Sutherland Access Panel Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18th January 2001, in The Highland Council Buildings, The Meadows, Dornoch at 1:30pm Present: Myra Aitken Oversteps Residential Home Sheila Board User/DASH Joyce Buchanan Highland Health Council Denise Carroll User Maggie Coupland LEAD North Andy Dawson Strathnaver Community Council Christian Goskirk North & West Sutherland CCF Ann Keatinge VG-ES Harold Lane User William Maclean User Martin Macleod Sutherland Care & Repair Shirley McHardy East Sutherland CCF Monica Mouat Highland Health Council John Sutherland Highland Council - Planning 1. Welcome & Apologies Apologies were received from Lyn Cleaton, Elizabeth Finlayson, Peter Harrison, Rosie James, David Polson and Dr Sen. 2. Meeting of Meeting held on 23rd November 2000 The Minute of the Meeting held on 23rd November 2000 was approved. 3. Matters Arising 3.1 Seed Corn Grant Christian Goskirk reported that she had made enquires regarding the above and had been advised that the Access Panel would not qualify as it is not an "Initiative at the Edge" area project. 3.2 DASH Funding Sheila Board stated that at this time the position re DASH Funding is still unclear. 3.3 Caithness Deaf Care Denise Carroll had received a letter from Caithness Deaf Care, which outlined the considerations re access for deaf people. It was agreed that a copy of the letter be circulated along with the minutes. 3.4 Bank Account Ann Keatinge reported that a Bank of Scotland Treasures Account has been opened in the name of Sutherland Access Panel. 3.5 Constitution The draft constitution was sent to the Inland Revenue for comment in December 2000. No comment has as yet been received. 4. Lochaber Access Panel Dr Sen was unable to attend the meeting, however he did offer some advice on various matters. 5. Planning Applications Shirley McHardy informed the group that two planning applications had been received prior to Christmas. As agreed at the inaugural meeting of the Access Panel these had been passed on to people in the relevant areas. It is the aim of the Access Panel to build up a network of people in the various localities who can be contacted and asked to study plans for the Access Panel, then comment. It was agreed that a "check list" be sent out with all plans, giving people a guide as to what we are looking for. Maggie Coupland agreed to prepare a draft for the next meeting. Panel members are reminded that all work done in the name of the Access Panel should go through Shirley McHardy. 6. Access Issues The following issues were reported: * Dornoch Library/Mobile Library. Access into the Library in Dornoch is difficult; this includes the door, which is too heavy to push. There are also issues surrounding the mobile library. * Highland Council Building, the Meadows Dornoch * Ross House. Doors are too heavy to open * Lochinver Tourist Information Centre. It was agreed that Ann Keatinge raise the Ross House doors issue with the Management Committee of North Highland College. It was further agreed that Mr McLaughlin, Area Manager for Sutherland is invited to the next meeting of the Access Panel to discuss access to council owned buildings. Sheila Board agreed to look into remote controlled appliances as advertised in the Disabled Drivers Association magazine. This information is to be made available at the next meeting. A letter is to be written to Mr Polson asking the position regarding ramps being installed on listed buildings. 7. Sutherland Access Panel Executive Committee It was agreed to form an Executive Committee of the Access Panel to deal with the day to day running of the Panel. Executive Committee meetings will take place on the same day and at the same location as Panel meetings. It will be called as and when required. Executive Committee members are: Monica Mouat (Panel Chairperson), Denise Carroll (Panel Vice-Chairperson), Ann Keatinge (Panel Treasurer), Shirley McHardy (Panel Secretary), Christian Goskirk (Panel Minute Secretary), Joyce Buchanan, Sheila Board and Andy Dawson (Panel members) 8. Travel Expenses It was agreed that travel expenses of 30 pence per mile would be payable to panel members. On this occasion claims forms are to be distributed with the minutes, otherwise they will be available at meetings. 9. AOCB 9.1 Historic Scotland Ann read from a letter received from Historic Scotland regarding a review they are currently undertaking. Denise agreed review the documentation given to her by Ann and to pursue the matter. 9.2 Dornoch Post Office Shirley read a letter, which had been sent by the Director of Roads and Transport, Highland Council regarding disabled parking outside the Post Office in Dornoch. It was agreed that Mr Mackenzie to be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss parking issues in greater detail. 10. DONM The next meeting of the Sutherland Access Panel will take place on Thursday 8th March 2001 in the Fisherman's Mission, Lochinver at 1:00pm. Also arranged at this time was the date for the meeting immediately following. It will take place on 26th April at 1:30pm in Lairg. 1