Havant Borough Council Disability Access Group

AGENDA

Thursday 15 May 2008, 2pm in Committee Room 1 (First floor)

1.   Apologies

2.   Minutes of last meeting

3.   Discussion on Assessing Planning Applications

4.   Matters Arising – Emergency Safety

5.   HBCDAG Action Plan Update

6.   HBC Environmental Quality Team

7.   Date of next meeting

If you have any special requirements please contact Caren Ransom 02392 446007 caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk

Access Group Meeting Minutes

15 May 2008

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:

2.          Minutes of last meeting

Agreed as a correct record.

3.        Discussion on Assessing Planning Applications

Talk and general discussion on planning applications form Chris Lyons, Development Services Manager, (in charge of development control and land charges).

Richard Sturgess re-iterated the point that the Access Statement is still not up to standard.

Chris Lyons welcomed the group to view, pass comments and advise on any particular application.  The selection process of the applications shown to the group was discussed. Chris pointed out his department receive 120-130 applications per month. Caren Ransom explained that the application process has changed since the group used to review them. The process has become more generic, with not just one officer (trained) and dealing with a particular application. Chris expressed the difficulty in selecting a few plans for the group to look at out of the amount they receive but would look into it.

Councillor Hart mentioned that within the Access statement agreement constitution that there would be a planning officer to attend the drop in groups fortnightly meeting. He suggested that it would be better if they attended during an allotted time for general discussions, allowing the group to view applications and comment.

4.        Matters Arising – Emergency Safety

Stuart Pinkney discussed emergency safety with the group. He informed the group that a Fire Risk Assessment is due in July and within group meetings he would like them to discuss and agree on the procedure of evacuation. At the moment its stands as:

·       Only external stairwells must be used

·       Meeting point is at the front of the building

Please note that an electric wheelchair is available, it is directly across from Committee room 1, (stairwell number 3). This is for those with mobility problems. There is no need to make HBC staff aware of wheel chair users or those with poor mobility as there is enough “manpower” to deal with this if an evacuation is necessary. The stairwells are protected for between 45mins to 1 hour so it should not be an issue.

Stuart also mentioned that there are two Evac Chairs available within the vicinity and that there is the possibility that more will be purchased in the near future. The group suggested “Ski Pads” instead of Evac Chairs, which are apparently used as hospital aids. The group felt that they were: easy with little strain, quick, cheaper and less frightening. Stuart will look into this option.

Stuart also informed the group that they may not hear the fire alarm at its usual allotted time of Monday 10.00 am. This is because it is being tested at different times, to ensure that everyone that uses the building on different days and at various times of the day will be aware of what the alarm sounds like. A practice fire drill is usually done 2-3 times a year at different times as well.

5.        HBCDAG Action Plan Update

There is a link on the Havant Borough Council Access Group Web page for the monthly updated Action Plan, http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-3557. Caren went through the plan with the group and Cllr Hart thanked the group for all their hard work so far and explained that having the Action Plan gave the Group a benchmark for the work they undertake throughout the year.

Caren informed the group that in the summer addition of Serving You there will be an article on the science fair, (the addition is also available in braille).

The updating of the Access pages on HBC website is taking place. Alicia has been helping Caren with this and the group should see substantial changes next week.

Jeff Crate was being represented by Peter Hammond to discuss an accessibility guide that links with the tourism side of Havant. Peter mentioned that he did something similar whilst he worked at Portsmouth City Council. He advised that a web version would be most suitable. This is due to a print version getting dated very quickly and updated versions would take longer to be made available. Caren agreed the medium is very important to the success of the guide. Peter also highlighted the issue of annual cost. This will need to be taken into account if a hard copy is published in a glossy magazine format. Sponsorship may need to be considered.  Caren stated that there will be two pages in the Havant leisure guide made available.

Councillor Hart took this opportunity to praise the group on the good work they have done on getting a constitution and action plan up and running. It shows live actions, performance indicators, what has to be been done and what needs to be done. Councillor Hart thanked the group for this.

6.        HBC Environmental Quality Team

Gary Morton delivered a presentation to the Access group on the environmental quality team at Havant Borough Council. The team consists of 5 staff members, 3 full-time Rangers and one ranger paid for by Portsmouth City Council. The three full-time rangers have different wards/areas to look after.

Gary Morton discussed:

·       The differences between Criminal and Civil Law

·       Environmental Law

·       Abandoned Vehicles

·       Bins, (street litter, parks and dog waste)

·       Fly-tipping

·       Graffiti

·       Gypsies and Travellers

·       Litter and Dog Fouling

·       Partnership Working (e.g. with probation services)

·       The Future (visibility, The Cleaner Borough Initiative, volunteers)

7.    Date of Next Access Group Meetings:

7 August 2008 – 2pm

27 November 2008 – 2pm

12 February 2009 – 2pm

21 May 2009 – 2pm