Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  People present introduced themselves and their role at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Nora Ball, Cath Hoyle, Ralph Snape, Eileen Bee, Alan Capstick, Ivy Carroll, Lesley-Ann Fenton, Albert and Rita Jeffrey, Brian Kelly, David Lyon, Peter Mounsey, Devi Nicholson and Maurice Waterhouse.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

No Councillors declared an interest in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Disability Liaison Group held on 11 July 2007 (enclosed).  A schedule is enclosed listing issues that have been considered at past meetings of the Liaison Group and summarising the action that has either been taken by Officers or is proposed to be instigated on matters in respect of Pavements, Dropped Kerbs, Road Crossings, General Highway Issues, Parking and Other Issues.

The minutes of the meeting of the Disability Liaison Group held on 11 July 2007 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of apologies for absence from Councillor Nora Ball. 

The Group considered a schedule listing issues that have been considered at past meetings of the Liaison Group and summarising the action that has either been taken or is proposed by Officers.

The following points were discussed:

§               The dropped kerb at Millbrook Close in Wheelton has been completed.  There has been an issue of cars parking on Millbrook Close in Wheelton – this would be raised with the Parking Manager.

§               It was queried whether the toilets should be open on Coronation Recreation Ground – this would be queried with officers. 

§               An update was requested on the ongoing queries with Chorley Railway Station.  The Assistant Chief Executive would chase this up again.  

§               Disabled access to the Lancastrian stage was discussed.  Officers explained that there had unfortunately been delays in the Council signing a contract with Liberata regarding the provision of property services.  This had recently been signed and an update would be presented to the next meeting. 

§               It was noted that the route of the bus service 114 had changed.  Officers undertook to investigate this. 

Sarah Dobson will introduce the Chorley Partnership’s Draft Community Cohesion Strategy for consultation.  The strategy aims to set out the challenges and opportunities facing the Borough of Chorley in terms of Community Cohesion.  Members of the group will be asked to take away the strategy and respond to the consultation by the 20^th of December 2007.

Sarah updated the Group on the Council’s Community Cohesion Strategy.  The strategy aims to set out the challenges and opportunities facing the Borough in terms of Community Cohesion.  Members of the group were asked to take away the strategy and respond to the consultation by the 20 December 2007.

Further information on this was available from Sarah.  It was noted that the document had been forwarded to Eileen Bee at the Disability Forum.

Sarah Dobson will present to the group a series of questions about the Council’s revamped website and accessibility.

• The purpose of this item is to gauge opinion about what currently works well in terms of accessibility on the website and what improvements the Group would like to see made.

• Those attending the meeting are asked to access and use the Council’s website evaluating its current accessibility levels and to compare with the best practice outlined in the other suggested websites and then answer the following questions

• What improvements would you most like to see on the website in terms of accessibility?

• Do you currently use the website to conduct business, if not could this be made easier?

•  Would you be willing to participate in a focus group looking at the website in more detail and helping to implement improvements?

• The information provided in this session will be feedback to the Council’s communications manager who will lead the focus group looking at implementing the proposals set out in the meeting. Changes to the website willl be reported back at the next meeting.

There are several websites that have been suggested as examples of good practice: www.devon.gov.uk, www.lewisham.gov.uk, www.bradford.gov.uk, www.brent.gov.uk.  Also, www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk and www.guidedogs.org.uk.  It may be helpful for members of the Group to have a look at these sites before the meeting to generate some ideas and suggestions for the Council’s website. 

Tim Murphy and Louise Cunniffe advised the Group that the Council’s website had been relaunched in April.  The purpose of this item was to gauge opinion about what currently works well in terms of accessibility on the website and what improvements the Group would like to see made.

Improvements to the website included adjusting the text size, submitting planning applications and applying for benefits online.  Further suggested improvements by the Group included increasing the font size of text of the largest text size option and improving the text only option as at the moment it just removes the graphics.

It was noted that on the Disability Rights Commission site there was a Sign Language interpreter as the majority of adult deaf people don’t read English very well and can find grammar confusing.  A minimum of level 4 was needed for interpreters; Co-sign was used to provide interpreters for the meeting and could be a useful contact for this.  This was needed for deaf people to undertake transactions on the web site. 

The following websites were noted as being excellent: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk and www.guidedogs.org.uk.

It was agreed that a Focus Group be set up to consider improvements to the Council’s website, Maureen and Judith volunteered to get involved.  It was suggested that contact be made with the PCT on this issue. 

The Communications Manager will bring examples of literature produced by the Council to discuss with the Group examples of good practice and any suggestions for improvements. 

The group will be asked to advise officers on the best process for accommodating the needs of those with impairments in the production of Council literature.

The feedback from the Group will be used to improve the literature produced by the Council. 

Louise Cunniffe distributed some mock ups of letter headed papers, complement slips and business cards. 

It was noted that the text size needed to be at least 14 for visually impaired people and the contrast of the colours used could be improved.  The strapline on correspondence was noted.  It was requested that the fax number be added to the information. 

Sarah Dobson will update the Group on Yarrow Valley Country Park and the Chorley Leisure Services Inclusive Fitness Initiative. 

Sarah reported that there had been improvements made to Yarrow Valley Country Park, including an accessible viewing platform. 

Community Leisure Services manage the leisure centres in the Borough and were running all inclusive fitness awards.  For information the website is www.clschorley.co.uk. 

It was noted that if use of facilities was prescribed by a doctor payment would have to be made if the doctor was outside the Chorley area.  This would taken up with the Corporate Director (People) and the PCT. 

Sarah Dobson will update the Group on the Pavement Cafe Design and License Guide that was discussed at the last meeting of the Group. 

Sarah reported that the Council had now adopted the Guide, considered at the last meeting.  The comments of the Group had been incorporated into the Guide, including the need for consultation on licence applications. 

Establishments with pavement cafes will have to apply for a licence, enforcement action will be taken by the council where required.  It would be clarified whether A-boards were included in this policy.  Obstructions on pavements for people with visual impairments were dangerous and inconsiderate. 

A copy of the adopted Guide is enclosed with the minutes. 

There is a requirement to carry out a review of Polling Districts/Polling Places every 4 years with the first review to be completed by 31 December 2007.

This is primarily a review of polling premises and locations to access their geographical location suitability within the polling district concerned and the suitability of the premises themselves for such things as disabled access and other access/usage issues. 

The review continues until 9^th November 2007 with any consultation replies being requested in writing by 12^th October to the Town Hall, Market Street, Chorley.

Further information can be found for downloading at www.chorley.gov.uk/pollingstations.  If you require further more specific details and/or a hard copies of any of the above please contact Phil Davies in Democratic Services on 01257 515131 or via e mail on elections@chorley.gov.uk.  

Ruth reported that there was a requirement to carry out a review of Polling Districts/Polling Places every 4 years with the first review to be completed by 31 December 2007.

This was primarily a review of polling premises and locations to access their geographical location suitability within the polling district concerned and the suitability of the premises themselves for such things as disabled access and other access/usage issues.

The review continues until 9^th November 2007 and further information can be found for downloading at www.chorley.gov.uk/pollingstations.  For more specific details and/or a hard copies of any of the above please contact Phil Davies in Democratic Services on 01257 515131 or via e-mail on elections@chorley.gov.uk. 

It was highlighted that forms, in particular requests for a postal vote, were confusing and should be written in a clear way.  This would be fed back to the Elections Office. 

·                    9 January 2007

·                    23 April 2007

9 January 2008

Update on Astley Park

There will be a full update on Astley Park at the next meeting.  For the Group’s information the following queries and responses have been put forward. 

1. The new surfaces on paths through the woods are too steep in some places, a couple of bridges have no sides and the surfaces are uneven due to bikes and surface water.

As the project was being developed an assessment was made of the paths through the woodland to the south of the park.  Due to the existing contours and gradients of the path it wasn't possible to make the changes necessary to meet current Disability Discrimination Act standards to all paths.  The project team are currently looking at the possibility of amending the woodland path where it joins the main driveway nearest the main entrance.  A wheel chair user was in contact with us a number of weeks ago commenting on how good the new path through the woodland is, but asking if something could be done about the slope where it meets the main driveway to Chorley, estimates have been requested to accommodate this.

A new circular path around is under construction with 'access for all' in mind, consideration being given to surface and gradient etc.  Any defects within the surface of the paths will rectified - all depressions etc will be filled.  The project does not include for work to existing bridges, any renovation/repair work is currently the responsibility of Liberata and the Council.

2. Can we see more detailed plans for the play areas and pets corner.

The play areas and pets corner are currently being designed, when detailed plans have been produced these will be brought to the Group.

3. The ‘blind garden’ is used a lot by vandals as also are the ducks in the pond used for target practise which means that disabled people will not use the park unaccompanied.

The 'Friends of Astley Park' are keen to be involved with improving the Blind Garden and hopefully it is a project that could be developed with them to improve the area for all.  The park needs to be classified as a crime hotspot to attract some police presence in the park, the Council would therefore encourage anyone who witnesses any incidents within the park to report them to the police.

4. Is there a maintenance plan for the park?

Currently the maintenance of the park is the responsibility of the Neighbourhoods Directorate.  A 10 year maintenance management plan is being developed which will be implemented upon completion of the project. 

It was noted that there were regular patrols through Astley Park including the blind garden to combat antisocial behaviour and vandalism. 

The Group discussed items for the next meeting, including an update on changes to the Housing Benefits.