Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Jamie Carson, the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs Case and Parr, Cindy Lowthian and Maurice Waterhouse. 

Jamie Carson explained that the Disability Awareness Day had originally been set up to support involvement from community groups, but this year only one group had come forward to be involved.  Members of the Group and other community groups would be invited to a meeting to review Disability Awareness Day. 

The Group were advised that Leisure and Cultural Services had completed their business plan for the ensuing year, including projects for community management of facilities.  Capacity issues meant that Disability Awareness Day would not be held in its previous format this year. 

In the future there would be potential for the Day to be held in the recently refurbished Lancastrian Room at the Town Hall, or All Seasons Leisure Centre.  The Day would have lots of events for children and families. 

The Group had a tour around the front of the Town Hall and the Lancastrian to see the results of the refurbishment and access for people with disabilities. 

The Group commended the work undertaken and noted that the toilet facilities were excellent.  The contrast used on the steps was good.  It was noted that signage was needed and this would be completed before the building was opened to the public.  There would be disabled parking bays on Mealhouse Lane.

Roger would clarify whether there was a visual alarm for deaf people in the lift and would monitor the sound quality of the announcements in the lift. 

Members of the Liaison Group are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the Council Chamber and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

No interests were declared.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Disability Liaison Groupheld on 21st November 2005 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting of the Disability Liaison Group held on 21 November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record. 

A schedule prepared by the Head of Property Services 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 Group considered a schedule, prepared by the Head of Property Services, and discussed the following:

Pavements

1,d. Recycling bins and bags causing obstructions.  It was noted that the Head of Environmental Services would attend the meeting of the Group in June to discuss this.  A working group had been set up to look into this. 

General Highway Issues

The number to report any defects on the highway was 0845 053001.

Parking

5, a. Cars parking on Coronation Recreation ground.  Officers had organised for the gates to be kept locked.  This issue would be kept under review.

Other Issues

6,a. Issues at Chorley Railway station.  Officers would contact Northern Rail for an update.

6,c. Provision of accessible toilet at Chorley library.  Cindy would be requested for an update on this issue.

6,e. Obstruction caused by A-boards.  This issue had been raised at the Town Centre Forum.  A newsletter for the town centre traders had been devised and the problem caused by this issue had been mentioned within it.  Officers would keep this under review. 

New issue.  The lighting in the toilet at Chorley Interchange caused problems for people with epilepsy due to the blue colour and flickering nature of the light.  Officers undertook to look into this. 

To discuss how to apply for a Disabled Parking Bay and their use.

The Group discussed disabled parking bays and noted that the majority of bays were not enforceable as they were advisory bays only.  Officers explained that Lancashire County Council were reviewing disabled parking bays and it took time to go through the process to introduce disabled bays that were enforceable. 

Disabled parking spaces on car parks were enforceable.  Officers would keep the Group updated on this issue.  

To discuss how to apply for concessionary bus travel and any restrictions.

Officers advised that from 1 April 2006 free bus travel would be available to people over 60 and disabled people.  This would apply to journeys wholly within Chorley Borough.  For a limited time there would be an introductory flat single fare of 50p for trips out of the borough. At the present time it was not known how long this introductory period will last.

After this period the rate would be half fare for journeys out of the borough for the over 60's. The same rate would apply to disabled people but a maximum of 50p for a single journey or £1 for a return journey will apply to out of Chorley Borough trips.  A query was raised as to the rate payable for journeys commencing in one borough, then going into another borough and ending in the original borough.  This would be clarified.  

An update on the Astley Park project was requested for the next meeting of the Group.  There was potential for officers to attend the meeting of the Disability Forum in early May.

The Group discussed seating within the Town Centre.

14 June 2006