Havant Borough Council Disability
Access Group
AGENDA
Thursday 7 August 2008, 2pm in Committee Room 1 (First
floor)
1.
Apologies
2.
Minutes of last meeting
3.
Matters arising
4. HBCDAG
Action Plan Update
5. Havant
& District Sports Association for the
Disabled
6. Announcements
7. Date of next
meeting
If you have any special requirements
please contact Caren Ransom 02392 446007 caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
Havant Borough Council
Access Group Meeting Minutes
7 August 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:
|
Frank Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Anthony Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Marian Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Mark Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Helen Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Caren Ransom
|
HBC Equalities and Access Officer
|
Present:
|
Councillor Terry Hart
|
HBC
|
|
Paula Eastwood
|
Job Centre Plus
|
|
Richard Sturgess
|
Gosport, Fareham Access Officer
|
|
Gwyneth Fyfield
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Judith Glenister
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Masie Tucker
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Val Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Fred Dunford
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Val Hartridge
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Jason Beasley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Martin Affleck
|
Disability Access Advisor
|
|
David Nicholls
|
Havant & District Sports Association for
the Disabled
|
|
Tracey Ford
|
HBC
|
|
Lavinia Hakin
|
HBC
|
|
Alicia Samuel
|
HBC
|
2. Minutes of last
meeting
Apologies to Jason Beasley for omitting his
name on the attendees list from the last meeting.
As suggested the word ‘bound’ in item 4 to be
replaced with ‘user’.
As per changes minutes agreed as a correct
record.
3. Matters Arising
and Any Other Business
Councillor Hart asked the Chair & vice
Chair of the Access Drop in group to itemise in the Agenda things
they wish to discuss; instead of discussing in the ‘matters
arising’ item of the access groups quarterly meetings.
Cllr Hart wanted to take this opportunity to
update the group on planning application forms that will be
assessed by the group, (discussed at previous meeting). He
explained that the applications were going forward but 60
applications were deemed as not valid, this is due to the new
online system, where applications have not had sufficient or the
correct information. There will also be buildings regulations
officer on site, making it easier for comments to be submitted from
the Access Group.
As discussed in the previous meeting Tracey
confirmed that fire alarms were only being tested on Monday’s at
10.00am. She also explained that the fire alarms were still being
tested randomly, so that part time employees and those who do not
work on a Monday’s would get to recognise the alarms. Tracey
also pointed out that a notice board will always be on display when
the fire alarms are due to be tested. Following on from this
discussion Jason Beasley queried the delay in the safety fire doors
opening a few minutes after a fire alarm test. Tracey explained
that because those doors are not within a fire evacuation access
route and they may take a few moments to reactivate. Tracey will
bring this up with Stuart Pinkney, HBC Emergency Safety Officer and
will update the group.
Jason Beasley commented that the Access
Website was progressing and should be finished within the next few
months.
Cllr Hart suggested that a member of the group
may want to be a speaker and present at meetings. Val
Hartiridge agreed that this could be good, especially after audits.
Val continued that the recent audit at the leisure centre was
“shocking”, revealing that they did not even have an Evac Chair.
Tracey informed the group that since this audit Horizon Leisure
Centre has purchased an Evac Chair and are now working with HBC
facilities team to get training for the proper use of it. Jason
added that they have been listening to comments made by himself and
will be installing a hoist. It was noted however that there is no
disabled swimming evenings held at the Havant Swimming Pool,
disabled swimming has to take place in the normal opening
hours.
The access group discussed the poor state of
High Lawn Way, (Staunton Park). The brambles are overgrown and are
causing access issues as well as discomfort and pain. Cllr Hart
suggested complaining. Tracey advised that they must report this to
Reception at HBC themselves, (as she can no longer pass on
complaints on other peoples behalf). There is a process that needs
to be followed, set by Hampshire County Council.
Cllr Hart proposed that a social landlord be
invited to be a speaker for a meeting after Masie Tucker complained
about being without double glazing for a while now.
Cllr Hart also suggested a DSS speaker; after
discussions about Government funding. Tracey suggested writing to a
local MP about any issues with disability allowances.
Other possible speakers were discussed.
Richard Sturgess highly recommend a member of the Macular Disease
Society in Fareham. They often do presentations and payment fees
are wavered in favour of donations. They are happy to receive
applications from local access groups. Richard told the group how
informative the talks are. Jason suggested that an Andrew the
Chairman of the Accessibility group in Copnor to do a presentation
on all disabilities.
Richard Sturgess updated the group on business
in Gosport’s & Fareham’s Access Groups. From this the group
expressed an interest in visiting a trail in Fareham. Fareham’s
access group have been campaigning to get the trail around he Cams
Hall Estate & golf course resurfaced.
4. HBCDAG Action Plan
Update
Please follow this link to the
Havant Borough Council Access Group Web page for the monthly
updated Action Plan >>, http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-3557.
An access group event to be organised is the
Christmas lunch. Val has been organising this to take place at
RKdia in Horndean (http://www.rkdiacatering.co.uk/
02392 595158). The cost for a typical Christmas lunch was
£7.50 and they could have 25 people attending, an invite was
extended to Councillor Hart. The date 18 December 2008 had
previously been decided but regretfully this venue was already
booked, so it has now been provisionally booked on the 11 December
2008. It was asked if the meal could be subsidised out of the
kitty which stands at £200-£400. Tracey will confirm the amount
with Caren at the next drop in session.
The cancelled Southsea Fair/show was
discussed. Val explained that she is still waiting on the refund
for the table and thinks it may take 2 – 3 months. Val went on to
inform the group that Mark Le May is organising a publication
(leaflet). Once approved by Caren Ransom they are hoping to
distribute at events to raise awareness of this Access Group.
5. Havant &
District Sports Association for the Disabled
David Nicholls informed the group (via a
presentation) on the registered charity Havant & District
Sports Association for the Disabled (HADSAD). HADSAD acts as a
holding organisation which provides assistance to subgroups that
work within it. You can not be a member of HADSAD, however you can
join the subsections; which are currently: Langstone Sailabilty and
“The Quivers” an archery group.
It was started in 1978 by a disabled person
and the purpose of HADSAD is to provide enjoyment through sport for
disabled people. Originally through many different sports,
unfortunately now there is only sailing and archery.
David went on to explain that staff working
for the groups are all volunteers; no one is employed apart from in
the sailing section. This is because the group was advised that
they needed a senior sailing instructor trained to the relevant
yachting association standard. A process is also on the way to CRB
(Criminal Records Bureau) check all volunteers and workers.
It costs £42.00 per year to be a member of the
Langstone Sailability. This includes various sailing trips (mainly
held on the weekends) and a possible trip on the open sea.
Currently the sailing group has 15 members across the area
(including Emsworth, Chichester, Portsmouth and Havant). New
members are welcome and an application pack can be found on the
website http://www.langstonesailability.org.uk/
or you can contact Mike Bartholomew on 02392 255 905, Janet
Charlesworth 0132 982 2416 or Darren Flynn on 02392 476 781.
David informed the group that if you are
unsure about joining the sailing group you can go to Langstone
Sailing Club, (who hosts the Langstone Sailability), attend a
session and try out sailing or just have a look around without
paying. The sailing group is not just about sailing it is often
seen as a social club as members are encouraged to meet Wednesday
evenings at the club.
The archery group has 20 members at the moment
although it is getting to the point where the sessions available
are full, new members are still welcome. Turnover of members is
quite high due to the conditions of those involved. Disappointingly
there are not enough helpers to increase the amount of sessions at
the moment.
David went on to tell the group that up until
3 years ago the archery group used the hall at South Downs College
for free; they still use this hall but there is now a fee. During
good weather months Fort Purbrook is used as the outdoor venue. It
costs £17 per year to be a member and £3.00 extra per session (the
extra is to cover the storage fees for equipment, shooting and
refreshments). There is an adjacent group to this that is for able
body children of members and helpers.
Like the sailing group you can go along for a
couple of sessions before becoming a member to get an idea on
whether you would like to join. For more information on the archery
group, please contact either David Nicholls on 02392 641 815 or
Janet Charlesworth on 0132 982 2416.
The access group suggested including Kurling
within the HADSAD. It is a very popular sport amongst the group and
contacts and links could be shared between the two groups. David
said that he would bring it up at the next HADSAD meeting.
The group expressed interest in HADSAD’s
sports and the presentation from David Nicholls.
6.
Announcements
Tracey made some announcements to the
group:
“Back to Sport” in which you get a free
swim when accompanied by a paying child
Half Price Fit and Swim. Need to visit
http://www.horizonlt.com/ to
download a voucher
An Older Persons Strategy Group Public and
Professional Meeting being held on Thursday 28 August in the
Entertainment Hall, St James Hospital 09.30 – 12.30. It is an open
meeting to discuss older person’s services in Portsmouth and
healthcare concerns. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Andy
Barker on 02392 684573 or by email Andrew.barker@ports.nhs.uk
if you wish to attend.
7.
Date of Next Access Group Meetings:
27 November 2008 – 2pm
12 February 2009 – 2pm
21 May 2009 – 2pm