Minutes, 25th January 2005

Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel: 01788 533796

Rugby Disability Forum – Minutes of an Ordinary meeting held At Hamilton House at 10:00 am on Tuesday 25th January 2005

Present: Jack Lawton, Sheena Corbett, Clem Griffiths, Paul Tolley, Brian Edwards, Mark Offord, Lionel Broughton, Cliff Dennis, Pam Jones, Andrew Cowan, Steve Bunyan, Joanne Roberts, Marion Hersey, Pat Compton, Anne Clarke, John Burrell, Chris Widows, Harry Mossop, Janet Hyde.

Apologies: Robin Richter, David Foster, Gloria Lawley Ord, Dot Purdy, Joan Nyilassy, June Brown, Martin Eversfield, Jan Dunsieth

 

Jack introduced himself as Chair in David’s absence as David is currently recovering from an operation. The Forum acknowledged all of David’s hard work and wished him a speedy recovery.

 

1 Minutes of Meeting 21st December 2004

John Burrell’s title should have read ‘Building Control Manager and Access Officer’. John Burrell was listed in the attendance list of the last meeting twice. Other than these corrections the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as accurate.

Mark from J&D Mobility was introduced as attending today’s meeting, he was invited by Steve Bunyan as it is hoped that J&D Mobility will be able to assist with the forthcoming wheelchair race event.

A £100 cheque donation was given to Irene in respect of the room hire of Hamilton House by the Forum as a one off donation. The money was gifted to the Forum by Rugby CVS. Irene stated that so many diverse groups use the building and the donation was very welcome.

 

2 Presentation on the Flexibus Scheme.

Richard Tuck from Warwickshire County Council gave a presentation on the Flexibus Scheme that operates in Warwickshire and explained how the County Council run an integrated transport unit which includes school transportation. Richard stated that the Council are extremely under-funded in this area. This year 1.8m is to be spent on public transport but only £196,000 of this amount is spent in line with the votes of Councillors each February. Richard stated that many public transport buses are linked to School transport to make economies.

Flexibuses started in 1990 when Stagecoach approached Warwickshire County Council with single deck town services with wheelchair access. By 1998 Stagecoach was unable to keep the buses going due to their age. Plaxtons developed minibuses with tail-lifts at around the same time and 4 of these were bought with rural funding to operate once per week.

Last year the service went out to tender and Warwickshire County Council put £170,000 towards purchasing more flexibuses and now owns 11 in total. As part of the contract conditions the Flexibus Operator must have a free phone number and if someone lives within a mile of the published route and has phoned 1 day ahead they will be picked up as long as the bus can access them.

Richard acknowledged that there have been comments that for trips planned for a Monday that users have had to let the operator know of their intentions on the preceding Friday.

The free phone number for Flexibus is:

0500 212225 ask for Ian (Manager or Rhoda his wife).

Routes of the Flexibus service are produced by Warwickshire County Council which are available from the Library, Tourist Information Centre, Post Offices and Mobile Libraries. The routes are published twice a year. On the back of each map is a town map showing all routes.

ACTION: The Tourist Information Centre will check that they have a good stock.

Bus stops are operated by the Highway Authority. They have until 2015 to ensure that all bus stops (15,000 in the county) are accessible to all disabled people and low floor buses.

By 2012 – all buses must be low floor. At present every new bus bought must be low floor.

Timetables are available in alternative formats on request. Richard stated that he does not think that it is available in Braille at present.

Flexibuses work on a 10 year service life. Do not operate evenings or weekends, are available 7-5 Mon – Fri during school days.

Pat Compton raised the issue that disabled people are being dropped off at unofficial stops causing them problems. Richard stated that this is a problem specific to Rugby as the Clock Tower stop is on a bend and Rugby Borough Council has installed a raised kerb which prevents the low floor buses from being able to use the bus stop by the sports shops. At present the service road entrance to Natwest Bank is being used to drop individuals off due to problems at all other locations tried out.

ACTION: all members who have any ideas or proposed solutions to the drop off problem to forward their comments to David Foster.

Tony Spencer at Clock Towers will be approached regarding the more permanent use of the service road although delivery lorries may be a problem at this site, also the dropped kerbs are in a poor state of repair. Jack Lawton proposed that if a solution on the public highway could be found it would be preferable.

ACTION: John Burrell to approach County Highways to explore what action can be agreed to overcome the problems being caused by the high kerb.

Andrew Cowan stated that driver attitudes vary and make all the difference in the experience. A&M operate the services. At present the contract does not impose any conditions relating to the quality of service or any need to undertake any Disability Equality Training.

 

3 Matters Arising

  1. Anne & Teresa

    Anne stated that this had reached a standstill due to computer gremlins but that this now resolved numbers in minutes of last. Any issues re: obstructions should be passed to Anne or Theresa on:

    Teresa Sharp - 01788 521494
    teresa.sharp1@talk21.com

    Anne Clarke – 01788 562157
    anneclarke_5@hotmail.com
  2. Supermarket Parking – PT

    Paul Tolley reported on the response received from Forum members as a result of the Baywatch forms disseminated with the last minutes - only one completed form has been received!

    Although the date of the Baywatch survey has officially passed a copy of the Baywatch form is being sent out with these minutes.

    See appendix 1.

    ACTION: The attached forms need to be completed by as many members as possible and returned to Paul Tolley, send to Paul Tolley, CDP, Unit 15, The Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3JQ, so that the results can be published in the Observer. Those who have received their minutes electronically can either print off the questionnaire and send to Paul Tolley, CDP, Unit 15, The Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3JQ or request a printed version from Paul Tolley on 02476 716217: or to fill in the form on the telephone; phone Paul and he will phone you back.

    3. At Sainsbury’s supermarket, comments forms are available for any issue. If stores are not told of any problems they cannot be expected to do anything about them so the members were urged to raise any issues that arise. The manager of the Sainsbury store in Dunchurch met with Paul Tolley, David Foster & Steve Bunyan and has agreed to send a representative to any future RDF meeting if they are asked. The manager was very receptive to the issues raised.

  3. Funding – SB



    Steve stated that £2000 has been applied for from the Heart of England Community Fund which would hopefully pay for a Forum laptop, webcam, internet costs and the creation of an online message board. The funding bid would also cover photography costs for the campaigns if successful. David Foster is also pursuing a bid for monies from Rugby Forward.

    Gloria Lawley-Ord has agreed to run Car Boot Sales with profits being donated to the Forum. Gloria can be contacted on 01788 570559 if anyone has any items that they would like to donate.
  4. Caldecote Park - JL

    Jack Lawton, Pat Compton, Anne Clarke, Andrew Cowan, Lionel Broughton, John Burrell and members from the Bloxham Centre visited Caldecote park recently and met up with Phil Chambers and Chris Worman ( Chris is the Council’s Assistant Parks Manager responsible for the project) it is felt that the proposed redevelopment should make the park more accessible and Pat stated that she was very impressed by the presentation they received from Phil Chambers who attended the last meeting. It is understood that the budget for the redevelopment is 1 million pounds but Pat stated that she was unsure whether all of the planned work would come in under the proposed budget. Phil Chambers has agreed to forward a copy of his report to the Forum for all members to comment on, it was suggested that a prioritisation of the proposed works may be useful in case funding limits are reached. All felt that this was a very productive day and members comments and suggestions were very well received.

 

4. Items for Discussion

  1. Doctors Surgeries – PT

    Paul spoke about the questionnaire that will be sent out with the minutes of this meeting. The attached questionnaire (See Appendix 2) should be completed by all Forum members and returned to Paul Tolley using the pre-paid envelope.

    ACTION: All members to complete the attached questionnaire and return as soon as possible using the freepost envelope provided.

    Those who have received their minutes electronically can either print off the questionnaire and send to Paul Tolley, CDP, Unit 15, The Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3JQ or request a printed version from Paul Tolley on 02476 716217: or to fill in the form on the telephone; phone Paul and he will phone you back.

  2. Wheelchair ‘Race’ – DF & SB

    The wheelchair race is proposed to be for Able-bodied people to highlight the access issues within Rugby for the public but also for those who make decisions relating to access.

    Robin Richter has agreed to sponsor the race by the sum of £250

    Steve has listed the aims of the day and it is hoped that £2200 can be raised. The Police have agreed to providing crowd control and an ‘officer of a suitable rank’ will take part.

    Thursday 7th July is proposed date of this event. Insurance is proving to be a slight problem and a specific event insurance policy may need to be sought. Jan is pursuing this. Steve has approached the Highway Dept and Sheep St has been agreed as a venue. The Fire Dept have agreed to support the event. Mark from J&D Mobility has agreed to supply 4 manual wheelchairs. Radio, press and television will be invited to raise the profile of the day and the Forum.

    The Wheelchair Race Subcommittee is currently comprised of Steve Bunyan, David Foster, Jack Lawton, Paul Tolley and Ian Haxton but two more members are required.

    Pat Compton and Anne Clarke agreed to join the subcommittee.

    Steve added that the PA system and commentary will hopefully be provided by Rugby FM.

  3. Access 2005 – DF

    Pat spoke in David’s absence. This is in reference to a re-run of the mystery shopper event carried out last summer. Pat stated that this re-visit could be called ‘Shop Watch’. The offenders from last summer will be visited to see whether they have undertaken any work since last summer with the aim of equal access. Jack and Pat raised specific examples of stores that have actually created barriers recently as part of modernisations and highlighted that these should be included.

    It is planned that this event will take place in May. David and Pat are compiling a list of the worst offenders from last summer and those who promised improvements but have failed to deliver will be targeted. It will require at least 5 or 6 volunteers to make this event achievable and will be asked for at the next meeting.

    Jack raised the issue that Rod Wasps and Brooks the restaurant have both received awards this year for excellence yet both are inaccessible. Jack asked that this should be challenged and John Burrell will report back at the next meeting.

    ACTION: John Burrell to report back on any response to Jack’s comments at the next Forum meeting.

    La Margherita have changed their access and attitude for the better.

  4. Drop Kerb Programme 2005 - DF

    David asked that this section be adjourned until next meeting but has forwarded an e-mail from Paul Cowley stating that they had been a little delayed in carrying out the dropped kerbs due to the unavailability of labour. Addison Road dropped kerbs have now been completed.

 

5 Any Other Business

Johns’ Spot – JB

The Pig & Truffle pub have put in an application to change the use of their first floor to provide a 1st floor venue. The response to this application has been to insist on lift access.

A Building Regulations Application has been received from Gala Bingo to put in a partition to separate out the gambling machines. The response to this has been to remind the architect that in planning works that there should be consideration paid to how access issues could be overcome. John Burrell will approach Gala and they will be included in the survey.

ACTION: John and Pat Compton will liaise on this

 

Police Spot

It has been agreed that the Police will support the Wheelchair event and will provide crowd control.

The Traffic Warden reported that the dropped kerb at bottom of Regent Street is being addressed as the parking bay overlaps the dropped kerb and those parking over the dropped kerb are being booked.

Steve Bunyan highlighted that after 5pm all disabled bays seem to be occupied by non-disabled people 10-2 1:30-5:30 so policed only up until 5:30 pm. Special constables have targeted these issues after 5:30 but it will be reported to see if this can be stepped up. The police and traffic wardens were asked to do whatever they can to improve this situation and for John Burrell to highlight the problem within the Borough Council. The gating of Sheep St seems to have laxed and this should also be reported.

Two police vehicles have been seen blocking access at Morton Gardens

 

c) Other

Paul Tolley reported that he has been approached by the Pentecostal Church in Cambridge St which needs to provide accessible parking but need to liase with the Highways dept to achieve this.

ACTION:Paul will contact John Burrell to help move this forward.

Paul Tolley also reported that he has come across a grant giving organisation that will assist churches and other places of worship to fund works carried out to give access to disabled people.

ACTION: If any members are aware of any access issue regarding churches etc. to let him know on 02476 716217.

Jack Lawton invited suggestions for speakers at future meetings. Robin Richter (Town Centre Manager) has agreed to be a speaker at next meeting but any other recommendations are called for.

Steve Bunyan recommended the Sainsbury’s manager Richard Young.

Coventry Disability Access Group and a Daventry disability group have expressed the wish to come to future meetings.

ACTION: David to respond to both groups and Richard Young from Sainsbury’s inviting them to the next convenient meeting.

Jack reported that the Disability Support Group met yesterday and as no Disability Theme Group has been set up to be part of Rugby Forward the position of the Disability Support Group as a Community of Interest Group was agreed to be untenable.

The Disability Support Group will continue as it always has done to liaise with individual representatives at a strategic level.

Jack thanked everyone for attending.

 

6. Date of Next Meeting:

10am 22nd February 2005

Robin Richter will give a talk on Rugby Town Centre

Please remember your 25p for tea & coffee

 


 

Page last updated: August 9, 2005