Rugby Disability Forum

Minutes, 26th April 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 26th April 2005

Present: David Foster, John Burrell, Dave Mathews WCC, James Freeman (Stagecoach), Mala Solanki Reg Snape, Daphne Johnston, Desiree Lambert, Martin Eversfield, Joanne Roberts, Pat Compton, Clifton Dennis, Harry Mossop, Ian Haxton, Marion Hessey, Pat Clarke, Jack Lawton, Steve Bunyan, Theresa Sharpe, Gloria Lawley Ord, Derek Hillman, Sue Hillman, Paul Tolley

Apologies: Jan Dunseith, Robin Richter, Lionel Broughton, Krys Pietrecki, Joan Nyilassy, Nicolas Warton, Diane Enefer.

1 Minutes of Meeting 29th March 2005

John reported that he’d received a ’phone call from Chris Wade, asking that if we have an input into the Disability Hate Crime Pack, please be aware that print size, style and font are important to people with sight problems.

2 Presentation of ‘Buses for All’ by James Freeman

James Freeman, Managing Director of ‘Stagecoach in Warwickshire’ gave a presentation to the Forum

(See attached power-point presentation).

Stagecoach have a new website www.stagecoachbus.com which has timetables that can be viewed using text reading software.
5th June will see a huge upgrade to the existing Stagecoach services within Rugby.
Pat Compton asked about the 63/64 route which does not serve Marton, yet goes straight past the village. James Freeman stated that the 63 already diverts in to Stockton and that a balance needs to be struck when including diversions to main routes as this often puts people off using a service.
Teresa Sharp pointed out that the 63 used to go through Marton but that the problem of traffic caused the cessation of the service.
James Freeman stated that one possible solution might be to investigate whether a small bus which transports users from Marton to the main road.

ACTION: James committed to looking at the issue of Marton

David asked that the outcome of an investigation in to the Marton service be reported back to the Forum. James said that this will be done by his successor but that Stagecoach has no control over Warwickshire County Council and its decision over whether or not to fund a service which is not profitable.
David pointed out to Dave Matthews the new positive duty on public bodies to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
Teresa queried whether the laws regarding making buses accessible applied to all buses. James stated that as far as he is aware it is clear that all public service buses are covered but that private hire buses are not so clear.
Jack Lawton pointed out that since living in Rugby he has never used a bus but that he was encouraged by what has been said within James’ presentation. Jack stated that the key is for the publicity and information dissemination for the changes already made and being brought in on 5th June being widely available.
James agreed that Stagecoach need to ‘shout’ about the changes especially as Routes 1 and 4 will be fully accessible from 5th June.

ACTION: James will develop an accessible guide to bus routes and widely promote this within Rugby.

The Information Place needs to be sited more centrally within the town and James’ successor will ensure that this is pursued.
Gloria Lawley Ord pointed out that Routes 6 & 7 to Newbold exclude Norman Road which therefore excludes Quarry Close and the close known as the ‘frying pan’.

ACTION: James committed to looking at this.

No bus stop or bus station exists opposite the Train Station, is there any plans to implement this? James stated that there are no plans to have an official Bus Station, but that as part of a regeneration plan to be carried out by the Borough Council it is hoped that the area surrounding the Train station will be redeveloped and that this may create an opportunity to link the bus and train services. ACTION: A sign and bus timetable will be reinstated at the train station.
Will there be direct buses to serve Walsgrave hospital? James stated that if the demand existed to warrant these services they would already be running commercially.
In Coventry the service that goes to Walsgrave via the City Centre is paid for by Walsgrave hospitals and offers a ½ hourly service.
Has there ever been a direct service from Rugby to Walsgrave Hospital? James said an infrequent village service does exist but only in the evenings. A trade off exists between whether a service can be direct or frequent.

David thanked James for his presentation and asked that he puts his successor in touch with the Forum.

3 Matters Arising

a) Anne & Teresa

Teresa Sharp - 01788 521494

teresa.sharp1@talk21.com

Anne Clarke – 01788 562157

anneclarke_5@hotmail.com

Any Access issues within Rugby including dropped kerbs and dustbins etc should be reported to Anne or Teresa on the numbers or e-mails above.

b) Funding – Steve Bunyan & Gloria Lawley Ord

Gloria Lawley Ord stated that her car boot sales have gone well and another will be done to include a tom bola as a test run which if it goes well will be replicated to raise monies for the Forum.

Gloria asked that Forum members bring items to the next forum meeting for sale at a car boot sale.

David stated that whilst the forum can gain monies for projects, it is the day to day running expenses which are desperately needed and that Gloria is raising these and needs to be supported by members donating items.

Steve or David can arrange items pick up

Tel numbers and e-mails of Steve Bunyan and David Foster:

d.foster6@ntlworld.com or 01788 544991

steve.bunyan@ntlworld.com

£37.54 raised at the last car boot for the Forum which was held at Worcester.

Jack requested that local press be automatically copied minutes of each meeting and invited to each. Unfortunately we have been told that the press simply wipe these but for the past 12-18 months every press release sent the Forum has always listed the dates of future meetings.

BME groups. David has worked very hard to try and include BME and all cultural groups were approached in publicising the Forum. Paul

Tolley explained that CDP have a specific post and funding to support groups of Black Disabled People across Warwickshire & Coventry. A launch of the Rugby BME Disability Forum was held last Thursday and was attended by 41 people. All of these individuals will be personally written to by David Foster as chair of the Forum inviting them to future meetings.

ACTION: Paul is mailing out to all 41 people who attended the BME forum members the minutes of this meeting and a personal invitation to each member with the dates of future meetings.

ACTION: Paul Tolley to invite David Foster, Steve Bunyan and Martin Eversfield to the next BME forum, the date of which has been set for 6:30pm at the West Indian Assoc, St Peter’s Rd.

Publicity: David stated that posters etc to publicise the presence of the Forum depends upon Gloria. Support of the car boot is vital in raising unrestricted funds for the group.

c) RDF Web Site – DF & PT

Warwickshire County Council has given Rugby Disability Forum £5000 for a website. A meeting was held yesterday between David Foster, Steve Bunyan, Paul Tolley and Richard Proffitt who is a web site designer for Council Of Disabled People to go through preliminary discussions regarding the outline of a Forum website.

Templates will be sent to David for next Forum meeting which will be presented to full Forum with various options on the design of the website.

d) ‘Shop Watch’ – Pat Compton

We now have 12 groups going out on ‘Shopwatch 2005’.

If anyone is ill or cannot do for any reason please let Theresa Sharp or Pam Jones know so that someone can take your place.

To the right of the Town Hall is where the Technical services department is located and this is where the completed forms are to be handed in.

Paul has done a press release for Shopwatch 2005’ which has been sent to local press.

e) Wheelchair ‘Race’ – David Foster & Steve Bunyan

Steve is about to launch his assault on local businesses to get sponsorship for this event.

A quote for printing programmes and posters is in hand and another is to be sourced after this meeting.

A wooden Trophy and metal medals are to be made by college students.

ACTION: Original artwork will be sold on the day, members to think about whether an auction, closed bid or simple sale is the best way to raise monies from these artworks.

f) Library Side Entrance DF

The Forum have been trying to ensure that one of its members can access the library. John Burrell will visit the Library later today.

g) Expenses

Steve Bunyan has produced some expenses claim forms for the Forum which should normally be handed to Pat Compton when completed. This means that travel expenses for all members can be covered and will be paid at 35 pence per mile. Child Care costs are also covered.

h) Drop Kerbs – Martin Eversfield

David met with Paul Cowley regarding a Hunters Lane dropped kerb which will now be replaced as a priority.

The Forum now owns a digital camera to aid with the dropped kerb campaigns. Martin will use the camera to photograph drop kerbs.

Martin Eversfield asked whether the forum needs Insurance to cover people going out and taking photos? David stated that he did not think this was needed but Paul Tolley stated that it may be something that could be covered through the Council of Disabled People’s existing insurance policy which covers several volunteers.

ACTION Paul to investigate CDP insurance covering volunteers.

Martin is in negotiation with Paul Cowley re: Train station area where parking is inadequate.

ACTION: Martin to speak to John Kerslake re: parking guidance.

A crossing at Overslade Lane has been laid but has not been to standard.

ACTION: Martin Eversfield to liase with Paul Cowley.

i) Hate Crime

David has been contacted by Caroline Went from Warwickshire Police who is taking the lead on Hate Crime.

The subcommittee, (plus Teresa) agreed at the last forum meeting will meet with Caroline on Tuesday 17th May at 2pm.

ACTION: John Burrell to arrange a meeting room.

j) Forward Strategy – JL (Look at your minutes for categories for discussion)

As previously circulated, Jack Lawton has drafted a document asking whether the Forum needs to outline a strategy for its future or carry on in its present state.

Steve stated that the forum should have a lobbying and challenging role. Paul stated that CDP has a lobbying and social policy role and will gladly support any issues that the forum or any of its members feel need highlighting or challenging.

Parks and open spaces:

Jack Lawton suggested that environment should be an issue although access to parks is an issue that has already been started. As access is wholly covered by the Forum’s existing remit, Jack asked that RBC be invited to send someone to cover access to leisure facilities at a future meeting.

ACTION: David Foster to invite a relevant officer from RBC to a future meeting.

John stated that the Forum should have a programme for several years, and not rely on a month by month progress.

Action: John to call a Committee meeting to discuss.

Paul Tolley stated that CDP’s existing information and disability guides accompanied by website links with the Forum’s website will hopefully improve information dissemination and widen the issues coming in through the Forum.

Paul Tolley suggested that he could supply a breakdown of the issues that Rugby disabled people are approaching CDP for information, advice or advocacy on and that Mala Solanki from Rowan could do likewise.

ACTION: Paul to supply the forum with a breakdown of enquiry issues coming in from Rugby to CDP.

ACTION: Mala Solanki to supply the forum with a breakdown of enquiry issues coming in from Rugby to Rowan.

4 Items for Discussion and Report

a) DDA 2005 – DF

Please read the attached report and bring points of discussion to the next meeting

b) PPI Project – Desiree Lambert

GP surgeries and NHS dentistry have been suggested as the issues for the Patient & Public Involvement Forum to address under access for disabled people. Desiree asked the forum whether it is worth the PPI forum taking on these issues within their programme of works for this year?

The forum responded, yes!

Paul Tolley pointed out that the research already carried out by Council of Disabled People (CDP) for Warwickshire County Council into access to GP services for disabled people across Rugby and the rest of Warwickshire should hopefully guide the PPI on what is needed in Rugby.

Desiree from PPI will come back to next forum meeting to discuss this further.

5 Any Other Business

a) Johns’ Spot – JB

Nothing reported

b) Police Spot

Nothing reported

c) I.T. Course

David reported that if there is enough support for a Basic IT Course, he would request funding with Steve and set up a course

Action: All, ‘phone David if you are interested. (01788 544991)

d) Caribbean Carnival.

Daphne invited the Forum to partake in this years Caribbean Carnival. We shall appoint a group at the next meeting.

6 Next Meeting

10am 31st May 2005 @ Hamilton House

Page last updated: August 8, 2005

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