SUTHERLAND ACCESS PANEL Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27th August 2001, in the Ferrycroft Centre, Lairg Present: Sheila Board User/DASH Joyce Buchanan Highland Health Council Maggie Coupland Lead North Christian Goskirk North & West Sutherland C C F Ann Keatinge VG-ES Ann Lynch User Shirley McHardy East Sutherland C C F Monica Mouat Highland Health Council Sandra Peterkin HOST John Sutherland Highland Council - Planning Dept 1. WELCOME & APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Andy Dawson, Carl Lemkes, Gerry Lemkes, Rita Finlayson, Jamie Stone MSP, Denise Carroll and Martin MacLeod. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 3. MATTERS ARISING 3.1 Forest Enterprise Shirley reported that Ann Mackay no longer works for Forest Enterprise, therefore there would be no member of staff available to accompany panel members on a walk after the meeting. Members were invited to take copies of leaflets made available by Forest Enterprise, detailing their access guide and details of walks in Sutherland. 3.1 Fundraising Issues * Moray Firth Radio has awarded the Panel a grant of £150 * Camelot Foundation - an application has been made to the Camelot Foundation for panel running costs. 3.2 Access Issues * Bank of Scotland - Golspie. A letter was received from the Architect answering the concerns of the panel. Members are invited to a site meeting, to be arranged at a later date, should they wish. * Community Councils - no further replies. * Golspie Health Centre - Shirley had contacted Dr Ross with the Panels concerns. No response has been received to date. Shirley and Monica will follow it up at the meeting of the East Sutherland LHCC, which is due to meet on Thursday 30th August. * Dunrobin Castle - A letter was written highlighting the concerns of the panel. No reply has been received. * Dornoch Sheriff Court - A response to the letter written by the panel has been received. Sheriff Clerk Depute (Len MacLaughlin) has invited members of the panel to a meeting, at which the issues of the panel can be highlighted. Monica Mouat will accompany Cllr Finlayson to the meeting. 4. Lochaber Access Panel Dr Sen has agreed to visit the Access Panel at its next meeting. He had proposed that should members of the panel prefer to meet with him at the Highland Access Panels meeting in Inverness on 15th October he would be happy to do so. However it was felt that it would be of more benefit to have Dr Sen address the Sutherland Access Panel at its meeting on 9th October. The Highland Access Panel meeting is due to takes place on 15th October. Neither Shirley nor Christian will be available to attend. Shirley to propose to the Secretary that as this is the school holidays the date is changed. N.B. The Highland Access Panels meeting will now take place on 8th October in Inverness. 5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS * Rogart Primary School Extension (Nursery Building). Issues of concern for the Panel included compliance with Social Work Regulations and the height of the disabled toilets, bearing in mind that children would use them. (Architects - Highland Council, Dingwall 01349 868565) * Oakwood Place Play Area, Ardgay. * Golspie Heritage Society. Plans for outline permission only. * Evlix Filling Station/Restaurant * Helmsdale Community Centre. There was a query regarding the disabled toilets at ground level (Architects - IMD Architects, 29 St Lenords Road, Forres 01309 673221 * Recreational Facility, Durness. Plans for outline permission only. * Dornoch Castle Hotel. (Architects - ADL Architects, 12 Church Street, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1AQ 013394 43721) 6. ACCESS ISSUES * Advertising of facilities for people with a disability. A concern was raised that there is a feeling Hotels are upgrading rooms and providing disabled facilities, which are not being used. The panel felt that there is a need for these facilities, and they would be used if properly marketed. Sandra Peterkin agreed to ascertain what information is available at Scottish level re guides and advertising of disabled facilities. 7. DATE FOR SUTHERLAND ACCESS PANEL AGM This item had been included on the Agenda in error. It is not essential to hold an AGM until next year. 8. AOCB There was no other competent business. 9. DONM The next meeting of the Sutherland Access Panel will take place on Tuesday 9th September 2001 at 1: 30pm, at Highland Council Building, The Meadows, Dornoch.