Minutes of Meeting

held at Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree

Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 12:30 pm 

1. Welcome:– Chair Colin welcomed all those present. New member Wendie Elliot was also welcomed.
2. Present: Colin Hutchings, Mike Dunworth, Nicola Rust; John Holt, Liz Macleod, Mike Taylor, Cllr Ian Renwick, Wendie Elliot and Joan Turkington (Minute Secretary).

NB Please note that Jim Towers should have been included in those present on 23 September 2008.

3. Apologies: Jim Towers, Julia Rudram, Una MacLeod, and Nora Warby.
4. Approval of Minutes (23 September 2008): Minutes were proposed by Mike Taylor and seconded by Nicola Rust and unanimously approved.
5. MATTERS ARISING:

 

1. Portree Regeneration (PAAC) – Copy of email given to Panel members. This showed the Committee members names. [see attached]
2. Ardvasar Hotel –Joan to write to Una to find out what all the issues with the hotel. Liz has photos and will bring them along on 25 November. Action Joan/Una/Liz.
3. Broadford Co-op. The project for the refurbished Broadford Co-op is complete. Disabled toilet has paper towels for drying hands; toilet roll holders NOT installed. Action CH
4. Broadford Toilets/Highland Council –update - 2 heaters have been installed; soap is now available, but no water, and the toilet seat in the disabled toilet requires replacement. Taps need replacement too.–Health and safety issue! Action: 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 at a date and time TBA. This matter is on hold - see Minutes of 29 July 2008 also various earlier Minutes.
7. Public liability insurance. SDEF to be contacted re accident insurance and advice on this subject. Re what level of insurance is required. Outstanding Action: Joan
8. Surveys. – Julia reported [via email] that she is awaiting a response from other Access Panels on Survey charges. JR
9. Druim na Pairc, Portree – Outstanding by Colin- contractors on site; but Colin to personally visit Willie Campbell re illegal parking on or at dropped kerbs at his house.  Action Colin
10. 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 NHS.
11. Kyle Medical Centre

On 1st August 2008 Colin Hutchings and Nicola Rust [Access Panel representatives] accompanied Natalie Morell and Kate Earnshaw [NHS] on a ‘walk about’ of the Kyle Medical Centre. The following points were noted by Nicola and Colin:-.

1. ‘Hi Vis’ signs needed
2. Disabled toilets – need upgrading upstairs
3. Plumbing boxed in
4. To access the dentist premises upstairs – a key code is required
5. Lighting poor - -  Colour blends – needs contrast
6. Lift too small and narrow

 

Another visit is due to review the above.

All of the above was documented to Kate Earnshaw [Natalie Morell took notes]

Colin to phone Kate or Natalie for feedback

12. Sleat Medical Centre –It was intimated at the Ward Forum Meeting [held on 22 September 2008 ] that new doors had been ordered date for fitting when received.– see copy of WFM notes. Action
13. Portree Medical Centre – see 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. 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. Staff are aware of these problems.
14. 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.
15. Radar Keys – Colin and Julia have List of radar keys . Julia left a copy of the official form to obtain a key – the form needs to be signed by a GP to sanction need for RADAR key Nicola got a replacement RADAR key  - via Julia Sign needed on disabled toilet door [on The Green Toilet block] re the nearest key holder. outstanding. Also possible tourist information office?  Action: TECS Mark Crowe.
16. Kyle Village– Article in the WHFP re road resurfacing [George Speed]. This matter was also raised at the Ward Forum Meeting on 22 September [see notes attached] Also disabled parking near dropped kerbs to be investigated. George Speed [Highland Council] re resurface of road.-NOTED watch this space. Portree High School – Update Nicola Rust reported that Morrison Construction [Scott Milne – Community Sports and Leisure Manager HC and K Allen HC Inverness c/o Portree High School – ‘lip’ side doors not done yet. Lift in library needs attention re access.–reported on the update - traffic lights at entrance to New Portree High School- Done; The only issues raised were parking/toilets at the swimming pool/library/lift into library) NB access to the library, swimming pool at new High School Julia to issue a report to Ken Allen Project Manager.(29 July 2008 – NOTED – still no progress on any of these issues)-‘Watch brief’ on swimming pool – various complaints eg cut feet. Action Various.
17. Alliance meeting The next quarterly meeting was scheduled for Skye – September/October, but had to be postponed till Spring 2009 NOTED venue – AROS/ OR / hire of room, approx cost of food £5.00 per head – check this out later. Joan.
18. The Constitution - could be revised to incorporate ‘ people who face barriers or represent someone who does.[face barriers] Next AGM 2009 NOTED
19. Highland Council properties - Mike Dunworth asked about various properties HC which are now vacant. What is being done with them? Eg former Library, swimming pool. Action Cllr Renwick.
20. Portree [signage etc] Cllr Ian R/Nora Warby/ Nicola Rust– 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
21. Jim Towers /– Tom Campbell ‘Friends of the Kyle Railway Line’ –Julia advised via letter to Tom on 17 October 2008   [see copy] Julia advised in general that reasonable and manageable access is necessary. [wheelchair accessible, public visit – visitors,]
 

22. Church of Scotland [Portree] The meeting held with representatives of CS was poorly attended, but the suggested design was accepted by all those present so full plans will be drawn up..
23. Columba 1400 - On a visit to Columba 1400 to the ward forum meeting on 22 September Nicola Rust and Nora Warby observed a number of actions needed.  [wheelchair access, the ‘under manager’ requested a survey by the Access Panel, to look at various aspects to make the Centre fully dda compliant.]

Nicola requested 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..

24. Co-op Portree - Nicola Rust – said 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.
25. Bank of Scotland in Kyle. Caroline Gould emailed the panel about access to the Kyle item was also in the WHFP. Joan to advise of the numerous alterations taking place there by Highland Council [TECS]. It was also mentioned in detail at the recent Ward Forum Meeting on 22 September at Columba 1400.Action Joan
26. New legislation – disabled parking – there is new legislation [Scotland] on enforcement for illegal use of disabled parking spaces. – Portree High School. Action : Joan/Jan Laing [WM]

 

6. TREASURER’S REPORT

The current balance is £1850 less out of pocket expenses for this meeting (28/10/2008)  

      

7. TRAINING - Training Courses –next training meeting date yet TBA – possibly 25 November 2008 – subject ‘Health and Safety and Risk Assessment’. Julia advised venue problem. NB postponed till January/February 2009
8.  NEW BUSINESS
1. Kyle Medical Centre - Wendie to visit dentist and will ‘check out’ premises. Kate Earnshaw – kerbs are too high and there is only 1 designated parking space – not flat access.
2. Broadford Hospital -Wendie said that there was no privacy in the toilets, or bathing facilities.
3. Better Health Services - Nicola said she was involved in a survey re [leaflet copy] this is being ‘rolled out’ Scotland wide. GP services is the next survey to be considered.
4. Email enquiries - Re the 2 emails Joan produced at the meeting – Carin V – refer this matter to Social Work in Inverness-neither of these are relevant to the Panel-forward to Social work Dept. Inverness
5. The other one Dr Bill ?, Joan to send all correspondence to ‘Visit Scotland’ also the ‘Tourist Board’ re rooms for disabled persons. for their input and answers to Dr Bill? – Joan
6. Digital camera – memory cards – purchase bigger memory card – inexpensive. Liz

 

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

Next Meeting: 

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Venue Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree

At 12:30pm 

Approval of Minutes

Date:  25 November 2008

Proposed by:   Mike Dunworth

Seconded by:  Nicola Rust

 

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. Await outcome of discretionary budget application. Action Nicola Rust

Mike D suggested for presentation purposes a digital frame for use with our digital camera. This idea could be fed into our funding applications. Approximate Cost £120/150 but a total; package would also provide up-to-date digital camera etc. more cost effective [for surveys] etc.–  

Surgeries on Skye and Kyle could be contacted re newsletter/Minutes of Meetings could be displayed in each Medical Centre /leaflet drop. –. Colin said that when we have sufficient funds we will carry this through. 

Information

K Allen HC Inverness

Scott Milne Manager, Community Sports and Leisure.