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Disability
and Mobility Co-ordinator’s Page
The
Story So Far
Hello, my name is Chris Hall and I am the Brookvale Community
Association’s Vulnerable Person’s Officer.
I have held this post since its conception in October 2004. The post was known previously as
Disability and Mobility Co-ordinator and it’s original intention was to
assist with the many disability enquires that can our way as a result on
the changes to the Disability Discrimination Act in October 2004.
Since October 2004 there has been increased legislation
within Britain
as regards equality. I have
therefore made it my mission to provide support and signposting to all
areas of equality to the best of my abilities.
In Late 2006 I joined the Disability Forum for Basingstoke and District and in doing so am now
attending many meeting of the forum and the forum’s sub-groups. Since joining the forum I have aimed to
joined as many of its sub-groups and consultations as possible. These consultation included an invitation
from Sir George Young MP to the Houses Of Parliament which was organised by
RADAR to allow disabled people to raise concerns about government policy,
as well as audits like the Crown
Heights Bridge
and the redesigning of parking arranges in Lower Church Street.
I have used the information which I gathered from the
forum to help me deliver a better service to Brookvale Community
Association and the Brookvale area most notably by informing the
association on everything and anything which may effect the association and
its residents. This includes things
like:
·
A number of borough consultation papers.
·
Crown Heights
Bridge restricted public right of Way
opening times.
·
Lower Church Street redesigning of parking
arrangements.
·
Proposals for The Malls Shopping Centre
I sit on the Brookvale
Community Association’s Development Sub-committee in order to help both
advice and solve access and equality issues raised by the various planning
applications that come to its attention.
I also sit on the
BCOT/Brookvale Liaison Committee to raise access and equality issued rose
between the association and BCOT.
Latest news:
- There will be dropped kerbs
installed at the hall.
- It was announced that DLA
is safe at the Labour conference.
- Gowrings has entered administration.
- Using their mobile phone Blue Badge holders can view parking bays,
accessible toilets, petrol stations with service call and more, via an
interactive map. The new service even allows users to check the local
council parking rules all via their mobile phones. Take a look at the
demonstration video via the Directgov website - just visit www.direct.gov.uk/bbmobile
Issues I have dealt with……..
I have recently worked alongside County Councillor Jo Kelly
to resolve the reduced access issues to the alleyway between Highfield
Chase and Wording Road. We now have an alleyway accessible to
all.
I have also raised concerns that a lift should be
included in the Willis
Museum
refurbishment. It is believed a
platform lift will be provided between floors. A through floor is not viable due to
conservation restraints.
Some of the
things I can do to help you…..
I intend to continue to develop the services I
offer. Current if you have any of
the following issues or concerns please feel free to contact me:
·
Do you have trouble accessing BCA services?
·
Do you need help when booking the village hall?
·
Would you like to see more seating in public areas etc.?
·
Is the Website and Blurb information accessible to you?
·
Do you have any issue with accessing local services?
·
Would you like more/less street furniture i.e. lighting?
·
Are Pathways wide enough?
·
Is Parking Provision an issue for you?
·
Are there enough dropped kerbs and are they accessible?
·
Are The Street safe to use i.e. do you find that shared
footpath/cycleway use is a problem?
·
Do Wheelie Bins littler your route?
·
Are proposed plans of concern to you? will there alteration make
your route less safe or impossible?
·
Are services being relocated to areas which are difficult to
access?
Please remember that just because your neighbour has
written it does not mean you don’t have to.
The more complaints/concerns the stronger the argument. Neither will my compliant on your behalf
carry as much weight.
Chris would like to
stress that he can only effectively act on your behalf if you all let him
know your concerns.
Planning
Issues
Chris is interested in access aspects of planning
applications. Contact him with any comments you have. All major
applications have to undergo access audits and these can reject in an
application being rejected. When contacting Chris on planning issues please
include planning reference number, proposal details and location details,
all of which are on the proposal letter.
The
Disability Forum
Chris is part of the Disability Forum that is
facilitated by the Borough Council. He is taking part in the Central Area
Planning Consultation, is part of the Access Working Group and the Access
Working Group Committee. For more information on the Disability Forum and
to get involved please contact Chris.
How
to Contact the Disability and Mobility Co-ordinator
Contact Chris Hall either by:
· Telephone (01256) 351074 (an
answerphone is available on this line).
· e-mail at chris.hall@brookvale.org.uk.
For those of you which have e-mail this would be the preferred method as
Chris can raise your concerns more effectively.
· At 3Cs Coffee mornings, where
Chris holds a disability surgery.
· By post c/o 169 Lower Brook
Street RG21 7RP.
Whilst Chris will endeavour to raise any concerns he
cannot be held responsible for anybody failing to acknowledge these
concerns, neither can he be held responsible if you are dissatisfied with
the finished product although he will try to rectify any dissatisfaction.
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