Report from the meeting of 28 September, 2006
South Ayrshire Access Panel meets on the last Thursday in each month and tackles issues relating to making the South Ayrshire environment, facilities and services available to all its residents.
A guest speaker was present at this meeting; the Electronic Communications Officer for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, who is compiling an access guide and improved accessibility website for NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The members of this Access Panel agreed to cooperate with the Communications Officer in providing views on the NHS Ayrshire and Arran web site and participating in future consultations.
The Chairman of the Access Panel will attend the Scottish Disability Equality Forum A.G.M., which is to be held in Stirling on October 27th, and will report to the Panel at the next meeting.
Planning consultations under consideration by the Panel included a Licensed premises in Sandgate, Ayr, a bank and proposed new Church in Maybole and licensed premises in Troon. There was further discussion on a Church in Prestwick Rd., Ayr and the Panel was reminded that the Disability Equality Duty comes into force in December, when there will be an obligation to consider disabled access in all planning consultations.
The Access Officer reported that a letter had been received from an individual highlighting problems with public toilet facilities in Prestwick. These will be followed up.
The Access Panel campaign Pavements are for people continues by monitoring the success of the South Ayrshire Council initiative to keep the town centre pavements clear of obstacles. Some A board advertisements were identified recently and their position passed on to the pilot scheme. The Panel were updated on the Guide Dogs for the Blind nationwide campaign on pavements. The Provost, who was present, suggested that problems with pavements can be directed to herself, Councillor Gibbs or the Leader of the Council.
It was noted that the Access Guide to Ayr Town Centre was now inserted into the Council website and also that the lack of mention of Churches in the Guide would be corrected at the next update.
Members of the Access Panel are to meet with personnel from Henry Boot Ltd, the developer of the Ayr Central development, on 11th November to raise their concerns regarding a number of accessibility issues with regard to the new site.
Taxi accessibility by wheelchair users was again under discussion. It was noted that all taxis registered in South Ayrshire are accessible to standard manual wheelchairs. Discussion is ongoing between this Panel and Ayr College, who deliver the Taxi Driver Disability Awareness training course and also between the Panel and the Taxi Driver Licensing Body with regard to improving the situation relating to electric wheelchairs. A reported progress, a private hire vehicle with the ability to carry 2 electric wheelchairs, has now been given approval for operation in South Ayrshire.
Also under discussion this month: adult changing facilities in South Ayrshire, disabled parking bay markings at a Maybole supermarket, the new layout at Whitletts roundabout, the new raised kerbs at bus stops and the use of the built-in ramps on buses by the drivers.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.