Oxford City Council is spending £1.63m to upgrade its community facilities in line with disability rights laws.

But its deputy leader has questioned whether all the planned alterations are necessary.

Access and services at the council's community centres, sports pavilions and cemeteries are being improved to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, premises run by public bodies such as councils, universities and schools must meet new standards by October 2004 or risk prosecution. Modifications include the provision of disabled parking, toilets, stairlifts and handrails.

Visual fire alarms are needed for the hard of hearing along with colour-contrasting decorations and special signs for the partially sighted.

The council is planning alterations at 86 of its facilities.

Iffley Fields councillor and deputy council leader Bill Baker, however, questioned the need for new wheelchair access at Donnington Community Centre, which will cost £11,000.

He said he knew someone who was able to get round all areas of the centre in an electric wheelchair without any difficulty.

He said: "All I am saying is that it should be checked because it's a big bill and we need to know if it's necessary.

"While Donnington Community Centre is accessible to one person in a wheelchair, I also realise that Government legislation states that doors have to be a certain width and I would expect the council to abide by the law."

The council spent £250,000 on improvements last year. This year, £500,000 has been allocated.

Bob Price, the council's executive member for property, said a backlog of maintenance work was being tackled with this money at the same time as the disability improvements.

He said: "The officer has been round with a tape measure and only included jobs that needed doing, but if there has been a mistake, we can see what we can do."