Minutes, 29th March 2005
Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel: 01788 533796
Minutes of an Ordinary meeting held At Hamilton House at 10:00 am on Tuesday 29th March 2005
Present: Chris Wade, Clem Griffiths, Gloria Lawley-Ord, Anne Clarke, Jack Lawton, Pat Clarke, D J Hillman, Nick Darwen (WCC) Cliff Dennis, Pam Jones, Dianne Enefer, Jan Dunseith, Sheena Corbett, Anne Skene (DAG Coventry) Martin Eversfield, Christine McGaffney (Bloxham Centre) Joanne Roberts (Rugby Library) Andrew Cowan, Carolyn Went (Warwickshire Police) Gillian Brown, Marion Hersey, Mala Solanki (The Rowan Organisation) Pat Compton, Helen Reading (WRCC) Steve Bunyan, David Foster and John Burrell
Apologies: Sue Hillman, Robin Richter, Paul Tolley, Lionel Broughton, Tony Waffendon & Dot Purdy.
The Chairman welcomed everyone. And apologised for missing off ‘g’ in matters arising.
1. Minutes of meeting held on 22nd February 2005 – agreed.
2. Presentation of Security Video by Warwickshire Police –
this was deferred as the person who was going to give the presentation was ill and sent her apologies.
3.Matters Arising
a) Anne & Teresa, Nothing to report – Please use this facility or it may be withdrawn.
b) Funding – Steve advised that a cheque for £2000 has been received from Heart of England Community Foundation and this will be used to purchase a web cam, broadband connection for Hamilton House, printing costs and a digital camera.
Action – Steve to investigate purchases and report to Committee
Nick Darwen, (WCC area manager) announced that Rugby Forward has agreed to give us up to £5000 to set up our own Web Site, this will be built with & by The Council for Disabled People to our specification.
Action – David to liase with Paul & Steve
Car Boot Sale – the recent one raised £3.00 however others are planned and volunteers are needed to help. If anyone has books, bric a brac, clothes,( not men’s shirts or suits), dvd’s and cd’s they can donate then please contact David tel.544991. The next Boot Sale is the 10th April please deliver items to 10 Quarry Close Newbold. URGENT
Action – All
Raffles – it was agreed that raffles cold be held when we are holding special events but not at our monthly meetings.
c) Shopwatch – 16th May 2005. It was agreed that the event will only target access into premises. 89 premises have been identified in the town centre area. The intention is to have 11 groups each with at least one wheelchair user. A questionnaire has been prepared which only requires the groups to answer brief questions about the premises. It is envisaged that the survey will take place at any time during the week beginning 16th May – Monday to Friday only. Final arrangements for volunteers will be agreed at April’s meeting. All questionnaires are requested to be returned to the Technical Services Department reception at the Town Hall. There is to be a sub-committee meeting at 10am 19th April in Committee room 2 Town Hall.
Action – Pat to ensure paperwork is ready
d) Wheelchair Race – Bloxham Centre members have produced some artwork for proposed posters. Members were asked to look at these to agree which should be used. The posters were of excellent quality and it was difficult to choose, our thanks to members of the Bloxham Centre.
Action – Steve to check printing costs
Warwickshire College’s disabled students have agreed to make a suitable trophy and we are trying to get a representative from the British Wheelchair Rugby Association to present the trophy.
Action – Steve & David to meet College Principle
Sponsorship for the event is progressing well. Insurance – it is looking more likely that the Town Centre Company/RBC can arrange this. Rugby Tourism have agreed to distribute the posters. Rugby School have agreed to video the entire event.
Action – Steve and David to instigate paperwork
e) Library Quiz Evening and Side Entrance – the quiz was good fun and everyone enjoyed it. Our team won a prize – for coming last!! Access to the side entrance is still being looked at.
Action – Joanne to get a decision and report at the next meeting
f) Expenses – Anyone attending our meetings can claim expenses i.e. car allowance at approximately 35p per mile or reimbursement of bus fares or taxis (bus ticket & taxi receipts will need to be produced). Rugby Forward has donated money for this and claim forms can be obtained from Pat at meetings or phone David 544991. It will be necessary for Pat to monitor all claims so anyone making a claim should advise Pat of the amount.
g) Dropped Kerbs – survey of main roads are being done first and details will be given to WCC for programming. Side roads will be done later.
Action – Martin to report progress
Richard Tuck (WCC) has agreed to provide a dropped kerbs outside the Amusement Arcade North Street for the Flexibus Service.
4. Future Direction of Forum – a forward strategy
Jack produced a handout (copy enclosed) and has asked for feedback from everyone in respect of:-
Please come along to the next meeting to discuss this your comments/ideas will be most welcome.
Action - All
5. Any Other Business
a) John’s Spot – John explained that he is hopeful that the Council will allow him to appoint an Assistant Building Control Surveyor to help him with his Access Officer duties to enable him to recommence access audits of Town Centre premises.
b) Police Spot – Carolyn advised that Warwickshire Police have a policy on Hate Crime which covers four categories. Disability, Homophobic, Race and Religion and Others.
There are Hate incidents and Hate crime and people should be recording all incidents and advising the Police of all verbal, written or other incidents of abuse. The Police will visit all offenders (and their parents) and advise that their behaviour is not acceptable and will recommend prosecution where necessary.
23 Forces have signed up to what is called TRUE VISION to stamp out Hate Crime. Information Packs have been produced and they will be soon working on a Disability Pack and they need input from people locally. Work will start possibly by the end of April.
The following members agreed to a sub committee to give help to Carolyn – M. Eversfield, Christine McGaffney, Jack Lawton, Pam Jones, David Foster, Dianne Enefer and Mala Solanki. For more information about True Vision either visit www.reportit.org.uk or telephone Carolyn on 01926 415166.
Action – Carolyn to liase with David
6. Next Meeting 26th April at 10 am @ Hamilton House
Chairs Note – Last month we omitted Andrews report from the Police Station. It is attached this month, any comments please contact me. DF
Page last updated: August 8, 2005