Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel: 01788 533796
Minutes of an Ordinary meeting held At Hamilton House at 10:00 am on Tuesday 25th April 2005
Present: Marion Hersey, Andrew Cowan, Enid Blencoe, Gillian Brown, Geoff Wild, Derek Hillman, Joanne Roberts, Leslie Rogers Lionel Broughton, Sue Hillman, Robin Richter, Cliff Dennis, Daphne Johnson, Patsy Newson, Gordon Boyle, Tim Margerison, Eileen Cowan, Chris McGaffney, Sheena Corbett, John Hicks, Pat Clarke, Tony Woffenden, Anne Clarke, Clare Paisley, David Foster, Paul Tolley, Derek Barnett.
Apologies: Jack Lawton, Gloria Lawley-Ord, Errol Thompson, Mala Solanki, Desiree Lambert. Joyce Carter, John Burrell, Jean Box, Jan Dunseith, Joan Nyilassy.
Presentation by Chris Paget on the new Rugby College.
The presentation explained that Warwickshire College now comprises the original college in Leamington, the Moreton Morell campus and the new Trident Centre in Whitnash (Leamington Spa) as well as the new build to take place on the old Alstom works in Rugby.
A short DVD was shown.
Cliff Dennis asked about transport? The college uses 23 buses per day in total currently. A bus route is expected and has been discussed but the college have no control over it.
Daphne stated that local centres that run courses will cease to run these due to the implementation of the college. Daphne raised her concern that especially older people who currently access courses will not continue to access such courses as IT etc as they will now have to pay for them.
Chris stated that the college is in the position of being funded under LSC contracts which are now being heavily focussed upon young learners and stated that they would be unable to control Government Funding.
A question was asked about the integrity of the build given that the old Alstom works were built upon waste and the site of an old river.
Chris explained that this has been thought about and a study is expected back from St Modwen which will detail the integrity of the ground site. If there are any problems. .St Modwen, ( The Developers) will make good the site before the build of the new college is started.
Lionel raised that he has been unable to access a computer course at the Rugby college and now has to travel to Sheffield to access a computer course that is accessible to him as a blind person.
ACTION: Chris Paget gave a commitment to Lionel to look into this issue personally and explore what has happened with the College Principal Ioan Morgan.
A question was asked about what is going to happen with the Black Path. It was highlighted that the planning permission being considered presently for a decision on the 11th May still details the steps being in place. David explained that Rugby Borough Council Access Officer, Rugby Disability Forum and Paul Tolley from Council of Disabled People have all lodged their objections to the current proposal to keep the steps.
St Modwen’s proposal is to open up the Black Path along the full length. The College footprint will be very close to the Black Path and it is intended that an accessible and acceptable gradient will be put in place. Chris clarified that the Black Path has been incorporated into the Town Centre Access Plan and Robin Richter confirmed this. This means that the security including plans for CCTV will come under the jurisdiction of the Town Centre Company.
ACTION: Chris will speak with Network Rail and clarify the situation as Warwickshire College are keen to see the steps removed.
Security?:
Warwickshire College will fence the site, install CCTV and provide security staff to the site to ensure security on site.
Blue Badge holder spaces at the college?
Chris stated that the college is working to the highest access standards that they can and that spaces will be provided as close to the front of the building as possible and abuse of disabled parking pays will be monitored as is required under the DDA.
The college will campaign for as much parking as they can accommodate.
Irresponsible driving on the site?
Chris stated that this is not too much of a problem on the Leamington site but that the new site CCTV cameras will have number plate recognition software to ensure that anyone driving irresponsibly can be dealt with.
Turn around point at the site?
Chris McGaffney asked whether large buses such as the one used by the Bloxham centre will be able to turn around within the car park.
Chris stated that the plans are in place to accommodate the buses.
Chris explained that a Bistro will be run by Disabled students as part of the college.
Fire-proofed Lift.
Chris explained that the College have been in talks with David Foster and that the College is now planning to install a fire-proof lift as opposed to providing refuges on each level for Disabled people. Smoke detectors will also be installed which will be networked so as to enable the complete zoning of the building.
Medical room & Counselling room.
Both of these separate rooms will be provided on site and on the ground floor. David asked that folding wheelchairs be available. Chris confirmed that these will be available.
Signage.
It was asked whether there is a plan for a signage strategy?
Chris stated that RNIB and DRC guidance is being used in looking at the signage strategy.
David thanked Chris for the presentation and this issue will be put on the agenda for the net meeting of the Forum on May 30th.
Correspondence:
Gloria has been in contact with David and Gloria asked for her apologies to be forwarded. Unfortunately Gloria has been unable to attend the last 6 committee meetings so another member needs to be elected in her place.
David asked whether anyone would like to stand on the committee in Gloria’s place.
Pam – 12 votes
Geoff – 2 votes
Pam was elected on to the committee.
ACTION: Tim Margerison to send Pam all of the committee minutes for this current year.
Decriminalisation
If any member has any concerns, questions or points to raise on decriminalisation please contact David and he will feedback to John Kerslake.
ACTION ALL
Committee Reports:
A) Caldecott Park: Rugby has been successful in its application to the Lottery for 1 million pounds.
B) Dropped Kerbs: Martin will be contacting Lesley Hanson and arrange a meeting of interested members to carry out a survey of dropped kerb areas. Geoff Wilde volunteered to take Gloria’s place in carrying out the survey.
C) Shopwatch: Gillian and Tim are working together and it is becoming apparent that some shop owners are using the same excuse for not meeting the DDA requirements. Co-op electrical is now accessible to get into.
Items for Discussion.
Race & Disability Forum Saturday 20th May
Paul explained that the Rugby Race & Disability Forum are holding a conference on Saturday 20th May with a buffet from 1pm, guest speakers including Jeremy Wright, workshops and entertainment.
Andrew Cowan: Website.
The website is doing very well, minutes of all past meetings are up there.
A.O.B.
Eileen Cowan asked that the Disability Equality Scheme questionnaire be sent out with the agenda to all members.
ACTION: David to ensure that this happens.
Application to Awards for All
Our application goes to the acceptance committee on the 11th May next.
Next Meeting. Tuesday 30th May 2006