News
Report from the meeting of 25 September 2008
South Ayrshire Access Panel meets on the last Thursday in each month and tackles issues relating to making the environment, facilities and services in South Ayrshire available to all its residents.
The Panel were given an informative presentation by Morag Gibson, Community Care Manager, who gave an overview of the Social Work Service and who they help and support. She informed the Panel on the Statutory Acts and updated Legislation which govern Social Work. Morag’s presentation then focused on Community Care. (Copies of the presentation are available on request).
Morag informed the Panel on various aspects of Community Care and gave detailed information on the care available to a wide range of people. She explained that help for people with a physical disability has, up until recently, been mainly the work of occupational therapists who help with equipment and adaptations to the home environment. However, Morag advised that the Social Work Service has recently employed a Physical Disability Social Worker with a view to focusing on the wider issues affecting people with physical disabilities.
Ongoing planning applications noted by the Panel this month include the provision of disabled parking spaces at Dundonald Care Homes and provision of level access to the dwellings at Lady Margaret Drive, Troon.
New planning applications include request for the provision of at least one accessible parking space near the principle entrance to North Farm Avenue, Girvan, provision of disabled access to propperties at Gowlands Terrace, Barrhill, Girvan, provision of safety fencing round a seating area at South Beach, Troon, provision of level access and car parking to premises at Dalmilling Road, Ayr.
The Panel were advised that the Common Good Fund would not have the revenue to support the Shopmobility Scheme after June 2009.
A Panel member had urged the assessors of public toilets in Ayr to refer to the appropriate documents and to make sure that the premises comply and, if there is any doubt about the fitness for purpose of any aspect of accessible toilet facilities, the opinion of the Panel should be sought before "accessible" status is granted.
The Panel were advised by the Director of Cafe Nero that, to comply with the request of the Panel, more barriers for the outside seating area have been ordered.
Some Panel members who are wheelchair users are still experiencing problems with taxis. The Panel agreed that all taxi drivers should take the Disability Awareness course before they are granted their Taxi Operators Badge.
The Panel were alerted to the nuisance of A-boards near the entrance to the Arran Mal. A letter has been sent to the Planning Department.
The Panel was informed about a Wheelchair Conference to be held in the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow on 14 October 2008. This is a full day event and the Health Minister is speaking at the event. This venue is not an ideal one as it is not fully accessible to wheelchairs. This issue is to be raised on the day by a Panel representative.
Panel members are going to contact the Roads Manager concerning parking problems at Sherwood Road Sheltered Housing Complex, Prestwick. These are caused by parents parking to drop off/collect their children from two nearby schools.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.