Havant Borough
Council
Disability Access
Group
Agenda
Thursday November 26th
2009, 2pm in Committee Room 1 (first floor) Civic Offices
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1.
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Apologies and welcome
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|
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2.
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Minutes of last meeting - 6 August
2009
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| 3. |
Matters arising
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| 4. |
Adele Maher – Public Service Village
Consultation
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2.15pm |
| 5. |
Waterlooville Sainsbury’s Village Consultation –
postponed
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| 6. |
The Terms Of Reference
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| 7. |
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2009 – Group Update
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| 8. |
AOB
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| 9. |
Date of next meeting and close
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4.00pm |
If you have any special requirements please
contact 02392 446007 caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
If you require this in large print or
alternative format please contact Caren Ransom on
023 9244 6007 or caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
Access Group Meeting
Minutes
26 November 2009
1.
Present/Apologies
Apologies:
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Cllr. Faith Ponsonby
|
HBC
|
|
Lynne Rigby
|
Portsmouth Disability Forum
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Present:
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Cllr. Terry
Hart
(TH)
|
HBC
(chair)
|
|
Caren
Ransom
(CR)
|
HBC
|
|
Adele
Maher
(AD)
|
HBC
|
|
Alicia
Samuel
(AS)
|
HBC (minutes)
|
|
Sarah Courtney
|
HBC (observing)
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|
Jason
Beasley
(JB)
|
HBC
Access Group
|
|
Gwyneth Fyfield
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Marian Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Tony Le May
|
HBC Access Group
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|
Marc Le May
|
HBC Access Group
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|
Helen Le May
|
HBC Access Group
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|
Fred
Dunford
(FD)
|
HBC Access Group
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|
Andy
Bundy
(AB)
|
HBC Access Group
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Judith
Glenister
(JG)
|
HBC Access Group
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|
Richard
Sturgess (RS)
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Gosport & Fareham Access Officer
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|
Val
Hartridge
(VH)
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HBC Access Group (in attendance for second
half of the meeting)
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2. Minutes of last meeting (6 August
2009)
The following were omitted from the present
list:
Val Hartridge
Judith Glenister
The minutes were agreed as being correct as
per the above changes
3. Matters Arising
FD queried if a gap, (between market stalls in
Waterlooville town centre that has been impeded by tables &
chairs by a café at the top end of the market) was acceptable. He
found that the gap is not easy to pass through, especially for
someone in a wheelchair. CR informed the group that when she last
visited the markets she investigated whether the stalls were set up
correctly, (with the appropriate gaps) and they were. Cllr Hart
clarified that some businesses have planning permission to use the
area for such things but are limited on market days. CR to
investigate
JB updated the group on the accessibility of
the Havant Leisure Centre. The centre’s doors that were in question
will be remaining because they separate a public walkway from
changing rooms. The centre however assured JB that help will be at
hand if anyone needs it. JB met with the manager a few weeks ago
and he was told that the centre will also be enrolling in a course
that helps leisure centres and other public buildings think about
their approach to disabled people and accessibility. As a part of
this, they have requested that two representatives from the Access
Group help them to achieve this certificate through visits and
giving advice etc. JB and JG have been nominated. The course will
begin between now and March 2010
Cllr Hart suggested ways the Access Group
could show their appreciation and give the centre recognition of
their hard work. The group discussed
The group discussed the confusing signs for
wheelchair access for the
CAB
. CR to investigate
4. Adele Maher – Public Service Village
Consultation
AD the Senior Urban Designer at HBC informed
the group of the
PSV
consultation – which has a deadline of 5pm 30 November.
The Public Service Village is a concept of how
the area now known as the Civic Campus could be transformed in the
future into a more identifiable community hub called the Public
Service Village. With top quality services and facilities
accessible to all members of the public, built to the highest
standards. The area currently includes the Civic Offices, the Civic
Campus car park, Havant Health Centre, Havant Methodist Church,
Havant Leisure Centre, Hampshire Police Station, Her Majesty’s
(HM) Courts Service and
Hampshire Probation Service,
BT
telephone Exchange and Job Centre Plus
(Works and Pensions Office); and a range of public service
providers such as Havant Borough Council, Citizens Advice Bureau,
Hampshire Partnership
NHS
Trust, Horizon Leisure Trust
and Hampshire Constabulary.
Following the public consultation period all
comments will be carefully considered and where relevant the
Supplementary Planning Document will be altered. This Draft Havant
Public Service Village Supplementary Planning Document
(
SPD
) sets the
planning framework for future development in the area identified as
the Public Service Village.
Further details can be found at
HBC
’s Havant Public Service Village
webpage:
AD explained that
HBC
as a planning authority is
encouraging the other landowners to develop their areas/offices
similarly. Developing existing areas and investigating options
available is always a preferred choice over selling and moving on.
HBC
will also be
encouraging other services to relocate to the campus, building on
the existing
PSV
. Adult
services are currently proposed to join.
AD told the group that the Civic Offices has a
lot of space at the moment that is not being utilised. Longevity is
the key, to get the best out of assets available and to see the
changes stand the test of time.
There are various initiatives that have
branched from the
PSV
,
including encouraging staff to use public transport rather than to
drive in.
AD told the group that there will be a
separate planning application for the buildings and removal of car
parks, the consultation for this will be around March 2010.
AD informed the group that her team had
received 50 comments via this consultation and encourages the group
to add to this.
AD explained how some students commented on
the document:
Many travel by train to Havant College and
would like improved pathways, footpaths, crossings and see
improvements to the railways’ footbridge.
AD confirmed that
HCC
has already secured funding
to improve the railway footbridge. The footbridge was discussed by
the group: it is proposed that the work will be completed by 2012,
the railway ramp will be widened but the footbridge width will
remain the same.
HCC
will be meeting legislation that states that ‘reasonable’ provision
must be given; despite the fact that each person has different
needs.
CR was surprised at the amount of comments per
the (approx) population of 116,000 of the borough
The group raised some concerns over the
PSV
; AD asked that all
comments be put forward on the consultation forms.
Summary of points that were raised:
· The
group are in favour of the
PSV
· The
group are against shared space
· In
favour in keeping trees and green spaces
· Ensure
disabled users are involved in the planning and design inside and
outside the building
· Safe
crossings
· Concerns
over the current transport network
At this point CR invited the Access Group to
attend the
HCC
Havant
Passenger Transport Forum taking place the following day at 10.00
at the Civic Offices, (Friday 27 November 2009, Committee
Room 1). This would be a good opportunity for the group to further
express issues with access and buses. Those who cannot attend will
email FD any concerns.
CR also gave details on equality impact
assessments that have been introduced in recent years that asses
any impacts brought from policies, strategies and services on
different groups in the community. This process will also be taken
into consideration regarding the
PSV
.
AD distributed forms that can either be handed
into someone at reception or put in the green box that is in
reception. The box at the bottom of the form is for further
comments.
5. Waterlooville Sainsbury’s
Village Consultation
The Waterlooville Sainsbury’s Village
Consultation was postposned as Sainsbury’s has yet to develop their
plans; nevertheless FD gave a brief overview to the group. The
Waterlooville Sainsbury’s is proposing to build a ramp from Matalan
that double backs on itself, to the bus gate, to the service level
crossing, the traffic lights there would then need to be re-phased
(by
HCC
). At the
moment this area is hard to access as the underpass has steps and
the underpass cannot be developed because sewage runs underneath
it. The group were in agreement that the plans seemed like a good
idea; however details were needed to further scrutinise. FD to keep
the group updated.
6. CR used this opportunity to discuss the
Terms Of Reference (
TOR
) of the group
The original
TOR
was drawn up in 2007. CR had
received suggested changes from the group that have been
incorporated in the updated version. The following changes have
been made (changes are in bold):
|
3. Terms of Reference for Partnership of
Havant Borough Council Disability Access Group
3.1 Current membership will
remain (see 1.1) – whilst welcoming any newcomers with an interest
in disabilities and or access. More service areas and when
requested – a greater range of council officers could also
become involved with Group Activities
3.2 Access Group Members will
assist Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council, local
shops and businesses (this list is not exhaustive) with practical
advice concerning disabled access where possible. Any income
generated by the Group will be spent in agreement of the majority
of its members and approved by the Equalities & Access
Officer
Stakeholders:
HBC
Members
HBC Managers and Officers
Access Group Members
Havant residents
HCC
Officers
Havant Community Boards
Havant Community Services
|
The group agreed with the changes
Cllr Hart was happy with suggestions as well
and requested that a signed copy be given to him when
finalised.
The full
TOR
for the group can be found at
HBC
’s Disability Access Group Terms of
Reference web page
7. HBCDAG Action Planning for 2009
- Group Update
The group discussed the updated Action
Plan.
VH commented on some points in the Action
Plan:
· Savings
from the Christmas meal that is planned can go towards the T-shirts
for the group along with income generated from Mystery Shopping
· She
found the
QE
County Park
accessible trail difficult as it was not always smooth, but
considering it’s a country park it was a good trail and they found
the facilities agreeable.
· The new
site questionnaire is now only one sheet/side of paper, so no need
to keep turning pages. It has the same content, just reduced
wording per item (updated by Group members)
· For the
Critical Incident Day in Jan, a secondary school has been decided
on.
· VH
explained that from the
HDNF
meetings the police
contact Neil Goodyear has been keen on a member of the Access Group
visiting the police stations as a mystery shopper, however due to
various commitments it will have to be after Christmas.
The group debated a leaflet campaign against
parking on kerbs, which would involve closer working with local
police and neighbourhood teams.
CR to consult with AB and HBC’s parking team
manager and Legal Services, who will know about parking legalities
and what the group is and is not allowed to do.
*VH to send all future action plan updates
(every 2- 3 months) to AS. AS to update appropriate webpage
8. AOB
JG told the group that there are no shared
spaces in Manchester and Belfast as they have policies against
them.
Cllr Hart to discuss such a policy for
HBC
with AD at a later
date.
The group discussed various guidelines for
indoor and outdoor ramps. The access issue on Hayling Island beach
between October and April was raised, (this is when storm boards
are put between the gaps in the walls) RS suggested consulting the
Department for Transport website – inclusive mobility which will
have guidelines on ramp and hand rail specifications.
AB raised an issue he has been experiencing on
bin collection days – when the bins are put back they obstruct the
path making it difficult or impossible to pass. AB to email details
to CR. CR suggested that the appropriate officers would be informed
with possible training.
*CR informed the group that she is now on a
secondment to
EHDC
, to work one day a
week as an Equalities Officer (not including Access, as her role at
HBC depicts). There is a view for it to be a 50/50 working role
next year, which will mean CR doing one job across two authorities.
A potential partnership could be explored with a synergetic
approach.
EHDC
has a disability
forum but not an access group.
9. Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 11th February 2010,
14.00 – 16.00 Civic Offices, Committee Room 1