Cookies

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For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. For example, the selections you make here about which cookies to accept are stored in a cookie.

You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics Cookies

We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Third Party Cookies

Third party cookies are ones planted by other websites while using this site. This may occur (for example) where a Twitter or Facebook feed is embedded with a page. Selecting to turn these off will hide such content.

Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to the Thurnham Parish Council website:

www.thurnhamparishcouncil.gov.uk

This website is run by Thurnham Parish Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website and have taken steps to improve accessibility and usability for all visitors.

For example, users should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts
  • zoom in up to 300% without text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using only a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader, including the latest versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver

We have also aimed to make website content as clear and simple as possible to understand.

For guidance on making your device easier to use if you have a disability, please visit:

AbilityNet Accessibility Guidance

How Accessible This Website Is

We know that some parts of this website are not yet fully accessible. These issues are detailed in the “Non-accessible Content” section below.

Feedback and Contact Information

If you require information from this website in an alternative format such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact the Parish Clerk:

Email: clerk@thurnhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01634 867173

Write to:
Thurnham Parish Council
4 Birkhall Close
Chatham
Kent
ME5 7QD

We will consider your request and respond within 15 working days.

Reporting Accessibility Problems With This Website

We are continually seeking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you encounter any accessibility issues not listed on this page or believe we are not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact:

Mrs S Babington
Parish Clerk

Email: clerk@thurnhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: 01634 867173

Write to:
Thurnham Parish Council
4 Birkhall Close
Chatham
Kent
ME5 7QD

Enforcement Procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS):

Equality Advisory and Support Service

Technical Information About This Website’s Accessibility

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

Compliance Status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible Content

Non-compliance With Accessibility Regulations

Some website elements currently do not fully meet accessibility standards. These include:

  • Certain footer links, sidebar share links and dropdown menu icons may not meet colour contrast requirements in some high-contrast viewing modes. This may fail WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast Minimum (AA) and WCAG 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (AA).
  • Some social media links and external links may not always provide sufficient descriptive text for screen reader users. This may fail WCAG 2.4.4 Link Purpose (A).
  • Within the email alerts sign-up feature, some checkbox labels may not be fully announced to screen reader users when navigating by keyboard. This may fail WCAG 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A).

Many of these elements are provided through the website supplier’s platform and are outside the direct control of the Parish Council. The Council continues to work with the website provider, HugoFox, to improve accessibility where possible.

Disproportionate Burden

Thurnham Parish Council has not made any disproportionate burden claims at this time.

Content Outside the Scope of the Accessibility Regulations

PDFs and Other Documents

Some older PDF and Word documents published before 23 September 2018 may not be fully accessible. These documents are exempt from the accessibility regulations unless they are essential to providing a service.

Where possible, newer documents are being reviewed and converted into accessible formats. If you require an accessible version of any document, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Some documents published by the Council may originate from third parties and are provided in formats which cannot be altered by the Council. These are exempt under the regulations.

Planning Tracker

This website uses a Planning Tracker service linked to information provided by Maidstone Borough Council. This service is operated by a third party and is outside the direct control of Thurnham Parish Council.

Some accessibility issues within the Planning Tracker may include:

  • keyboard focus indicators not always being visible
  • form fields lacking sufficient labels for assistive technologies

These may fail WCAG 2.4.7 Focus Visible (AA), WCAG 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (AA), and WCAG 3.3.2 Labels and Instructions (A).

Online Maps

Some maps displayed on the website are used for illustrative purposes only and are exempt from accessibility regulations. If you require information contained within maps in an alternative accessible format, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Third Party Content

Some areas of the website contain third-party content or features provided by external suppliers. Thurnham Parish Council does not control or develop these features directly.

What We Are Doing to Improve Accessibility

Thurnham Parish Council continues to work with the website provider, HugoFox, to improve website accessibility and address identified issues where possible.

Preparation of This Accessibility Statement

This statement was originally prepared on 22 September 2020 and was last reviewed on 14 May 2026. The statement will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes to the website and accessibility requirements.