Secretary’s Report 18/08/2014 AGM: MONDAY 18TH AUGUST 2014 SECRETARY’S ANNUAL REPORT I will begin my report by stating that ‘The Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities’ supports the right of all individuals to “full and effective participation and inclusion in society” (United Nations 2006, Article 3) However, there is a growing realisation within H.P.A. that both Article 3 and the Equality Act 2010 are not being adhered or adopted in terms of planning with regard to disabled people. Therefore, H.P.A. notes that training is required by both Planners and Staff with regard to their ‘General Duty’, and to general related access issues. Over the past year we have built upon relations with both the private and public sectors. We must continue to foster and increase these opportunities; as fundamental social change is the key to the doors of acceptance and opportunity for disabled people. I do believe that we have achieved this objective to some extent over the past year; maybe small steps, but, nevertheless, we have continued to influence, and ensure that policies and procedures affecting disabled people are reformed or addressed to take into account their needs and abilities. So what have we achieved together? Some of our successes are listed below: Project: Organising Accessible Event(s) was finalised and completed in September 2013. It can be viewed via High Peak Access’ and High Peak CVS’ website. Consultations It seems clear from the responses at the consultation meetings, that Disabled People/H.P.A. need to be involved in the planning stages of forthcoming projects, it is also clear that we must be available at each stage throughout the process, for example, Howard Town Mill Complex, Glossop, and the forthcoming project The Crescent & Spa, Buxton. This will enable Disabled People/H.P.A. the opportunity to have their say in matters that affect them. 1 Secretary’s Report 18/08/2014 1. Peak District National Park Authority’s ‘You’re Welcome ‘Access’ Guide’ 2. The Dentist Surgery, Sett Valley, New Mills – pending 3. Chevin Housing 4. Howard Town Mill Shopping Complex, Glossop 5. New Mills Leisure Centre – Swimming Pool Complex 6. Pavilion Arts Centre/Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton 7. Tactile Crossing, Sainsbury’s Buxton re parking issues. 8. Toddbrook Sailing Club 9. Hadfield, improvements to pavements 10. Audio Trails, Old Glossop Heritage Trail 11. Glossop Heritage Halls – pending 12. Hearing Loop System, Fairfield 13. Buxton Crescent & Spa, Historic Building – pending 14. Accessible Theatres 15. High Peak Local Plan Access Audits 1. Toddbrook Sailing Club, Whaley Bridge 2. Hope Village, Public Accessible Toilet 3. Methodist Church, Chapel-en-le-Frith 4. St. John’s Church, Marple Road, Charlesworth, Derbyshire 5. 3 Jackson Building, Glossop 6. Central Methodist Church, Accessible Toilet, Chapel Street, Glossop 7. Glossop Polling Station Assessments 1. Howard Town Mill Complex, Glossop 2. Furness Vale Pedestrian Footpath 3. A53 Burbage Buxton Traffic Signals 4. New Mills Leisure Centre, ‘Changing Village’ New Mills 5. New Mills N.H.S. Family Dental Surgery, Sett Valley New Mills 6. Station Lane, Back Lane, Hathersage 7. St. Christopher’s Trust, Redcourt, Hollin Cross Lane 8. Bradbury House, Glossop 9. Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills 10. Footpath 3. Whaley Bridge Canal Basin 11. Access routes to Terrace Road and Bath Road, Buxton 12. Bus stop improvements, Little Hayfield 2 Secretary’s Report 18/08/2014 13. Station Road, Chinley 14. Glossop Register Office 15. Surrounding area of Buxton Opera House, Buxton re access route, accessible parking/designated bays 16. High Street, Dental Centre, Buxton 17. Traffic Regulation Order: Low Leighton Road/Laneside Road, New Mills 18. Entrance to Pizza Shop, Victoria Street, Glossop 19. Broadwalk Dental Centre, Buxton 20. Ashwood Park, Buxton & Bakewell Road, Buxton High Peak Access – Training 1. High Peak Volunteering and Advancement Project offered Access Audit Training to High Peak Access Members. The training was supplied by MaceMark, and was excellent. Paul Salmen, Joan Rutherford and Jeff Edwards attended the Training Course. 2. High Peak Volunteering and Advancement Project offered Hearing Loop Training to High Peak Access Members. This training was well attended. 3. Training and Development offered by Manchester Disabled People’s Access Group. Dave and Bill attended the training. 4. Training re ‘Organising Accessible Event(s) – pending, waiting for Peter to make an interactive version of the Tool Kit (this is subject to funding) 5. How to write Reports in ‘Plain English’. Pending Speakers 1. Louise Machin, Access Officer, Derbyshire County Council provided a ‘Talk’ with regard to her remit. 2. Simon Tranter, Economy, Transport & Environment. Cllr. Ellie Wilcox was also present at the meeting. Working in Partnership Organisations who have contacted us with regard to access issues through our website, for example: Bench Architects, Adam Bench 3 Secretary’s Report 18/08/2014 Contact by Individuals 1. T. W. Grindleford – re dropped kerbs 2. Gentleman, Maidstone Kent via High Peak CVS 3. K.T. Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter User, re inaccessible train station/train, Whaley Bridge 4. R.L. re car-parking tickets and car parking issues, Glossop 5. J.P. re Interpreter refused at Glossop Registry Office 6. A.C. re Parking issues, Travel Lodge, Howard Town Mill Complex, Glossop 7. Resident of Glossop re concerns about access re planning application for development at Charlestown Representations to other organisations 1. Community Reference Group – Chevin Housing 2. Peak District National Park Authority 3. High Peak Borough Council 4. Derbyshire County Council 5. High Peak CVS Advisory Group Articles 1. Alison has written an article for N.D.V.A. 2. Dave has written an article for the publication: Centre for Accessible Environments. 3. Dave has written a Training Brief for H.P.B.C. 4. Joan has written a press release re Howard Town Mill Complex, Glossop. 5. Joan has designed and composed a PowerPoint Presentation re Howard Town Mill, Complex, Glossop 6. Gordon has written a report re Chevin Housing N.B. H.P.A has produced, published and distributed a new leaflet Events 1. Members from High Peak Access attended High Peak CVS’s AGM, at Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mills 2. Buxton Sports Without Barriers, The Dome, Buxton 3. Glossop Carnival – H.P.A. had a stall at this event. The new H.P.A. Banners were displayed. 4 Secretary’s Report 18/08/2014 4. Community Voice, Glossop. Dave and Joan attended And, lastly: Our Project: An APP: ‘A TOOLKIT FOR ORGANISING AN ACCESSIBLE EVENT’, is under way ... In conclusion, we should be pleased with our achievements over the past year. Progress has been made to the built environment both in the public and private sectors. This has been achieved by our offer of practical and realistic solutions on a raft of access issues, notably access to the Built Environment and Services/Facilities. However, we still have a long way to go to ensure that all places and spaces are accessible and convenient to use by ALL people. Alison Salmen Secretary High Peak Access Monday 18th August 2014 5 .