Minutes of meeting on 09/03/2011 at 2.30pm

Minutes of meeting on 09/03/2011 at 2.30pm
Attendance:
Kevin Keegan – Architect
Peter Clarke – Independent town councillor
Tom Chambers – Independent campaigner
Becky Fred-Ameh – Tom Chamber’s PA
Kevin pointed out that the disability strategy fund has been dropped by the Department of Environment. Kelvin thanked Tom for his input in achieving a certificate of excellence award from the National disability authority (NDA).
Tom asked about the percentage of disability staff to be employed by Ballina Town Council and Kelvin said two per cent. Kelvin confirmed they are about to hire a special machine to make the crossings on Pearse Street universally accessible. He agreed that the designated parking bay on Pearse Street could be more user friendly.
Tom spoke about the designated parking bay sign in front of the Ballina Town Council Office if it could be more visible to traffic users. Peter pointed out the right hand side opposite the post office is extremely dangerous to women with prams and the Ballina Town Council should not be promoting that. Peter brought to our attention the painting of the designated parking bays and Kevin told us that there would be planting of tress on the side of the road.
Tom felt the designated parking bays are improperly used and should be monitored for proper use, because money generated from clamping and fines could be used for other things in the town. He also felt there is lack of communication with disabled people when running plans for designated parking bays.
Kevin talked about the use of designated bays and Tom said the people should be educated on the proper use of the bays and this led to Kevin inviting Tom to see where he proposed to have designated bays for the disabled angers to use for fishing. He will be forwarding an email to Tom to fix a date for that.
Peter asked if there is any more work to be done and Kevin said there would be two more crossing on the road to Sligo. Plans are been drawn for designated parking bays and universally facilities for disabled people fishing in Gortnabbey in Crossmollina. Kevin said he will send Tom a copy of the plan. Peter invited Tom to see the Arts centre that is almost ready to be opened.
We agreed that a bit of money should be set up totally for disability issues. It was also agreed that Peter would approach a fellow Councillor John O’Malley with the town mayor to ring fence money for disability issues and also approach county councillors to make room for disability funds out of the budget and Tom agreed he is always open to meet any of them and discuss where the money could be spent.
The meeting was brought to a close at 3.45pm.