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Havant Borough Council Disability
Access Group Terms of Reference
Version 1.4
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this paper is to set out
the terms of reference for the Group and to agree the partnership
arrangement between Havant Borough Council and the Access Group for
the future sustainability of the partnership.
2. Background
2.1 Havant Borough Council has an active
Access Group chaired by a Councillor . The Group was formed in 1993
and membership includes disabled residents, their carers and
representatives of local disability organisations, both charitable
and professional –and Council officers, including the Equalities
and Access Officer and Transport Engineer.
2.2 In the past the Group has been involved
with local access audits for schools, shops, businesses, public
buildings, highways and public footpaths. Partnership working with
Hampshire County Council and the Access Group is also well
established generating a small income for the Group (access audit
advice to schools). The Group provides advice on disabled
access to enable compliance with the legislation contained in 1995
Disability Discrimination Act.
2.3 A drop in occurs fortnightly on a Monday
morning where anyone may drop in and access council officers and
discuss local access issues (not only physical access, but access
to services too)
2.4 A structured quarterly meeting takes
place, a public meeting chaired by a Councillor and supported by
Council Officers, to discuss local access issues, where guest
speakers can engage with members of our community. Services
across Havant Borough Council also use this opportunity to engage
with disabled residents and their families regarding new policies
as part of the consultation process
2.5 The Group has organised its own indoor and
outdoor social activities such as New Age Curling and Christmas
celebrations
Objectives
- Promote equality of opportunity between disabled persons and
other persons within the Borough
- Assist with eliminating discrimination that is unlawful under
the
DDA
- Assist with eliminating harassment of disabled persons that is
related to their disability
- Promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons
- Encourage participation by disabled persons in public life
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
3.3 A fortnightly drop in will continue to be
held at Havant Civic Offices, facilitated by the Equalities and
Access Officer (
HBC
), a Transport Engineer
(
HBC
), Highways
Engineers (
HCC
) and
other Officers as appropriate to engage with issues surrounding new
planning applications, physical access and access to services
3.4 A structured quarterly meeting will
continue to take place - a public meeting chaired by a Councillor
and supported by Council Officers, to discuss local access and
disabled issues, where guest speakers can engage with members of
our community. Services across Havant Borough Council also
use this opportunity to engage with disabled residents and their
families regarding new policies as part of the consultation
process
3.5 Group members will be empowered to
organise outside activities (other than access visits) for the
group and assistance will be provided where necessary by Cultural
Services (
HBC
).
3.6 The group will participate with the
Havant Borough Council’s Disability Equality Scheme reviews and be
involved with new priority setting within the Action Plan.
4. Recommendation
4.1 That the draft Terms of Reference be
consulted on by all stakeholders, amended and agreed by Havant
Access Group and Havant Borough Council.
(signed off Novemeber 26th
2009) Councillor Terry Hart
Stakeholders:
HBC
Members
HBC
Managers and Officers
Access Group Members
Havant residents
HCC
Officers
Havant Community Boards
Havant Community Services