Report from the meeting of 27 September 2007
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.
Ongoing planning consultation considerations this month include provision of accessible toilets at a car showroom and a residential home in Ayr, disabled parking and toilet facilities at an Inn in Loans and a ramp at business premises in Prestwick. New planning applications include disabled parking at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, a ramp at a caravan park in Turnberry, door width within premises in Girvan, Maybole and Ayr, a ramp and protective barrier at business premises in Ayr and disabled parking spaces at a hospital in Ayr..
Two Panel members were invited to the AGM of SDEF which will be held in Dunfermline, Fife on Tuesday 20 November 2007.
The Panel were advised that the Shopmobility Scheme had now received the first installment of their grant from South Ayrshire Council but that the next instalment is already overdue. To meet with the criteria for further funding a questionnaire is to be completed to ascertain the effectiveness of the project. This will be directed at carers, users and retailers.
Further discussion took place about the beach wheelchairs and it was decided to make intensive enquiries to groups who already loan out this type of equipment (for example, local authorities and other Shopmobilities). Concerns raised included: insurance. life guards, storage (because beach wheelchairs are much bigger than normal wheelchairs) and usage.
Regarding the possible re-location of the Shopmobility office, the manager of the Kyle Centre advised that no definite plans have been made yet.
The Panel were advised that the DRC had decided not to go ahead with their action against the Clydesdale Bank in Prestwick with regard to the installation of an access ramp as it was not a point of law.
The Panel were notified of the re-schedule of the next Taxi Drivers Disability Awareness Training meeting which will now be held on 19 November 2007.
It was reported to the Panel that the speed limit in Ayr High Street could not be lowered.
The Panel were alerted to the dangerous 600mm gap where the public toilets used to be at the north end of Newton Shore, between the road and the walkway around the golf course. The Roads Department will be contacted with regard to this.
A Panel member had tried out the audio description headphones at the Odeon Cinema in Ayr. He reported that a £20 deposit was required for the use of this equipment. This was felt to be excessive.
The Panel were advised that there is no disabled access to the popular tourist attraction of Kirk Alloway Church. Disabled access to the ancient monument had been considered but any alterations to the listed graveyard would be unlikely to get Listed Building Consent from Historic Scotland.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.