Havant Borough
Council
Disability Access
Group
Agenda
Thursday February
11th 2010, 2pm in Committee Room 1 (first floor) Civic
Offices
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1.
|
Apologies and welcome from the Chair, Cllr Terry
Hart
|
|
|
2.
|
Minutes of last meeting which can be found
at:
Click here to
link to the 2009 Quarterly Meetings
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| 3. |
Matters arising
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|
| 4. |
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2009 – Group Update (VH)
|
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| 5. |
Havant Public Service Village
– community engagement about customer service (Share D’All
Hampshire County Council)
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3.00pm |
| 6. |
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
Access Group Meeting Minutes
11 February 2010
1.
Present/Apologies
Apologies:
|
Judith
Glenister
(JG)
|
HBC
Access Group
|
|
Caren
Ransom
(CR)
|
HBC
|
Present:
|
Cllr. Terry
Hart
(TH)
|
HBC
(chair)
|
|
Alicia
Samuel
(AS)
|
HBC
(minutes)
|
|
Cllr. Faith Ponsonby
(FP)
|
HBC
|
|
Fred
Dunford
(FD)
|
HBCDAG
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Val
Hartridge
(VH)
|
HBCDAG
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|
Val
Stanley
(VS)
|
HBCDAG
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Richard
Sturgess (RS)
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Gosport & Fareham Access Officer
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Share
D’All (SD)
|
HCC
(from 3pm, for item 5)
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|
|
|
2.
Minutes of last meeting (26 November 2009)
The minutes were agreed as correct
3.
Matters Arising
Page 3 under matters arising on the last set
of minutes – the gap between tables & Chairs and market stalls
was looked at by Jeff Crate. The group agreed to keep an eye on the
issue especially when the weather improves.
The group discussed item 5 on the last
meetings agenda (The Waterlooville Sainsbury’s Village
Consultation). They have agreed to have public toilets, which will
be the only ones in the area; nonetheless they will not be on the
ground floor making access a little difficult.
They are also considering a 3 hour car parking
stay after comments from the public (originally planned for 2
hours).
The group discussed the benefits of this
(encouraging people to go to the town centre as well).
Cllr Ponsonby raised an issue an associate of
hers had on Solent Road, they are not very mobile and got a parking
ticket but managed to appeal against it and win based on her
disability.
4.
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2010
Members
Update (VH)
VH updated the group on a few points on the
Action Plan:
New easy read leaflets have been developed
(the wording has been shortened).
The T-shirts are complete – they are white
with the
HBCDAG
logo
on one side, (the used them for the recent Critical Incident
Day).
The name badges are complete – completed by FD
(they again were used during the Critical Incident Day).
As mentioned they took part in the Critical
Incident Day for Schools in January. There were a couple of
criticisms which was a part of the Groups feedback to Jackie
Jones.
After the success of this, the Education
Business Partnership (
EBP
) asked the Group to
take part in a similar day at the Charter Academy in Portsmouth. VH
explained that they have been reluctant to pay travel expenses for
this trip.
For previous events CR has agreed to pay
travel expenses from the budget however to pay for travel outside
the borough seems unfair, especially since with the equipment
needed they will need to take 2-3 cars.
The Group agreed with RS who thought that to
claim ‘reasonable expenses’ when invited to help at an event
outside the borough would be fair.
The Group did not want to set a precedence by
expecting the group to travel across Hampshire and perhaps beyond
with out being able to claim reasonable travel expenses.
Cllr Hart thought that even though there was
no particular budget for the Group through
HBC
, because the Group promotes
HBC
through its work it
could find some extra funding this way. Cllr Hart went onto suggest
a partnership payment scheme with
EBP
.
Cllr H to discuss budgets with Nigel Smith and
look into cross department support for the Group.
The Science Fair will now be the
4th March 2010
The Waterlooville Police Station Mystery Shop
is complete - Gwyneth Fyfield had visited the station (not as a
mystery shopper) and got shown around and recently VH visited (as a
mystery shopper) and found the public areas were all accessible
(with push buttons etc.).
Havant and Hayling Police stations are still
outstanding. FD tried to visit Hayling Island’s. He checked their
website for opening times and found that it had incorrect
information on it, as when he turned up the site was closed. Worse
than this, the phone that they have to call for assistance was
blocked by cones. When he complained about this they suggested
making an appointment which defeats the concept of mystery
shopping. FD will try again in the near future.
VH informed the Group that they have been
invited by Andrew Wheeler to attend a play/fun day on the
27th March 2010 12.00 -15.00 at Staunton Community
School. The day is aimed at families and 0-19 year olds but is open
to everyone. The Group has been asked to do some kurling or
possibly Boccia and have a stand as well.
On 28th January 2010, JG went to
Winchester.
HCC
had
asked representatives from access groups across the county to help
review the roads. Shared areas were discussed at this meeting with
a couple of borough/towns having banned them.
5. Havant Public Service Village
– community engagement
about customer service (3pm
Share D’All Hampshire County
Council)
SD shared a presentation on the Havant
Public Service Village with the group.
She asked for the Groups comments and feedback
on the different ways that customers can be dealt with.
The following was raised and discussed:
With the system which means the customer takes
a number and waits their turn:
· Different number sets/ colours
or areas to separate – possibility of confusion
· People often get fed up and
leave before their number is called, so it can be difficult to know
when your number will be called, (not in order).
· Limited parking may affect this
system
· Providing an estimate waiting
time would be helpful
· Calling out the persons name
and/or details raises security and privacy issues – it was
suggested that numbers are used instead of names
· Implications for those with
audio and visual impairments
· The group suggested an
appointment system (based on specific reasons) for those who can’t
stand for periods of time.
· Also having a fast track check
in (like some doctors surgeries) was approved by the Group
· The Group agreed that they liked
it when a person came out to greet them when they have appointments
rather that than an automated system -but again this may
raise security and privacy concerns
· They will have to make sure that
there is enough space to manoeuvre around queues. This is often a
difficulty in queues that are channelled around in loops.
· If there will be waiting, it was
suggested that there be activities, or other distractions for
children so that the adults can concentrate on what they came in
for. But also to have appropriate seating.
· Further concessions were
suggested such as a crèche or refreshments (tea & coffee
etc.).
· A request to have informal areas
to meet and discuss things in semi privacy (like in the current
reception area) was made.
· Parking was discussed – AD
confirmed that no final decisions have been made. It is possible
that a small area will still be available for short stays similar
to now. The group requested that the disabled parking bays be
increased or alternatively a drop off point be provided.
· The new technology that is
proposed was discussed – the group wanted assurances that they
would be machines accessible by those in wheelchairs – including
the screen. FD often finds that tilted screens are not always
considerate of those in wheelchairs. It is either that they are too
difficult to view and/or the touch screen options does not line up
when viewed from a different angle/height.
· The Group considered how
important it was to invest in technology – more people are more
literate with advancing technology and it is second nature to many.
Nonetheless face to face interaction should never be ruled out
· RS to email SD details of
guidance available on the 'Design of buildings and their approaches
to meet the needs of disabled people’ as this will have information
on this for the planners
· The group suggested having desks
at a level that is accessible by wheelchair users
· Sunlight was also an issue
discussed as it could impair the viewing of screens/displays
· RS explained that quality
training of staff (disability awareness training) is essential to
the success of any service
· It is also important that
reception staff have the knowledge available to help/give suitable
answers
· The pros of having a cash desk
was discussed (the feeling/assurance of the security of the money
actually being paid. More so if it has been done electronically).
The idea pf having payment cards was proposed.
· Job carving (which is apparently
done at
PCC
and
HCC
) was discussed –
providing a position for someone with a disability which could make
them feel valued.
· Cllr Ponsonby raised a concern
over soundproofing. Background noise especially with a café may
cause problems. The acoustics will have to be considered in the
design.
· As raised at the last meeting
the Group discussed concerns over the current transport network.
(No direct buses from east to west of the borough, making some
journeys excessively long.) The Group suggested community transport
or satellite locations, e.g. at local libraries as they are usually
in an easily accessible area. SD confirmed that this was being
looked into including joining electronic services over a period of
time.
· SD informed the Group that the
existing meeting rooms (Committee rooms and the Council Chamber)
will have improved sound systems.
6.
AOB
The small turn out was noted and the Group
thought that this was because the papers were not posted. The Group
felt that receiving paper copies rather than electronic reminded
everyone when the next meeting was.
The group discussed the requirements of Blue
Badges and it was noted that they are not always needed because the
person is unable to walk certain distances but may be because of
the size of parking bays (cant twist to get in or need a lot of
space to get out etc.). It was suggested that there are differences
in criteria depending on location. RS informed the Group that
independent reviewers may be coming in shortly to assess who is
awarded with a badge.
7. Date
of the next meeting and close
Thursday 20 May 2010 14.00 -16.00, Civic
Offices Committee Room 1