Meeting documents

+ Cllr Bruce Mansell - Chairman

- Cllr Paul Ilnicki - Vice-Chairman

+ Present

- Apologies for absence presented

Also present

Councillors Bill Chapman, Mrs Vivienne Chapman, Chris Pitt and David Whitcroft

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13th September 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed Lucy Brown and James Drennan from Disability Initiative and Derek Hartley from Disabled Access Surrey Heath, who had agreed to attend and make presentations, and Councillor Bill Chapman, who would present the final report of the Speed Management Working Group.

PART I

(public)

The Committee received a presentation from Lucy Brown, the managing director of Disability Initiative, and James Drennan, a recipient of its services.

Lucy Brown explained the historical context, links with the Council and the ethos of the organisation as well as plans for the future development of the initiative.

James Drennan explained that, as a very active young man, involved in sports and motor sport activities, he had been involved in a serious accident leaving him quadriplegic and, to his view, without any future. Despite the considerable efforts of his parents, without serious professional support, James had rarely left his room until a care manager took him to Disability Initiative. Since then, with their help, James had re-learned to drive, become completely computer literate, taken up wheelchair rugby and weightlifting and was part way through a foundation course on personal training and sports performance at Farnborough College, as well as working for the Initiative.

Lucy Brown explained that Disability Initiative supported a range of clients aged from around 18 to 80. Some had degenerative conditions whilst others had been involved in accidents or suffered strokes. The Initiative provided a range of life skills training, being notably successful in IT training.

The Initiative had been established and built up on a professional basis in partnership with a number of organisations, with a major role being played by this Council, which had identified land for the new Disability Initiative building, paid the ground rent and provided parking places for clients.

Disability Initiative took block bookings and spot contracts, both typically from organisations such as Social Services and health authorities, but also provided for some self-funding clients.

Members welcomed this presentation, noting in particular the professional grounding on which the Initiative was based. The need to focus on access issues was emphasised, particularly in view of the impending start to the ‘Atrium’ development in Camberley. The lack of disabled taxis, with only two fully accessible taxis operating in Camberley, was noted. Members also voiced their support for the proposed new ground floor kitchen facility in the Initiative building.

RESOLVED, That the attention of the Executive be drawn to the continued need to consider disabled access in the Borough, including the shortage of disabled taxis and that the proposed new kitchen facility be commended for support.

The Committee received a presentation from Derek Hartley on the work of Disabled Access Surrey Heath (DASH).

Mr Hartley explained that he suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, which was a degenerative disease. He had been asked fifteen years previously to look at disabled access problems in Surrey Heath. This had led indirectly to the founding of DASH.

With eleven members from varying backgrounds, including councillors, police and highways experts, DASH worked to improve disabled access across the Borough and had recently had success in persuading both Bradford and Bingley and the Alliance and Leicester Building Societies to significantly improve disabled access at their Camberley branches. However, there were many areas in which improvements were still needed, one example being the number of advertising boards on pavements, causing difficulties for wheelchairs, people on crutches or those who had reduced vision.

Whilst having no direct funding, DASH sought to influence decision makers to make improvements such as dropped kerbs and to enforce against those abusing such facilities, typically blocking dropped kerbs through illegal parking. DASH were particularly concerned to ensure that new developments were sympathetic to the needs of disabled people and at very least complied with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Members welcomed the presentation, noting the considerable assistance that DASH and Mr Hartley personally had given the Borough over the years. Recognising the need for a formal constitution to allow DASH to receive grants from the Council, Members suggested that the Council could provide suitable templates and a meeting room to assist DASH members in drawing up a suitable constitution. The Committee noted that DASH should be commended as direct consultees in the new ‘Atrium’ development in Camberley, that DASH would welcome the appointment, even part-time, of an access officer within the Council and that members of DASH would benefit from minuting support.

RESOLVED, That the Executive be advised that

Members noted that a full version of the Community Plan was now available, in addition to the widely circulated abridged version. This had been drawn up by the Council and various other partner agencies and would be a developing document as implications of changes such as the reconfiguration of the Primary Care Trust were incorporated.

The Committee received a final report from the Speed Management Working Group.

Members noted that, on receipt of an interim report, the Committee had already made a number of recommendations to the Executive on speed management issues and initiatives in the Borough. It was recognised that the majority of drivers were responsible and that the irresponsible minority were prevented from so behaving during peak traffic periods due to the sheer volume of traffic and the efforts of the majority.

The introduction of speed activated signs and other traffic control measures in Surrey Heath was welcomed and members paid tribute to the efforts of the Working Group, which had resulted in a comprehensive report with many practical proposals to improve road safety. Members also noted the assistance the Working Group had received from Police and Highways officers.

RESOLVED, That the Executive be advised to

The Committee considered a report enclosing draft terms of reference for the newly established Working Group on Services for Older People, on which Councillors Fran Bennie, Keith Bush and Paul Ilnicki had agreed to serve. Councillor Keith Bush had been appointed as Chairman of the Working Group for the remainder of the municipal year.

Members had previously noted the need to focus on external provision, given that scrutiny of Council-provided services in this area lay with the Community Select Committee and, given the potential benefits of disparate organisations having the opportunity to network, the Committee was reminded that the Working Group had been asked to consider how to access ‘hard to reach’ groups. This had been incorporated into the draft terms of reference.

RESOLVED, That the Services for Older People Working Group terms of reference, as attached at Annex A, be agreed.

The Committee received a report on the draft programme for the municipal year 2005/06 agreed at the last meeting of 2004/05 (minute 030/EP refers).

The Committee noted faith groups would be invited to participate in the presentation by voluntary and associated groups on 24th January 2005 and that the proposed presentation by the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership had been moved to 28th March 2005.

RESOLVED, That the Committee work programme at Annex B, as amended,  be adopted for the municipal year 2005/06.

CHAIRMAN

ANNEX A

SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE WORKING GROUP

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.     Purpose

The purpose of the Services for Older People Working Group is to:

(ii)     assess provision by the private or commercial sector; and

2.     Membership

The Working Group will consist of three Members, those being Councillors Fran Bennie, Keith Bush and Paul Ilnicki. The Working Group will invite appropriate external experts to assist in its deliberations.

3.     Timescales

The Local Government Act 2000 requires that Working Groups be task specific and time limited. It is proposed that the Working Group be established to the end of the municipal year, with consideration being given to any necessary extensions at a later stage.

ANNEX B

EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS SELECT COMMITTEE

DRAFT COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME

2005/06

Possible other issues to be allocated: