Minutes, 28th February 2006
Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel 01788 533796
Rugby Disability Forum – Ordinary Meeting. Held at Hamilton House, Tuesday 28th February 2006 @ 10.00 a.m.
Present: David Foster, Clare Paisley (CDP), Paul Tolley, Pam Jones, Ann Clarke, Pat Clarke, Tony Woffenden, Martin Eversfield, John Hicks, Derek Hillman, Clifton Dennis, Chris McGaffney, Lionel Broughton, Jack Lawton, Joanne Roberts, Geoffrey Wilde, Mala Solanki, Patsy Newsan, Denise Waters, Jan Dunseith, Harry Mossop, John Burrell
Apologies: Gillian Brown, Sheena Corbett, Chris Holman, Andrew Cowan, Sue Hillman, Clem Griffiths, Enid Blencoe, Eilleen Cowan, Jean Box, Daphne Johnson, Gloria Lawley-Ord, Desree Lambert.
Presentation given by Jan Dunseith & Denise Waters: Tourism in Rugby
Jan Dunseith & Paula Twigger job share the Tourism post for RBC. Denise Waters is manager of Rugby Tourism which as 90 private members who pay a subscription to fund a part time post to promote Rugby as a destination.
www.rugbytourism.org.uk details everything that is happening in Rugby and also has details of all 90 member organisations.
One of the things highlighted has been that Tourism in Rugby is fragmented and a cohesive approach to bring tourists into Rugby is needed. It is hoped that within the BID this will be achieved. A national accreditation scheme is in place for accommodation and Rugby’s accommodation guide is out tomorrow (1st March).
Some Taxi drivers have been accredited as ‘welcome hosts’, all new taxi drivers will have to go through this accreditation process.
John Burrell put an article within the Rugby Tourism newsletter to inform the members that advice is available from John in terms of becoming accessible however he has not had any contact as yet from any one of the members.
Jack raised that it is appalling that Rugby is publishing an accommodation guide tomorrow that in no way details how accessible each accommodation’s premises are.
The Forum are working with Paula Twigger on the creation of a website which will detail the accessibility of accommodation and venues and is hoped to be ready in August.
ACTION: Jan to liaise with Paula to see what developments have been made as the Forum has not heard anything recently.
Comments were made to Jan regarding the Rugby guide as it was felt that the map signage was inaccurate and poor. Many accessible toilets are not listed.
A reprint is scheduled for May this year and it was asked that the Forum be involved in the proof reading and consultation prior to the reprint. The guides are available in a wide range of languages which are being increased as reprints are carried out.
October/November will see all interested parties in Tourism meeting to produce the Rugby Tourism Action Plan which will dictate the work required for the next 2 years.
ACTION: Jan to ensure that the Rugby Disability Forum receive an invite.
Rugby Tourism supports about 3000 jobs. Rugby School is a key contributor to the tourism of Rugby although they cannot contribute financially much support is given.
Ideas about what to promote are invited by Jan Dunseith from all Forum members.
Correspondence.
West Indian Association are arranging the Caribbean Carnival – Daphne Johnson has asked the Forum for its support.
Minutes of last meeting
Reinserted is the article from last minutes with alteration to Andrew’s e-mail address.
Any items of news or events for the website should be directed to Andrew Cowan.
e-mail rugbycore@talk21.com
Matters Arising:
No matters arising
Committee Report:
13th February meeting Eileen Cowan gave a report on the Borough Council’s commitment to Equality & Diversity. All Borough Council employees have undertaken Equality & Diversity training.
ACTION: Martin Eversfield to write to Network Rail about parking at the railway station as the current and proposed provision are inadequate.
ACTION: John Burrell to check out Martin’s report that the proposed overhead walkway may no longer be going ahead.
Disability Debate: Meeting with Jeremy Wright
49 people attended this meeting including a lady from the DRC who explained the intention of the DRC in holding the Debate.
There was great discussion about how the DDA should be enforced. David thanked everyone who attended for their attendance and participation.
Jack Lawton stated that whilst the meeting had been successful at one level he felt that the Forum had missed the opportunity to focus upon the key issue of the Single Equalities Commission and what this may mean for Disabled People and the enforcement of already weak and/or flawed legislation.
Jeremy Wright has a meeting this week and will report back to the Forum on what his action plan is in response to the issues raised.
Commission for Equality & Human Rights –
Martin asked what the allocation of resources and finances would be for each ‘group’.
ACTION: It was agreed that the Forum would write to the DRC to raise any issues or concerns arising and listed above.
ACTION: Contact John Burrell or David if you wish your comments to be included.
Awards for All - Inclusion Project
David proposed that the Forum apply to the Lottery for an amount of £5000 to provide computers for Disabled people in Rugby to enable them to connect to the internet and also connect to the online meetings.
It was clarified that the computers would remain the property of Rugby Disability Forum and would be ‘lent’ to Disabled members.
The Forum agreed to this proposal being submitted to the Lottery.
Website:
Andrew Cowan was at a meeting regarding Local Strategic Partnerships so was unable to update the Forum.
Police Report:
Due to refurbishment (which may take up to 2 weeks) the front desk is being replaced with a temporary desk while the work is carried out which will hopefully improve the physical access of the building.
Smart water is being given for free to people within the Overslade area – contact Harry Mossop for more details.
Warwickshire & Coventry Community Safety Scheme can come out and carry out a full free security check on your property and also carry out security improvements for free. Harry stated that people should take this up ASAP as there is a finite level f funding for this resource.
Next Meeting:
John is attempting to bring forward John Kerslake’s presentation on Taxi Licensing from April to March. John pointed out that the toilets in Barford St and Church St are due to be demolished and that the Forum may wish to raise these points with John.
Jack Lawton’s Report: See attached.
2 more licensed taxis are to be taken on within Rugby.
Caldecott Park: The outcome from the bid to the Lottery is still awaited.
A.O.B.
PPI forum criteria for physical access to Dentists surgeries will be sent to David for review.
Date Of Next Meeting: Tuesday 28th March.
Page last updated: July 4, 2006