Havant Borough
Council
Disability Access
Group
AGENDA
Thursday May 20th 2010, 2pm
in Committee Room 1 (first floor) Civic Offices
1.
Apologies and welcome from the Chair, Cllr Terry
Hart
2.
Minutes of last meeting which can be found at: Please click here for the
minutes
3.
Matters arising
4.
HBC
Planning
Somborne Drive enhancement scheme Leigh Park (15
minutes)
5.
HCC
Access
Team (40 minutes)
6.
HCC
Trading
Standards – Door step crime (40 minutes)
7.
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2010
Members Update
(VH)
8.
Any other business
9.
Date of next meeting and
close
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
20 May 2010
1.
Present/Apologies
Apologies:
|
Rodney George
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Richard Sturgess
|
Gosport & Fareham Access Officer
|
|
Judith
Glenister
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Val
Stanley
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Jason
Beasley
|
HBCDAG
|
|
|
|
Present:
|
Caren
Ransom
(CR)
|
HBC
|
|
Cllr. Terry
Hart (Cllr H)
|
HBC
(chair)
|
|
Alicia
Samuel
(AS)
|
HBC
(minutes)
|
|
Cllr.
Cheshire
(Cllr C)
|
HBC
|
|
Gwyneth
Fyfield
(GF)
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Shona
McPherson (SM)
|
HCC
|
|
Martin
Affleck
(MA)
|
Disability Access Consultant
|
|
Julie
Boschi
(JB)
|
HBC
|
|
Fred
Dunford
(FD)
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Val
Hartridge
(VH)
|
HBCDAG
|
|
M
Macbeth
(MM)
|
Havant Adult Services
|
|
Iris
Hendry
(IH)
|
HBCDAG
|
|
Julie
Gallagher
(JG)
|
HCC
– Trading Standards
|
Cllr Hart informed the Group that at the
Cabinet held on the 13 May 2010 Cllr Cheshire was appointed to
represent the Council on this Access Group for the 2010/2011
municipal year.
LA introduced himself as a new member of the
Group – he is the Vice Chairman of Southampton
Action for Access (
SAFA
).
Please note: after the
HBCDAG
meeting Cllr Cheshire agreed that Cllr Hart should continue to
Chair the
HBCDAG
quarterly meetings
2.
Minutes of last meeting (11 February 2010)
The minutes were agreed as correct and
accurate
3.
Matters Arising
From the last meeting:
Item 3: Cllr Hart informed
the Group that the Waterlooville Sainsbury’s application has been
withdrawn. (Due to the unavailable Sainsbury’s resources to gather
figures and information on the possible impact on the junction)
Item 4: Cllr Harts actions –
Cllr H confirmed that there is no specific budget, although £500
has been set aside for the Group from CR’s budget. A consultation
did take place, and officers across the Council pledged support
where necessary e.g. sending an officer to meetings etc. CR
will continue to look after money coming in and out of the
Group
Item 5: CR wanted to thank
the Group on Share D’all’s behalf for their input on the
customer service for the
PSV
. Information form various focus
groups were sought and are being palliated; feedback from this is
soon to follow.
Item 5: Job Carving
was defined as way of splitting jobs enabling disabled people to
make a valuable contribution and allowing skills to be realised;
for example a welcoming person, freeing up customer service
officers at reception.
4. HBC
Planning Somborne Drive enhancement scheme Leigh Park
JB Senior Landscape Architect at
HBC
requested that the Group review
plans for the Somborne Drive enhancement scheme in Leigh Park.
Work is looking to start September 2010 for a
completion date in January 2010
JB explained that
HCC
and
HBC
have managed to get joint
funding (106) to improve the road to make it easier for
pedestrians. The proposed improvements include:
· A table top/Zebra
crossing + 2 other smaller crossing points
· The crossings
will not have lights (
HCC
Highways have certain
criteria dependant on volumes and numbers
it was noted
that a narrower road will reduce the speed cars and number of cars
using it as a through road).
· At the Greywell
Car Park there will be raised and different paving for walkways
· Short term stay
parking to the side of the road will include disabled bays
· Footpaths will
have paving and kerbs
· Trees are wanted
but locations are not fixed (on the plan)
The Group raised and suggested the
following:
· A taxi rank – to
stop them parking in disabled bays or blocking views and crossings
etc.
· The short term
stay maximum limit should be 45 minutes to allow for equality and
consistency across the
Borough
towns (to save confusion etc.).
· Restrictions on
parking on corners will be needed – on Bordon Road cars often block
views when trying to
cross
JB to look into the points raised
The plan was left plan for the Group to
further discuss and review, CR to return with feedback from the
Group.
5.
HCC
Access Team
SM on behalf of
PSV
s clients (potential partners
including
HBC
,
HCC,
CAB
etc.) wanted the Groups opinion
on the doors for the Atrium
After a visit to a similar Centre, the
preference for the doors has been revolving ones with a push button
door either side (as alternatives). This would help to retain the
heat in the Atrium.
The Group were against the revolving door and
the push button doors; the reasons are listed below:
· A large number of
customers will be disabled, wheelchair or walking aids users, have
trolleys, push chairs, children etc. with them. This majority would
find revolving doors and the push button either unusable or very
difficult to use
· Difficult for
visually impaired to use
· Difficult for
some people to stretch their arm out to push the button
· Difficult for
wheelchair users and other disabled people to manoeuvre to push the
button and then get through
the door
· Revolving doors
can be slow – slowing down the natural flow of customers (this
problem was noted at the
QA
hospital,
where they have similar doors)
· This idea seems
to be going a step back (against
DDA
regulations) rather than
moving forward.
The Group also asked if the Customer Services
Officers had been consulted to see if the current sliding door
system makes the reception cold and ‘drafty’ for them. If they are
happy, the Group questioned why a change was needed.
It was also suggested that at the
HCC
Records Office in Winchester
the revolving doors are used less than the alternative doors
provided.
The Group agreed that the ideal door system
would be the current, (although it was suggested that revolving and
sliding doors could both be used).
SM to take the comments and suggestions back
to the ‘clients’ to be considered
SM will keep the Group informed of any further
proposals, (e.g. will there be an exit and entrance).
6.
HCC
Trading Standards
– Door step crime
Julie Gallagher a Trading Standards Officer
from
HCC
introduced
what Trading
Standards does.
JG and her team wish to raise awareness and
protect the vulnerable and elderly people, who are often targeted.
Various doorstep crimes that could take place and the prevention
methods were discussed.
Rogue Traders (roofers,
tarmacers, etc.)
· Sometimes they
wear official/professional clothing such as fluorescent jackets
etc.
· ‘Shoddy’ work is
often carried out
· Ask to be paid in
cash
· Those who pay in
cash are often re-targeted
· Catching them and
getting the evidence for prosecution can be difficult
JG told the group of an arrangement with
Building Societies, Banks and Post Offices. If a person who does
not usually withdraw large amounts of cash does so, the cashier
will question the purpose of the withdrawal. Although this may be
inconvenient for some, it may just be the needed realisation
catalyst. The bank etc. will then contact Trading Standards when
appropriate.
JG also informed the Group that Hampshire
Trading Standards has introduced a Quick Response Team, (dedicated
number 01962 833 666) who are available Monday – Friday 09.00 –
5.00, (outside these hours JG advised contacting the police). The
Quick Response Team work to intercept rogue traders by gaining
intelligence, they can also work out the actual finishing price of
work, and can go out with the police too make arrests and help to
prosecute.
Bogus Callers, (claim they
are from utilities companies etc)
· No one has the
right to access your property except the police with a warrant
· They could be
‘scoping’ to come back at a later time
· And/ or a part of
a distraction burglary
·
ID
cards may not be proof of genuine
identity – JG advised not to call the number on the
ID
card as this may
be bogus as
well, it is best to contact the company directly yourself to
validate the
ID
JG advised on measures to deter bogus and
rogue traders:
· Stickers provided
by her team to put in windows (‘beware of doorstep callers’ and ‘We
do not buy goods or
services at
the door’).
· A door chain –
which prevents engagement of conversation
· It is ok to say
no
· If you are not
expecting someone be on guard or alternatively you don’t have
to answer the door.
JG also discussed Reliable
Traders with the Group. There is a free approved trader
directory (that has a registration fee for traders to cover costs).
The following are done to approve the traders:
· Auditing
· Checked they are
compliant with law
·
CRB
checking
· Customer
reference checks (10 at random)
There is a booklet available but the website
is updated more regularly
No Cold Calling Zones:
· There are 150 in
Hampshire managed by the police and Philip Mills from JG’s team
· For a zone to be
put in place (done per street) each person in the street is
consulted on a one to one basis
Postal, email/internet and telephone
Scams were also examined
Additionally the Group raised concerns
over:
Electrical goods sold at table top sales – JG
to liaise with VH and pass the concerns to the Safety Team.
Signing contracts in your home – JG confirmed
that you have the right to cancel a contract over £35.00 whether
the trader was invited or not. It is an offence to misrepresent or
not to give paper work on cancellation notification of the
contract; this can lead to the contract becoming void.
JG and her team can be contacted on 01962 833
625
The following can be contacted on 0845 404
0506 and also:
· Reporting Door Step
Crime
· The Buy With
Confidence website and email address
· The local contact
for Buy With Confidence is 01962 833 620
· General consumer
advice from Consumer
Direct
JG also mentioned that she is available to
make a free talk to other groups
7.
HBCDAG
Action Planning for 2010
Members Update (VH)
The Group will have a stall at Party in the Park
on the 5th June 2010 in Havant’s park
Results of the
HCC
mystery shop that the Group
took part in were that some shops got rid of shared spaces
SM to liaise with VH on more information on a
consultation regarding streets in the Winchester area
The Education Business Partnership Fairs were
discussed. The Group agreed that VH should accept a continuation of
the Group attending the events subject to the condition that travel
costs will be paid for/reimbursed.
VH also expressed how well the inclusive Fun
Day went, which had many different activities for families with
disabled children and disabled adults. Everyone enjoyed themselves
and it was well organised by Andrew Wheeler and Kyle Hanna.
FD to email the Group to see if anyone can
attend, (in his place) the Older Person's Workshop (a new
application for the Oak Park Hospital is being submitted) at
Springwood in Waterlooville on 9th July 2010
8. Any Other
Business
FD raised the Hayling Island Beachlands
Disabled Parking charges that will be taking place. He wanted it
noted that there had to be adequate signage (as some disabled
parking users may not be aware that they will be charged) and there
needs to be accessible machines. CR assured FD that
HBC
will be undertaking a
Customer and Equality Impact Assessment that looks
at what effect, or likely effect following from its implementation
and mitigating impacts on different groups in the community. Tony
Cailes will be heading this and will involve CR, CR to feedback
information.
VH advised that persistent offenders who park
on dropped curbs should be notified to
PCSO
s at community board
meetings or the Civil Enforcement Officers here at
HBC
.
Cllr Cheshire spoke about the non emergency
number 101 – Hampshire is the only county in the country to still
have this use of number.
This efficient service can divert you/your
problem to the appropriate person to action either straight away or
when next available. Cllr Cheshire suggested that the Group could
call regarding the parking at dropped curbs. The call costs 10p and
the more it’s used the better as it can give an overview of
problems/problem areas.
The Group to further network 101 where
possible/appropriate
CR suggested that the Group recommend the
number to Judith Glenister to use, (who is having some parking
problems in her area).
9. Date of next
meeting and close
Thursday 5 August 2010 14.00 -16.00, Civic
Offices Committee Room 1