Havant Borough Council
Disability Access Group
AGENDA
Thursday
12 February 2009, 2pm in Committee Room 1
(First
floor)
1. Apologies and welcome back to
Cllr Hart
2. Minutes of last
meeting
3. Matters
arising
4.
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2009
– Group
Update
– Officer
Update
5. Date of next
meeting
6. Any other business
If you have any special requirements
please contact Caren Ransom 02392 446007 caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
Access Group
Meeting
Minutes
12 February
2009
If you require this in large print or
alternative format please contact Caren Ransom on
023 9244 6007 or caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
1.
Present/Apologies
Apologies:
|
Val Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Val Hartridge
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Anthony Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Marian Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
Present:
|
Councillor Terry Hart
|
HBC
|
|
Paula Eastwood
|
Havant Job Centre Plus
|
|
Richard
Sturgess (RS)
|
Gosport, Fareham Access Officer
|
|
Frank
Stanley
(FS)
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Fred
Dunford
(FD)
|
Acorn Group
|
|
Jason
Beasley
(JB)
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Gwyneth
Fyfield
(GF)
|
Senior Citizens Travel Club
|
|
Judith
Glenister
(JG)
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Masie
Tucker
(MT)
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Tracey
Ford
(TF)
|
HBC
|
|
Alicia
Samuel
|
HBC
|
|
Tristan Feildsend
|
HBC
|
2. Minutes of last
meeting
Amendment to be made to Item 5, paragraph 6:
‘shop mobility’ changed to shopability.
As per changes, minutes agreed
3. Matters
Arising
Feedback from the visit to Eastoke beach to
look at disabled access (on 23 January 2009) was given. FD
commented that one of the ramps was very steep and the only way he
thought it could be resolved is, if the ramp was made longer.
However this would mean taking over car park spaces. RS added that
there were alternative access points to the beach but they can be
difficult in bad weather. TF confirmed that the path is likely to
get blocked by stones and debris depending on the weather and the
tide. It was also noted that there were no guard rails (for the
partially sighted and blind) but this has been reported to
HBC
officers.
Cllr
Hart will follow up.
TF wanted the group to know that despite her
not viewing the 75 % of applications that she used to; she will
continue to make sure the group gets to scrutinise plans for public
development sites, e.g. colleges, hospitals, large flat
developments etc.
Cllr Hart invited the group to suggest people,
groups and/or organisations that they would like as speakers at any
future
HBCDAG
quarterly meetings. The following were suggested:
· Living
Paintings Association
·
Accessibility in Portsmouth
· Paul
Ramshaw, Head of Regeneration & Planning Policy at Eastleigh
Borough Council on Shared spaces
It was agreed by the group, for JB to organise
for the Accessibility in Portsmouth Group to speak at the next
quarterly meeting on 21 May 2009.
4.
HBCDAG
Action Plan
– Group Update
– Officer Update
The action plan version 2.0 was discussed.
TF informed the group of an error in the
section ‘Promoting Disability Awareness & engaging with local
community (shops/businesses/schools/community groups)’. Dial-a-ride
is actually incorrect and it should be Call and Go.
RS said he will send copies of Gosport’s
Access Groups version of visitibility (an accessible guide
of the Borough) to TF, to help with Havant’s own version.
After the insight visit to Waterlooville
Leisure Centre, improvements will be made. One of which is a hoist
from the changing area to the poolside.
There will be Partnership Working & Formal
Meetings in February and May 09.
Discussions will take place, (at the next drop
in session) about the appointment of a Chair and Vice Chair. The
aim will be for the new appointment to take hold around July
09.
There has been no response to the
DfT
Consultation on prohibition
on double parking at dropped curbs. TF suggested that it may take 6
months and that someone from the group should keep an eye on it
online and for it to be regularly discussed at the drop in
sessions.
A decision on the Civic Campus site will be
made soon (due to the state of the pool). A few problems had arisen
including Campdown which is now gone, (the leisure company has gone
into receivership).
TF also mentioned that a review of training
for new staff will be taking place.
TF asked the group what the update was on the
leaflets. TF to confirm with Caren but it was speculated that there
had to be some changes made to a few words, the grammar used and
updates made.
It was decided that an addition to well being
activities could be an annual lunch, meal or trip (other than
Christmas). The group to arrange for Summer 09.
JG to bring to a drop in session, an article
on blind kurling. A group from Basingstoke recently attended an
event in Hayling Island. The venue was of interest to the
group.
5. AOB
TF informed the group that permission had been
granted for the Oak Park Community hospital last Thursday,
(05/02/09).
TF also updated the group on the new building
for Havant College. It is on hold for the foreseeable future. This
is because there is a conflict over what County authorities and
what the planners want. There are also issues with drainage. This
means that the project is back to the planning stage and the Group
may get to review possible new plans.
JB complained about the temperature of
Committee Room 2 when he attends the fortnightly drop in sessions
on Monday mornings and requested if external heaters could be used.
TF explained that unfortunately this would not be allowed. TF also
went on to say that the heating here at the civic offices gets
turned off Friday afternoon, (and whilst it is closed over the
weekend) and does not get turned back on until Monday morning. This
means that the offices (especially at that particular part of the
building) may take a while to warm up. Possible solutions are
changing the: day of the meeting (so that the day is not the first
day the heating is put back on). Or the time of the meeting, (to
later on, so that there is time for the room to warm up).
TF notified the group that applications are
now available online on a ‘planning portal’. Current planning
applications can be viewed as well as previous, comments can be
made, as well as ones that have been approved, refused and/or
appealed. Corresponding documents can be viewed, (including
environmental and conservation impacts and transport
assessments).
RS thought that it would be a good idea for
the group to view the applications on line and report any issues to
TF.
Applications can be found at the Havant
Borough Council’s website by clicking on: Home > Planning and Environment
> Planning > Development
Control
Or http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-4267
TF to explain in full at the next fortnightly
drop in session, (Monday 16 February 2009).
MT thought that the ‘A’ boards on Park Parade
are a hazard to the blind and people with walking problems. RS
mentioned that Gosport Borough Council decided to licence them
which not only gave them more control but also an added income. TF
explained the policy on ‘A’ boards. They are not allowed on public
highway land without the highways authority’s permission. They are
permitted if it is on private land. TF will look into and advise
Hampshire Highways. TF also reminded the group that if they have
any issues such as this, to inform reception/customer services, who
will either make sure it is dealt with or that the complaint is
passed to the correct authority.
JB queried if external fire lifts would be
installed if the Civic offices were refurbished. TF confirmed that
this was unlikely and mentioned that the fire exit stair wells have
a 3 hour fire refuse. This led onto discussions on the future of
the civic offices, as they are now. As well as various options that
are available.
TF informed the group that the new disabled
lifts at Havant train station will be completed April/May time as
Havant was given priority on this matter.
The Hayling Billy Trail proposal between
Langstone Road and the Sailing Club (opposite shipping) was
reviewed. The proposal is to change the footpath at Langstone High
Street to where the existing Billy trail comes out, to shared use.
Cycles at the moment already use this part of the trail, so it is
just formalising this. The area will not be segregated but the
cycles will be outside of the oak tree.
TF used the opportunity to update the group on
the bid for a signalised crossing. It has not happened yet as
requirements based on the amount of users will not be met; however
with possible changes to entrance points and waiting areas near the
sailing club, it might be possible soon.
There is also a proposal for the Mill lane
part of the trail. Different associations want different surface
types. Bound (for all weather) or an unbound surface which can be
difficult if scooters and horse riders use it in wet weather.
Billy trails sweeping process was
discussed.
Plans to be given to the Group at the next
drop in session, to review in detail.
GF complained about the disabled toilets at
Barely Mow Pub/restaurant in Hayling Island. She found the radiator
too hot for touch, (where it is located she found she could not
avoid it) and suggested a radiator guard. TF to pass comments to
Caren.
On the subject of disabled toilets, JB finds
it hard getting in and out of the one closet to the Committee
Rooms, here at the Civic Offices. TF confirmed that it is the
correct size and mentioned that although it is a disabled toilet,
some people may find it difficult and others may find easy to get
in and out depending on their type of disability. Based on this, if
changes were made some may find those changes difficult to manage.
JB also thinks that the pull-handle should be on the other side at
it is difficult to reach over and flush. TF to pass onto Caren to
look into.
MT questioned if she needed to return her bus
pass. TF verified that although returning bus passes is not as
important as it used to be, (because they are now national passes),
she advised that MT should contact her new local authority for a
new one. Once this has arrived, send back the Havant Borough
Council’s bus pass. This will help with budgeting for renewal
passes at both authorities. TF also suggested contacting her new
local authority to find out what services are available and are
provided, as each council works differently.
Councillor Hart wished Masie Tucker farewell
and good luck with her move to her new home in Goring.
6. Date of the next
meeting
21 May 2009 – 2pm