your website is the <strong>primary evidence<\/strong> for Assertion 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your documents are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hard to access<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not readable by assistive tech<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing required information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026then your council may not meet the publication requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#x1f449; In other words: <strong>poor accessibility = risk of failing Assertion 10 AGAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Make Your Council Website Compliant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many councils rely on specialist providers offering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.council-website-support\" title=\"Council Website Support\">dedicated support for council websites t<\/a>o ensure these requirements are consistently met.<br>Here\u2019s a practical checklist as a council officer you can follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Fix Your PDFs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add document titles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include alt text for images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tag documents properly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure text is selectable (not scanned images)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Improve Website Content<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use proper heading structures (H1 \u2192 H2 \u2192 H3)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write descriptive link text<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure good colour contrast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Add \/ Update Your Website Accessibility Statement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure it includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Current compliance status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any known issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enforcement procedure reference<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Regularly Audit Your Site<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accessibility isn\u2019t a one-time job \u2014 it\u2019s ongoing.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Website Accessibility<\/strong>: Think Beyond Compliance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Accessibility isn\u2019t just about ticking boxes for Assertion 10 AGAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s about making sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Residents can access important information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Older users and those with disabilities aren\u2019t excluded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your council is transparent and accountable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many councils are now combining accessibility improvements with wider digital strategies, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/ai-tools-for-town-and-parish-councils\" title=\"ai tools for town and parish councils\">AI-driven tools and automation<\/a>.<br><br>A well-structured, accessible website also improves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SEO rankings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>User experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engagement with your community<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts On Website Accessibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Assertion 10 AGAR<\/strong> is more than a governance requirement \u2014 it\u2019s a clear signal that your council is meeting its responsibilities to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By improving your website accessibility, you\u2019re not only ensuring compliance but also creating a better, more inclusive experience for everyone who relies on your services.<br><br>If you\u2019re unsure whether your website meets <strong>Assertion 10 AGAR requirements<\/strong>, you can request a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/free-website-audit-review\" title=\"free council website audit review\">free council website audit<\/a><\/strong> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/contact-widescope\" title=\"Contact Widescope Web Design\">speak to our team directly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/portfolio\" title=\"examples of our work\">examples of our work<\/a> and feedback from other organisations on our <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.widescope.net\/reviews-and-testimonials\" title=\"Widescope reviews and testimonials\">reviews and testimonials<\/a><\/strong> page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Council Website Accessibility: Understanding Assertion 10 AGAR (and Why It Matters) If you manage a town or parish council website, website accessibility isn\u2019t just \u201cnice to have\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s 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\u2019ll [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-seo-search-engine-optimisation"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":false,"list":false,"medium":false,"full":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1066"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1069,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1066\/revisions\/1069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.widescope.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}