Rugby Disability Forum – AGM,
Tuesday
25th October 2005
Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel: 01788 533796
AGM, Held At Hamilton House at 10:00 am on Tuesday 25th October 2005
Contents:
1. Minutes of AGM 2004
2. Chairman's Report
3. Secretary’s Report
4. Treasurers Report
5) Election of Secretary
6) Election of Chair
7) Election of Vice Chair
8) Election of Treasurer
9) Elected 2006 Committee Members
10) Other AGM Business
The minutes of the last AGM were read out by John Burrell and were agreed as correct.
CHAIRS REPORT - 2005
We have had a very productive year, of course we want more, but taking everything into account it’s been a good year. But firstly I should like to thank Rugby Borough Council for their support.
The highlight of the year was of course the Wheelchair Race in July – not a good day the 7th ;with bombs going off – but for us it was very successful. Our thanks to Committee Member Steve Bunyan for his imagination, persistence, fortitude and hard work to make this event work and give us the financial independence we craved. Our thanks also to the sponsors, participants and everybody involved.
But a year is more than one thing, and we have all worked hard at making Rugby a better place for Disabled People.
The painting of Street Furniture has gone on in leaps and bounds, our thanks to RBC & WCC.
Before the Wheelchair Race our finances were struggling, and we were only kept afloat by the efforts of Gloria Lawley-Ord and her regular Car-Boot Sales. Our heart felt thanks to Gloria.
The Project of Dropped Kerbs has progressed well, last year WCC allocated £5000 to replace/alter dropped kerbs. This year, (2005) it was raised 5 times to £25,000 mostly because of our efforts. We also got an agreement from Warwickshire County Councilors to complete all the dropped kerbs in Warwickshire to a disability friendly state within ten years – quite a commitment! Committee Member Martin Eversfield has led a survey of the state of dropped kerbs in the Town Centre and all the main routes into Rugby, a major effort. We shall sit down with Managers from WCC in the next couple weeks to start the process for next year.
Rugby Library Entranceway had an unnecessary tactile design that caused some people in wheelchairs discomfort and pain. The Secretary with his Access Officer hat on, had the paving’s changed to the benefit of all.
Caldecott Park is going to be revamped. The Vice Chair organised a site meting of members with the Consultants and RBC Managers to ensure that our voice was heard. Jack Lawton is keeping a watching brief and reports back as things move on.
We had a consultation role in the RBC Parking Plan, Vice Chair Jack Lawton has put our concerns to the Council.
RBC’s consultants carried out a discussion with members on Taxis and Private Hire Cars. The questionnaire we filled out has been used for the consultants report that went to Cabinet. Again Jack Lawton is keeping a watching brief and will report back as things move on.
We built on the success of The Mystery Shopper event with Shop-Watch. Committee Member Pat Compton ran a very successful project. The analysis sheets are now helping with the Rugby Disability Access Guide. Thanks to all concerned.
We successfully applied for money for a Web Cam Project which Committee Member Steve Bunyan Ran until he went to College. Committee Member Paul Tolley has taken the project over, with a hopeful launch day of to-day.
WCC supplied the funds for a Web Site. The Council of Disabled People, led by Paul Tolley has programmed the site and hopefully it will launch to-day
The Forum is working on a Disability Guide for Rugby, led by Secretary John Burrell. Members are collecting information for web inclusion next June. Once we have it running on the RBC web site it is planned to print a hard copy guide.
Warwickshire Police have consulted us on Disability Hate Crime. We are awaiting results.
We have all worked with The Council of Disabled People with the Baywatch Parking Scheme.
And what of the future:
We need to settle down our Web Site and have it working the way we want it to go.
Shop- Watch will continue
Drop Kerb analysis will move into secondary streets
We shall continue to work with the Police on Hate Crime
We will move to-wards a Disability Guide
AND we shall have a Social Dinner – which (hopefully) we will enjoy
We will do other things – we will be successful
David Foster - Chair
October 2005
The Forum now has 73 members. The average attendance at our monthly meetings over the last 12 months was 23 members.
The Forum is now affiliated to Rugby Area Community Education Council. The Chairmen and Vice Chair also represent the Forum at the meetings of the Warwickshire Disability Forum.
A Business Plan for the next 3 yrs has been produced which the Committee will be reviewing on a regular basis.
Your Committee
As you are aware your Committee was formed to determine strategy and policy and now puts together the Agenda for Forum meetings. Well the Committee met on three occasions last year and it has been agreed that future meetings will take place on a monthly basis. The secretary will continue to report to members on items discussed.
The following documents have been produced in draft form and will be discussed at future Committee meetings. Member Development Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy, and Safe From Harm Policy.
I would like to thank Steve for designing the expenses form and my thanks also to Paul for taking the minutes.
Finally as your secretary I would like to thank all members and organisations that have helped and supported us over the last 12 months.
John Burrell (Secretary ) October 2005
David read through the accounts.
(Contact David to view accounts on Tel: 01788 544991)
The accounts were accepted by the Forum, anyone wishing to discuss the accounts at any time please speak to David.
Name: John Burrell
Proposed by: Steve Bunyan Seconded by: Martin Eversfield
Name: David Foster
Proposed by: Clem Griffiths Seconded by: Andrew Cowan
Name: Jack Lawton
Proposed by: Martin Eversfield Seconded by: Marion Hessey
Name: Judith Foster
Proposed by: Joan Nyilassy Seconded by: Steve Bunyan
Note: Judith will not take her seat on the Committee or be a cheque signatory.
9) Elected 2006 Committee Members: -
1) Andrew Cowan
2) Gill Brown
3) Mala Solanki
4) Martin Eversfield
5) Paul Tolley(minutes secretary & Press Officer)
6) Anne Clarke
7) Gloria Lawley Ord
No other AGM Business.
AGM closed at 10:40 am.
Page last updated: November 7, 2005