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    Minutes of Meeting

    held at Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 at 12:30 pm 

    1. Welcome:– Chair Colin welcomed all those present and Karen Macpherson [Resource Centre]
    2. Present: Colin Hutchings, Mike Dunworth, Nicola Rust; John Holt, Mike Taylor, Jim Towers, Julia Rudram, Una MacLeod, and Joan Turkington (Minute Secretary).
    3. Apologies-Liz Macleod, Wendie Elliot, Cllr Ian Renwick and Nora Warby.
    4. Approval of Minutes (25 October 2008): Minutes were proposed by Mike Dunworth and seconded by Nicola Rust and unanimously approved.
    5. MATTERS ARISING:
 
  1. PACC [Portree Area Community Company Ltd]  – Jim Towers will raise the subject of footpaths at Home Farm at the next Local Access Forum. Action: Jim Towers.
  2. Ardvasar Hotel –Liz sent photos by email. Place these on file for future use. A draft letter will be drawn up for approval before sending to the Hotel proprietor. Action: Joan.
  3. Broadford Co-op.- Toilet roll holders NOT installed. o/s. Action CH
  4. Broadford Toilets/Highland Council –Toilet seat in the disabled toilet needs replacement. Taps need replacement too.–Health and safety issue! Action: o/s email Mark Crowe with cc JL Highland Council :
  5. Discretionary Grants/ General Funding / Marketing [see last page]
  6. Skeabost Hotel – Apparently the hotel is under new Management [Oxford Hotels ] visit to be undertaken by members at a date and time TBA
  7. Public liability insurance. O/S disappointed at KR SDEF to be contacted re accident insurance and advice on this subject. Re what level of insurance is required. Outstanding Action: Joan
  8. Surveys.– Suggested donation for travel expenses ‘walk through’ if requested from them. Official report £150 for photos, survey and written report.
  9. Druim na Pairc, Portree – o/s MD
  10. Broadford Hospital –It was reported that there was no privacy in the toilets, or bathing facilities. O/S
  11. Kyle Court, Inverness –Kate Earnshaw gave an update at Columba 1400 [22 Sept 2008] 6 months on and still no progress! Gary Coutts NHS to be invited to a future Ward Forum Meeting.- no plans drawn re access. NOTED Jan Laing, Kate Earnshaw NHS
  12. Kyle Court – Inverness – This subject to be raised at the Health and Social Care Forum –regarding refurbishment, accommodation/ground floor flat – 3 families have to use the same toilet for patients receiving chemo treatment…
  13. Kyle Medical Centre ‘Findings from Site Visit by Skye and Lochalsh Access Panel Members – [1st August 2008’ accompanied Kate Earnshaw and Natalie Morel – NHS Highland]- Chair gave each member a copy of the Findings of Site Visit. [see attached] detailing various points raised by the Panel and advice by NHS Highland to address the problems.
  14. Kyle Medical Centre – it was noted to the panel that kerbs are too high and there is only 1 designated parking space – not flat access.
  15. Sleat Medical Centre –It was reported new doors had been fitted, but needed adjustment.
  16. Portree Medical Centre – Internal good practice. Email received from Dr S McCabe. Julia to reply to this via email. Ward Forum Meeting notes 22 September 2008. Dr S McCabe to get letter from Kate Earnshaw regarding various issues with the Centre. Kate Earnshaw indicated at the WFM that Portree Medical Centre are responsible for their own actions – namely any expenses involved ie to become fully DDA compliant etc. Staff are aware of these problems.
  17. Portree Medical Centre - Access/roadway/pavement - It has  been reported by various people that these premises are a nightmare to access. Eg no designated disabled parking; only a drop only. Pavement a disgrace;[MC] staff will open doors if requested, but problems with early appointments.
  18. Portree Hospital – inside door done; internal corridor door still outstanding. Internal corridor doors OK have now been fitted with magnet. But door from lift has no push pad. Action: Colin – still outstanding.
  19. Radar Keys – Donation of £10 received from CAB – acknowledge. - Sign needed on disabled toilet door [on The Green Toilet block] re the nearest key holder. outstanding. Also possible tourist information office?  Action: O/S TECS Mark Crowe.
  20. Kyle Village– kerbs being done, Bank of Scotland pavements being done, resurfacing of road ? Get update from Mark Crowe Action: TECS – Mark Crowe
  21. Alliance meeting At our next meeting – January 2009 – it is intended finalizing details for hosting the Alliance meeting for March 2009 – venue possibly Kyleakin Hall – soup and sandwiches £5.00 pp. Action: Mike Taylor.
  22. The Constitution - could be revised to incorporate ‘ people who face barriers or represent someone who does.[face barriers] Next AGM 2009 NOTED
  23. Highland Council properties – a member asked about various properties HC which are now vacant. What is being done with them? Eg former Library, swimming pool. Action Cllr Renwick.
  24. Portree [signage etc] Various members requested that better signage in general necessary in Portree re parking spaces for disabled persons. eg at Library [former] This fact was agreed by all. Action: IR/H Council / Mark Crowe/ Colin – George Speed to be invited to next panel meeting on 25 November 2008. There was a general discussion on recent ‘walk about’ in Portree with the Macdonald family; photos were taken and a list drawn up – need to identify and prioritise these ‘obstacles’ e.g. need for dropped kerbs George Speed,46 photos taken but no feed-back from George Speed /Julia :Action Mark Crowe TECS
  25. Columba 1400 - On a visit to Columba 1400 to the ward forum meeting on 22 September members observed a number of actions needing attention. [wheelchair access, the ‘Under Manager’ requested a survey by the Access Panel, to look at various aspects to make the Centre fully  DDA compliant.]

A suggestion was made that we hold meeting at Columba 1400 to look at actions outlined to the panel. It was felt that the panel visit to Columba 1400 should be left until Spring of 2009.This was agreed.

  1. Co-op Portree - It was reported that the dropped kerb at the back of the needed attention; also ‘pavement bit…missing’; Colin said he would contact TECS . apparently there is only funding available for 2 dropped kerbs. Need to prioritise. .Mark Crowe
  2. Kyle – TECS to update on this matter.
  3. Portree High School - New legislation – disabled parking – there is new legislation [Scotland] on enforcement for illegal use of disabled parking spaces.. Action : Joan/Jan Laing [WM]
  4. Better Health Services – A member was involved in a survey re [leaflet copy] this is being ‘rolled out’ Scotland wide. GP services is the next survey to be considered.
 
 
  1. TREASURER’S REPORT

The current bank balance is £2152 [via email after meeting].  

      
  1. TRAINING - Training Courses –next – subject ‘Health and Safety and Risk Assessment’.. postponed till January/February 2009 Possible venue Broadford Service Point – wheelchair accessible. Julia  to confirm
  2.  NEW BUSINESS

      Karen mentioned various properties in Portree she felt needed input from the Panel; Julia answered them verbally.

      Dunvegan Medical Centre - Colin mentioned that the bell on the outside wall was now working.  

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2.30 pm with Thanks to the Chair.

Note – change of venue for this meeting

Next Meeting: 

      Tuesday 27 January 2009

      Venue – Portree Hospital, Portree

      At 12:00 noon 

Approval of Minutes

Date:  27 January 2009

Proposed by:   Mike Dunworth

Seconded by:  Mike Taylor

 

Discretionary Grants/General Funding/ Marketing the Access Panel’ – Two applications have been made to various sources, but as yet no reply. CH will receive replies. Good news – Grant of £500 awarded. Well done Nicola/Nora. Action Nicola Rust 

NOTES

CH phoned with the information that Mark Crowe would notify Joan via email to the effect that he would detail all the various places within the village of Portree where pavements and dropped kerbs have been identified for repair or moving or relocation. 

Colin also took on board my observation re the new swimming pool – eg privacy [none] also the glass wall – the public can see in – nasty people ….. 

To be advised to Colin – place our recent projects on the web eg various medical centres, hospitals – improvements done or are being undertaken.

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