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:

Present:

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