DUNDEE ACCESS GROUP
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 5TH MAY 2016 IN THOMAS HERD HOUSE, WARD ROAD, DUNDEE.
PRESENT: Carole Craig, Anne Farrow, Sandy Cameron, Denise Cameron, Dorothy Wilson, Marie Riley, Christine Wilson, Lillian Malcolm, Gordon McDonald, Denis Bethell.
APOLOGIES: Erik Cramb, Doreen McNab, Claire Allan.
1. INVITED SPEAKER:
Today’s speaker Willie Lees explained that the GMB Union had formed with the belief that Dundee should have a fully wheelchair accessible fleet of taxis as it believed that it was the only way to ensure that disabled residents in and visitors to Dundee were provided with as good service as those with no disabilities. This would be in common with all other major cities in Scotland. We explained why, in the past, Dundee Access Group had supported a mixed fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles and saloon cars. However Willie reassured us that the variety of wheelchair accessible vehicles available today was such that all our needs could be met by them and Willie offered to provide us with a demonstration at a mutually convenient time. We thanked him for coming to talk with us and providing us with food for thought. We will now discuss the situation with representatives from Dundee City Council.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:
The minutes of the meeting held on 7th April 2016 were approved.
3. MATTERS ARISING:
3.1. (Re minute 3.1). Carole will get in touch with McDonalds again.
3.2. (Re minute 3.2). Erik has submitted an article about our ramps project for the Chamber of Commerce magazine, an article has appeared in the Dundee Partnership Bulletin and the Centre for Inclusive Living Perth and Kinross have been in touch with Carole about the project, so a lot of publicity is being generated.
3.3. (Re minute 3.4). Dorothy reported that an order has been placed for the track for the hoist.
3.4. (Re minute 3.5). Erik continues to be in touch with Mr Orr.
3.5. (Re minute 4.14). Erik and Anne have arranged to meet Scott Mands on 17th May.
3.6. (Re minute 5.1). Dave Ellison has now started putting the minutes of our Access Group meetings on our website once they are approved.
4 CORRESPONDENCE:
By e-mail
4.1 On 4/4/16 from John Whyman, Outdoor Access Officer, with an invitation to Dundee Local Access Forum AGM.
4.2 On 4/4/16 from SDEF with an invitation to their Access Panel Conference and AGM in October.
4.3 On 8/4/16 from Voluntary Gateway Dundee sending an invitation to attend the launch of their Third Sector Manifesto prior to the Holyrood Elections.
4.4 On 11/4/16 from the Volunteer Centre Dundee looking for nominations for its first ever Volunteering Awards.
4.5 On 12/4/16 from Charmaine Wanless, Customer Services Manager, Dundee City Council, sending the Reshaping Care Network E-Bulletin for April 2016.
4.6 On 15/4/16 from Gill Faichney, Project Support Worker, Dial-OP, Volunteer Centre Dundee, sending a Survey on the Morning Call Service.
4.7 On 19/4/16 from Scott Mands with a copy of DisabledGo's annual access report for Dundee for our information.
4.8 On 19/4/16 from SDEF with info re Transport Engagement Events.
4.9 On 19/4/16 from Scott Mands with an invitation to attend the launch of Dundee's Safe Places Initiative.
4.10 On 19/4/16 from Scott Mands asking for a meeting with DAG to discuss the Disability and Age Action Group.
Anne & Erik will meet Scott on 17th May.
4.11 On 26/4/16 from Anne Corlett, Mott MacDonald, with info re the Dundee Coastal Flood Protection Scheme: Broughty Ferry & Dunes Beach Access and inviting our comments.
Dorothy suggested it might be a good idea to have Anne Corlett come to speak with us. Anne Farrow will invite her to speak to the Group in August. (AGM in June and Peter Nurick coming to speak in July).
4.12 On 27/4/16 from SDEF with a copy of their SDEF Voice Issue 31.
4.13 On 29/4/16 from Madeline Rees, Reshaping Care, with a poster for Celebrating Activities in our Neighbourhoods.
4.14 On 29/4/16 from Dundee City Council, Traffic Order - Variation of Waiting Restrictions Order 2016.
By Post
4.15 On22/4/16 from Richard McCready, Dundee City Councillor sending correspondence he had received stating that a licensing board is prohibited from imposing conditions on licenses even if it might make premises more disabled-friendly.
5. TREASURERS REPORT
5.1 As a result of adopting our new Constitution we now need another signatory for our bank account.
Marie volunteered.
5.2 Sandy issued a Statement of Accounts for the year to 31st March 2016. He will get them audited for the AGM next month.
6 A.O.C.B.
6.1 Our next meeting on Thursday 2nd June will be our AGM.
6.2 During major works on Perth Road, traffic will be one-way, running from east to west. There will be parking on one side of the road. Traffic going into town will run along the Hawkhill. There will be ‘customer service personnel’ on site from both the bus and the water companies. There will be a bus loop system. If you are going into town by bus from Perth Road, you get a bus going west as far as the library where you change to a bus going into town. This will be on one ticket and there will be customer assistance at the library. The plans are currently on display at the Library.
6.3 The owner of 1st Stop 2 Shop in Fintry wants us to go and look at it. Erik will go and would like a wheelchair user to go with him.
Lillian will go with Erik.
6.4 Erik sent word that the Fairness Commission will be publishing their report on 20th May.
6.5 Denis suggested that we give a donation to Shopmobility.
7 DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
Our 2016 AGM will take place at 12.45 on THURSDAY 2nd June 2016 in Thomas Herd House, 10 - 12 Ward Road, Dundee, DD1 1LX. This will be followed by our usual monthly meeting.
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
c/o Dundee Carers Centre
Seagate House 124 Seagate Dundee DD1 2HB
web: www.dundeeaccessgroup.co.uk
e-mail: dundeeaccessgroup.org@hotmail.co.uk