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AGAR Assertion 10 for Parish and Town Councils

Understand it. Evidence it. Move forward.

Assertion 10 was introduced in the 2025/26 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). It asks councils to confirm they have digital and data governance in place, including website accessibility. Most councils are still catching up. This is where to start.

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Five things your council needs to know

It is here to stay. Assertion 10 will appear in every AGAR from 2025/26 onwards.

It covers more than websites. Accessibility, UK GDPR, council-owned email, IT policies, and transparency requirements are all in scope.

PSBAR applies to every council, regardless of size. Under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR), your website must meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

Evidence matters more than perfection. Auditors want to see action documented, not a flawless website.

Your PDFs count too. Minutes, agendas and notices fall under the same rules as your website, and they are where we find the most issues.

Quick guide to Assertion 10
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How Assertion 10 is reviewed

Before submission, councils go through an internal audit where governance records and compliance evidence are checked. The full council then formally approves the Annual Governance Statement, answering Yes or No to each assertion.

A Yes to Assertion 10 means your council can demonstrate digital compliance is being actively managed. That makes accessibility a governance responsibility, not just a website task.

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Does your council have an Accessibility Statement?

It is a legal requirement under PSBAR and one of the first things an auditor will look for when reviewing Assertion 10. It should explain what is accessible, what is not, and what you plan to do about it.

Most parish councils either do not have one or have one that is out of date. It is one of the quickest wins available.

Download our free Accessibility Statement checklist

Six reasons to act now

Build a clear evidence trail

Walk into your AGAR submission with documented proof of what was checked, what was found, and what steps were taken.

Serve every resident

For some people in your parish, an inaccessible website is a complete barrier. That is not a small thing.

Answer the auditor's questions with confidence

Councils that cannot evidence accessibility efforts may face additional scrutiny. Get ahead of that now.

Tackle the PDF backlog

Every week councils publish more inaccessible documents. Starting now means a smaller problem later.

Keep it manageable

Start with a scan, build an accessibility statement, and prioritise high-traffic content. It is achievable alongside everything else clerks are managing.

Show your community you mean it

An accessible website tells residents their council is thinking about all of them, not just some of them.

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The PDF problem

Exporting a document as a PDF does not make it accessible. Most do not meet the standard, and most councils do not know it.

Common problems include:

  • Missing heading structures and reading order
  • Low colour contrast
  • Scanned documents screen readers cannot interpret
  • Missing document tags and navigation

Identifying which documents are creating barriers is a practical first step, and one we can help with.

Get your Free PDF Accessibility Checklist
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This is not a

one-time job

Auditors want to see that accessibility is being monitored over time, not just checked once. That means:

  • Regular website accessibility scans
  • An up-to-date accessibility statement
  • A record of issues found and steps taken
  • Checking new content before it is published

Identifying which documents are creating barriers is a practical first step, and one we can help with.

What are the risks of doing nothing?

From audit failures to legal action, the risks of doing nothing are real.

Legal action: Fines and enforcement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Audit failure: Unable to evidence Assertion 10 at internal or external audit.

Reputational damage: Within your community and among neighbouring councils.

Residents locked out: People with disabilities unable to access information they have a right to.

Growing document backlog: Inaccessible PDFs piling up with no plan to address them.

No evidence trail: Nothing to show if a formal complaint is made.

Free Resources for Parish and Town Councils

Everything below is free and built with parish and town councils in mind.

A Quick Guide to AGAR Assertion 10 and Accessibility for Local Councils

A Quick Guide to AGAR Assertion 10 and Accessibility for Local Councils

Everything your council needs to know about Assertion 10, what it requires, what evidence looks like, and what proportionate action means in practice. 

Read the guide
Two council employees review a document on a tablet, alongside text reading “The hidden cost of inaccessible PDFs for UK councils.”

The Hidden Cost of Inaccessible PDFs for UK Councils

Why the documents your council publishes every week may be creating barriers for residents, and what you can do about it.

Explore the hidden costs

Creating an Accessible PDF Checklist 

Most parish councils publish inaccessible PDFs without knowing it. This checklist tells you what to check before publishing minutes, agendas and notices.

Get Your Free Checklist
Website Accessibility WCAG Checker

Free Website Accessibility Scan

Run a free accessibility scan to detect any inaccessibility on your homepage and discover how to fix it.
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“We really want to meet the needs of the people who live and work in Preston, and we believe the tools Recite Me offer helps us achieve this. Recite Me helps us by making our website and content accessible for all.”

Ian Heslop, Digital and Web Manager, Preston City Council