Report 23/05/2010

Since Lynne's last report Broadstone Access group has been involved in the 'state of the area debate 2030', held at the BOP council meeting on February 12th. We were invited to have a stand in the exhibition area and thus able to network. Debate was welcomed about the future of Poole.

Broadstone access meeting held March 12th 2010. Discussion was held re inconsiderate parking in the toast rack in front of Boots/Tesco. Especially parking inconsiderately on the dropped curb. From April 2010 it is now an offence for anybody to be parked across a drop kerb. Also anyone with a Blue Badge on their car, can now park free of charge for three hours in any off road car park in the BOP. This does not however apply to multi storey car parks.

Lynda Adby updated us on our progress with the application for funding for the Broadstone Access Group Disability swimming Club at Lodge Hill Swimming Pool, which is fitted with ceiling hoists and all facilities for the disabled. We have already received some of the funding from the BOP towards this project.

Local Involvement Network (LINKS) invited Broadstone Access to participate in the Direct Payment and Personalisation Day at the Thistle hotel in Poole, where we displayed information about our group. During the day organisations discussed the Future of Care in the BOP. If you would like to know more about Personalisation and Individual Budgets, which is a method for paying for care for both people with disabilities and the elderly, adopted by the BOP, please attend Broadstone Access Groups next meeting on July 9th when we will have a presentation on this subject by Social Services.

Broadstone Access Group is involved win the Governments consultation on the proposed changes to the Laws Governing Powered Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs. If anyone would like to know more please email me on broadstoneaccessgroup@hotmail.co.uk.

The next Broadstone Access Group meeting is May 14th at 2pm in the Sharland Room, Broadstone Methodist Church. Guest speaker Joy Reynolds, Associate Director of Strategic Planning NHS Bournemouth and Poole, presenting the Future of the NHS in our area. We will also be given a talk by David Allen, who is the owner of the Broadstone Complementary Centre and past Chair person of the Broadstone Chamber of Trade and Commerce, about his own health experience.