Havant Borough
Council
Disability Access
Group
Agenda
Thursday 6 August 2009, 2pm in
Committee Room 1 (First floor)
1. Apologies and
welcome
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Matters
arising
4. Susan Kerby
- Service Development Librarian (East Hants and
Havant)
Libraries and Information
5. McPherson, Shona –
“Mystery Shopper”
HCC
Access Officer
6. Jason Beasley – Accessible
Services
7. HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2009
– Group Update
8. Date of next
meeting
9. Any other
business
Access Group Meeting
Minutes
6 August 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:
Present:
|
Cllr. Terry
Hart
(TH)
|
HBC
(chair)
|
|
Jason
Beasley
(JB)
|
HBC
Access Group
|
|
Jeff
Crate
(JC)
|
HBC
|
|
Tracey
Ford
(TF)
|
HBC
|
|
Gwyneth Fyfield
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Iris
Hendry
(IH)
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Susan Kerby
|
HCC Library Service
|
|
Marian Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Tony Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Martyn Lendrum
|
HBC (minutes)
|
|
Shona McPherson
|
HCC Access Team
|
|
Maggie Macbeth
|
Havant Adult Services - HCC
|
|
Caren
Ransom
(CR)
|
HBC
|
|
Val Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Richard
Sturgess (RS)
|
Gosport & Fareham Access Officer
|
| Val Hartridge |
HBC Access Group
|
| Judith Glenister |
HBC Access Group
|
2. Minutes of last Meeting
The minutes were agreed as being correct, with
the following amendments.
3. Matters Arising
Page 3
Beach access has not yet been installed at
Eastoke beach. Discussions with the Coastal Defence Team
(
HBC
) have resulted in
4 options being put forward, for consideration, installation will
be this year. The Group has opted for one of those options and fed
back to
HBC
.
The meeting with Paul Ramshaw will be held
over to the next meeting.
CR stated her thanks that the statement, made
by RS, regarding the new legislation on the dropped kerb penalty,
had been minuted.
TF stated that the construction work on the
Hayling Billy Trail at Mill Lane and the Sailing Club, Langstone,
is due to start this month with funding for a Toucan crossing at
Langstone Road. The path would be of a bound surface
type. It was also reported that the local Electricity Company
wishes to renew the underground high voltage electrical cable.
Page 4
Following on from the visit of Sophie Iles to
the last meeting, the group have expressed an interest in the
activity of Kurling. However, being a multi-disabled group, they
felt that a multi-sport grouping would be better.
There was interest in having ‘taster sessions’
of various sports at the local colleges, if these could be
arranged.
Page 5
For those wishing to apply for the Attendance
Allowance it was stated the application form was available in
Braille (feedback from the previous meeting and the Pension
Service)
A consultation document is being launched by
the Government regarding withdrawing disability benefits. (Arising
from a recent Green Paper).
The question was asked as to what would happen
if the withdrawal of this benefit were to take place. RS
replied that there are other means tested benefits available and
there would be Transitional Protection, it was however, only a
consultation document at the present time.
CR will ensure at the next drop in meeting
(17/08/2009) the documents from the website, would be available to
the Group and she will go through them with the Group.
Page 7
CR reported that the version of the last
minutes, published on the internet, were not the same as the hard
copies made available; the word ‘auditing’ in the last paragraph is
incorrect.
Page 8 - Correction
CR reported that the second paragraph should
read; ‘mystery shopper’ in Havant, not Winchester.
4. Service Development Librarian
(East Hants and Havant) Libraries and Information – Susan
Kerby
Susan Kerby, who is based at Petersfield but
visits all libraries in the area, gave a brief description of the
services run by the library services.
These include: an Access Card which allows any
user to hire up to 2
DVD
’s
or CD’s for free as well as
books for free, any above this number will be charged. The card
also has the advantage of taking away the threat of overdue fines.
To get one, all you have to do is ask.
Other services offered are; computers linked
to the internet, using Supernova software, which magnifies the text
on screen; mobile libraries; the new vans have been fitted platform
lifts for easy access; home library service, staffed by volunteers;
community library link which allow you to order books over the
internet; audio books; large print books, which contain the whole
story, not an abridged version; and electronic books which can be
downloaded, but with speech removed.
Havant Library, unlike Leigh Park Library,
does not have
CCTV
coverage, has been reorganised with the improved layout giving more
space, members commented on how much better it is now. It
also has a Learning Centre which is able to offer a limited number
of courses.
It is now possible to do volunteering within
the Library Service, there is no age restriction. There is a
full training programme available. They also run ‘Coffee Pot
Mornings’ at which you able to talk to library staff, or try
out/taster sessions of computer courses.
Waterlooville Library will be closing at
Christmas for a big update. The mobile library will be covering for
the period of closure. Consultation with the Access Officer
will need to take place to address any issued which may arise.
5. ‘Mystery Shopper’ Shona
McPherson – HCC Access Officer
Shona stated that it is 7/8 years since a
‘Mystery Shopper’ exercise was carried out and it would be useful
to revisit areas surveyed previously. The shopper packs, are fairly
self explanatory, have been distributed.
Members of the group will visit as normal
everyday shoppers and report their findings back to the Access
Officer. The findings will be fed back to the retailers for their
comments.
The shopper packs are not available in
Braille. The e-mail address as quoted is incorrect. The
question was raised as to whether dogs accompanying the shoppers
would be allowed (they are). For returning the information it is
possible to use the internet, for those without a computer you will
are able to telephone Hants Direct.
JC asked that if any member of the group
experiences any problems with market stalls or pathways, within
Havant and Waterlooville markets, would they please inform CR. He
personally does not know of any. Some members did mention that
there were not many gaps at Waterlooville; JC reported, however,
that there were designated gaps and promised to provide the Group
with plans of the market stalls.
After the meeting closed the group met to
discuss the details of the visits.
6. Accessible Services – Jason
Beasley
JB reported on the fact that the doors of the
Havant Leisure Centre are very heavy to open. In response the
leisure centre have said that the doors are not to be renewed or
altered, but anyone having difficulties should contact a member of
staff for assistance. Councillor Hart has written a letter to
the leisure centre with regard to this problem.
Members of the group reported that, at various
locations, throughout the Borough, the outside assistance buttons
for disabled persons use are either missing or not working.
Likewise the door bell at the Parchment Makers has not worked for
about the last couple of years.
IH reported that people with complaints
regarding MacDonalds should address them to the Head Office of the
company, now that the branch is no longer operated as a
franchise.
TF gave a report on the new mixed
use/pedestrian/shared space area in Brighton highlighting the
various hazards for disabled people, and for visually impaired
people it was virtually a no go area. The area is held up as being
one of good design/integration.
It was agreed that the discussion for ‘shared
spaces’ be deferred until the meeting with Paul Ramshaw.
TF reported that the
CAB
has moved into the Civic
Offices, taking over an area on the first floor. Entry is by
means of the door at the side of the building near to the small car
park.
There is a big step on the outside of the door
with a flight of steps up to the offices. For disabled person
wishing to their services they are advised to use the main
entrances to the Civic Offices, report to reception, who will
contact the
CAB
who
will then come and collect their visitor and escort them to and
from their offices.
Internal staff badges do not work on the doors
leading to their offices. It will be necessary to discus with
the access group the signage that is necessary. An additional
disabled bay will need to be provided in the car park.
The move is part of the proposal for the
Public Service Village, here at the Civic Offices. Also due
to move in is the staff from Town End House and Riverside House
along with other agencies including the
NHS
, who already has a presence in
the building.
7. HBCDAG Action Planning for
2009 – Group Update
CR highlighted some of the points from the
current Action Plan:
Review and agree Terms of Ref:- in place by
next meeting.
Colour leaflets:- delivered in May, all now
distributed.
Special Needs Information day in July:- needs
to be more child and family oriented, the groups stand was well
visited, but there is much overlapping between groups.
Science Fair 2010 dates now provided
Bidbury Junior School, need for service user
visit.
Mystery Shopper:- to take place in August.
New site questionnaire-: needs to be ‘hold in
hand size’, user friendly, fairly basic.
New Havant Diversity network:- has
representatives from this group to represent profile of
Borough.
Disability Access:- group is open to all, not
only Council, needs to be made clear on website. Voluntary
sector network needs link to access group.
Consultations:- discussions with planners on
Core Strategy, and democratic services on voting consultation has
taken place.
Winchester High Street refurbishment:- access
group has been involved with regard to access issues.
Shared Spaces –
RNIB
– Ashford:-
group lobbied at the event held June 6th.
Mobility demonstration:- open to group, staff
and residents, needs to be better advertised. However, event
was well attended. There was a good show of scooters, and
other mobility aids.
8. AOB
TH read an e-mail from Caroline Devlin who
apologised for not being present at the meeting.
PALS is no longer an independent charity, it
is now part of the Enable Ability Charity (formerly the CP in
Portsmouth). They will still provide the same service to families
as before in the same geographical area.
PALS provide a monthly programme of activities
in leisure and sport to young people aged 6 – 18 with physical
disabilities; they are looking to increase this age to 21. Funding
is being sought. Activities take place during weekday evenings,
weekends and during school holidays at local venues. The volunteers
help and support the young people as necessary so that can take a
full and active part in the activities.
They make a charge towards the cost of the
activities but not for the support that the young person needs.
9. Date of the next meeting
Thursday 26th November 2009 at 2
pm.