Venue: THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, PATHFINDER HOUSE, ST MARY'S STREET, HUNTINGDON PE29 3TN
Contact: Mr A Roberts Democratic Services Officer, Tel 01480 388009 / email Anthony.Roberts@huntsdc.gov.uk
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 2nd January 2007.
2 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd January 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda item. Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.
2 Minutes Minutes: No declarations were received. |
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STUDY - DISABILITY ACCESS |
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SPEAKING UP In pursuit of the study on disability access, to discuss with Speaking Up, a Cambridge based provider of advocacy services for people who experience learning difficulties, mental ill health and other disabilities, the need for facilities and services for those with high support needs.
45 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Panel received a presentation by a number of representatives of the Cambridgeshire Parliament on the work of Speaking Up, a Cambridge based provider of advocacy services for those with learning difficulties, mental ill health and other disabilities. Reference was made to the experiences of those with disabilities concerning the accessibility of places and services and how improvements might be made in these respects, which included the provision of toilet facilities for those with high support needs, improvements to leisure, transport and employment opportunities and enforcement of parking in spaces allocated for blue badgeholders. In response to a question by the Chairman, the Panel was informed that the Parliament exerted influence on a range of other organisations by inviting them to their Parliament meetings to discuss services and seeking pledges for changes.
The Panel discussed the Council’s consultation with the Parliament, the location and cost of disabled toilets, the Council’s communications, including the benefits of producing Council information in a larger size print, and the possible introduction of advocacy services located in Huntingdonshire. With regard to the latter, assurances were received that the Parliament would consider designating Officers to provide these services from District Council premises. Finally, the Panel received suggestions for other groups that could be involved in the study.
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To discuss with Geoff Morris of GAM Disability Consultancy, the Panel’s further requirements for information for the study on disability access.
Summaries of previous research findings in this area are attached to assist with the discussion.
30 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel went on to discuss with Mr G Morris, the consultant who undertook research for the Council’s Disability Equality Scheme, possible avenues for further study. Mr Morris acquainted the Panel with the background to the research he had previously carried out. In his view the principal challenges were improving public understanding of and attitude towards those with disabilities. He also outlined the duties of facility and service providers under the Disability Discrimination Act, the main purpose of which was to enhance inclusiveness.
Having discussed the prevalence of disability in the District and the Council’s provisions in terms of facilities and of advice, the Panel considered possible areas for further study. These included improving enforcement of disabled parking bays, extending the hours bus passes could be used by the disabled, the Council’s paperwork, advertising of disabled facilities at leisure centres and advocacy services at Council offices. The Panel also referred to the benefits of introducing for Council decisions, a dedicated group of consultees, representing those with learning, physical and sensory impairments, possible opportunities to promote the needs of those with disabilities through the Local Strategic Partnership and the Local Area Agreement and the County Council’s role in this area.
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 - FORWARD PLAN A copy of the current Forward Plan, which was published on 12th January 2007, is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.
15 Minutes Contact: R Reeves 388003 Minutes: The Panel considered the current Forward Plan of Key Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which had been prepared by the Leader for the period 1st February to 31st May 2007. In so doing, Members noted that items on Choice-Based Lettings and the Gender Equality Duty would appear on the Agenda at their next meeting and that the Environment Strategy would be considered at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) on 20th February 2007. Members also expressed an interest in receiving further details on the Delivery of Leisure Services and on the Play Strategy. With regard to the adoption of powers in relation to smoke-free premises and vehicles, the Panel was informed that a presentation on this subject would be provided for all Members prior to the meeting of the Panel in April 2007. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (SERVICE DELIVERY) - PROGRESS To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the Panel’s programme of studies.
15 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining details of action taken in response to recent discussions and decisions and reviewing the programme of studies. With regard to the study on the Rural Economy and Services, Members agreed to pursue the effects of new dentists contracts once a suitable body had been established to provide advice on this subject and to put in abeyance any other study on this topic. Furthermore, Councillor R W D Bailey indicated that there was nothing further he wished the Panel to pursue in this respect.
Having noted that Home Energy Efficiency would be considered at their next meeting, Members requested that the need for planning permission for various renewable energy related measures was included as part of the study. Members also noted that Councillor J S Watt had been co-opted onto the Working Group undertaking the study on the Small Scale Environmental Improvements scheme. |
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SCRUTINY To scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest (TO FOLLOW) and to raise any other matters for scrutiny that fall within the remit of the Panel.
10 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The 70th Edition of the Decision Digest was received and noted. |