BRECKNOCK ACCESS GROUP-ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2009-10

Having taken over the role as Chairman only in February this year, I admit to being "a new guy on the block" in this privileged position and hope I will be able to reach the satisfactory standards expected by the group.

SUCCESSES

Planning applications received by Brecon Beacons National Parks have been monitored by them to a much higher standard with regards to Access and Design Statements. Although David still vigorously checks them, he now seems to provide far fewer complaints from BAG.

Planning applications received and monitored by Powys County Council in the south of the county have also improved with fewer objections being lodged. Unfortunately, those in the north of the county fail to reach the same standards. The application for the upstairs Indian Restaurant in Llanidloes has still not been settled and is now with the head of planning, Ms Leslie Kirkpatrick and PCC's legal team. David has clearly stated that a precedent for this type of planning must not go ahead. If it does, Matthew Williams from the EHRC is prepared to look at it. This could be another successful intervention.

David Summers, John Phillips and Tony Crowhurst from Torfaen have given several talks to Planning, Building Control Officers and agents in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Gwent County Councils as well as Pembs National Parks and associated organisations. Their presentation has proved extremely successful with Access Officers in those areas applauding their efforts.

John P and David have been involved in the WAG "Planning Aid" scheme. This will be a guidance booklet for planners, building control officers, architects and agents. This publication is now imminent and will, hopefully, aid the correct way Access and Design Statements are to be written. Many thanks to both David and John.

As always, relations with Brecon Building Control are excellent and I would like to thank Paul Griffiths, and all the Building Control Officers, for their advice and support especially throughout the last year.

The "Brecon Big Challenge" was a good success when the Chief Constable, Ian Arrundale, the Chief Superintendant, Steve Hughson, the Chief Executive of PCC, Jeremy Patterson and our MP, Roger Williams took up our challenge to negotiate their way around Brecon in a wheelchair and using sim specs. It highlighted many problems and the police and traffic warden seem to be more aware of the necessity to remove vehicles obstructing footways. We find as a result of talking to Jeremy Patterson, a handle has now been put on the toilet for the disabled in the car park!

BAG's pressure on Powys County Council to implement their "Clear Pavement Policy" seems to be bearing fruit. We have been told that it was implemented when the policy was decided three years ago. It seems their information about advertising and providing leaflets to retailers was incorrect. Sue Nelson has contacted Brent Campbell from Highways at PCC and we will be having a meeting and "walkabout" with him in the near future to highlight the non-implementation in Brecon. Problems in other Brecknock towns will be discussed at the same time.

The new crossing point near the Cathedral has been installed and waiting to be commissioned. We have concerns that there is no provision for an over-riding key for the "lollipop man" . This has been brought to the attention of PCC

In May '09 Carwyn Fowler from the Disability Law Service in London was our speaker. He explained how the charity was hoping to set up in Wales to help Disabled People with their problems. We wrote to Kirsty Williams, AM, and the then first Minister, Rhodri Morgan who replied positively supporting the idea but mo mention of financial backing. The report has been completed and Margaret Seaman, David and I attended the Senedd in Cardiff on Monday 22^nd March for the launch. Unfortunately, there is no funding in place for the DLS to come to Wales at the present time. However, they have been allocated money for three "key cases" in Wales and were very interested in hearing our problems. I have been told one of their solicitors will be phoning me in the near future.

Perhaps now would be a good time to invite Roger Williams MP as a speaker to tell his opinions on how the DDA is working. Roger was on the committee which discussed the introduction of the DDA.

With the help of Terry in his capacity of Community Health Council member we were invited to Brecon Surgery to assess the new consulting rooms. Our suggestion for the removal of a door to the new area was approved and easier access is now available.

Because of health problems Terry is not able to continue with the CHC but I extend our gratitude for the tireless work he has undertaken.

Consultations with Brecon War Memorial Hospital have also proved to be very successful with work on the new entrance, road and parking areas being started in April. This scheme will prevent parking on the pavements and safer crossing points from the car park to the hospital.

In Oct '09 Lee Marshall from PCC re-cycling dept spoke to us. We were surprised to hear that an "assisted collection" scheme existed for those who were unable to cope with putting out their waste. A request form is available from the PCC help desk but needs to be endorsed by your GP. The new waste/recycling collection scheme has been suspended due to lack of finance in PCC.

Several successful Access Audits have been completed during this year.

Michael has been extremely busy behind the scenes setting up a new website. Members can now input news items etc. themselves. I'm sure we all want to thank Michael for his work.

TALGARTH

Visits to Talgarth with a member of the Highways team were successful. Dropped kerbs will be highlighted in the budget. A site survey of the redevelopment of the Mill proved beneficial when some access concerns were discussed and the plans were amended.

YSTRADGYNLAIS

This strong sub-group achieves excellent results. Their work does not go un-noticed and I thank everyone for their support and continual hard work.

BUILTH WELLS

Sue Nelson has been the mainstay in ensuring the guidance of this new sub-group. They have successfully completed a training exercise in doing an access survey of the Riverside Community Hall where they meet. This has produced a request for a full survey. Thank you Sue.

NOT SO SUCCESSFUL

We have changed our venue for meetings from the Guildhall to Cradoc road Youth Centre because of difficult access issues. An Access Survey of the Guild Hall has been completed but even though it is a public building no alterations have been made apart from a bell on the back entrance.

Our efforts to ask the Police to extend the powers of the PCSO's will not happen. PCC are currently in the process of taking over parking/obstruction issues and Street Monitors will come into force in about Oct 2011. The Police say it is not financially viable to train up PCSO's for such a short time.

PCC has gone ahead closing many Public Conveniences and introduced the "Comfort Break" scheme whereby they pay 500 pounds to businesses to make their toilets available to the public. Despite having requested a list of these premises I have not had a reply.

Heather Ross, PCC's Equalities Officer addressed the February meeting. It seems she will not deal with local or personal issues as the new "Single Equality" scheme is being produced even though this is not yet gone through the legislation stages. PCC have not updated their DES-- a surprise for Matthew Williams at the EHRC.

Funding applications have not been successful including a joint Welsh Access Group application to the EHRC. As a result we were unable to keep Katherine Easton on as our co-ordinator and sadly, she finished last July. On the bright side we will keep trying!

ON-GOING

The intentions of some County Councillors to have the Brecon Bus/Taxi gate removed are problematical. They are not considering Professional Reports commissioned before the work began which includes statements about the economic viability, pedestrian safety and the long term danger of damage to Listed Buildings and Ancient Monuments. No efforts to obtain further advice have been taken. Nor has any impact survey been commissioned. The Brecon Working Group Party (a sub-group of PCC's Shire committee) is still gathering evidence and will report back to the Shire initially. We hope to be informed of meeting they have and the minutes of them.

The publication "Eating Out Guide" has again been printed with little information regarding disabled access.

Brecon Town Council has produced the new Town Guide and although we have been given several paragraphs, unfortunately our e-mail address is incorrect as is the information on the "Open for All" booklet. Sue will be contacting the Town Clerk

May I take this opportunity to thank all members for their support throughout the years? We are making progress and much more quickly than in the past. The attendance, help and input of Councillors and members of organisations is greatly appreciated and I am sure this is the way forward.

Good Health

Anne Summers

Chairman

Brecknock Access Group

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