RUGBY DISABILITY FORUM

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

Minutes of General Meeting held at Hamilton House on Tuesday 24th June 2008

1.         Welcome & Introduction – David welcomed everyone and asked each member to introduce themselves.

2 Presentation – unfortunately the people from the prison service did not arrive.

Molly…… at the last minute agreed to explain what “Guidepost” was all about.  This is a service that employs carers and provides services and practical help to carers – has links to support groups and covers the whole Rugby area.  Doesn’t cost anything to join Guidepost and they do have a voice in Government.  They hold regular surgeries around the Town.  David thanked Molly for an informative presentation and for stepping in at such short notice.  David is to contact the prison service to ask why they did not attend.

Attendance - John Burrell, David Foster, Peter Elliott, Andrew Cowan, Derek Hillman, Sue Hillman, Christine Whitehouse, Pat Clarke, Anne Cooper, Maria Drake, Paul Cooper, Tony Woffenden, Marion Hersey, Betty Russell, Sheena Corbett, Fiona Bennington, Brian Edwards, George Farthing, Suzanna Vandervelden, Gordon Boyle, Clem Griffiths, Janet Law, Jean Box, Geoff Wilde, Lionel Boughton, Daphne Johnson, Patsy Newsam, Icilin Johnson, Mala Solanki, Mollie Toye, John Hicks and Vitar.

Apologies – Sarah Gibbons, Joyce George, Jill Atkinson.

Minutes of last meeting – agreed however item 4, should read Patsey’s name was missed off apologies list.

Paper & Recycling

How are disabled people going to manage all these bins?  Practicality of lifting the red bins full of paper? – Some people have wheelie bins rather than boxes – difficult to pull the green wheelie bins when full.

David advised that RBC do a “pullout service” – if you ring 533533 and ask for ‘Refuse’ they will take the bin from the back garden, empty it and place it back in the garden.

Reports

Committee – JB gave details of what was discussed at this meeting.

Race & Disability Group – coming along nicely although it is very difficult to get people with disabilities to accept that they are disabled.

BBQ – great success, food was great, 4 or 5 people didn’t turn up buteveryone had a great evening.  David advised that we made a slight loss on this and any future event would need to break even, however if those people who said they would come did turn up we would have broken even.  Two members were not aware of the date, however David and JB advised that the date and time was published in previous meetings minutes.

Day Trip to Stoneleigh Mobility Show – Show was brilliant – details on web site, useful for members to be aware of facilities available to them, - group photo on web.  Could possibly do a similar trip next year.  Congratulations to Sue for organising event and writing notes for the web site.  A big thank you to De-Courcey Coaches and their driver – note on web.

Drop Kerbs in Bilton Road – Derek suggested that because of all the roadworks currently being done it’s a waste of time at the moment.  David needs info. for August meeting with Paul Cowley.  David suggested remainder of Bilton Road up to Cawston Roundabout could be done.  Derek agreed to organise.

‘Disabled Friendly Walks’ David has a book on walks in Rugby. Agreed Icilin and Geoff to choose 10 walks from this that could be made ‘disabled friendly’.  Bluebell wood is RBC’s responsibility and David will have a chat with them.  The walks we are to look at are WCC’s responsibility – we need to tell them where we want to go and then David can apply for some money.  Suzanna agreed to discuss with Icilin/Geoff and she will do access part of survey.

Any other business

David is working with representatives in London to enable wheelchair access on London buses.

Parking – David has convinced RBC that they need to increase the numbers of disabled parking spaces.

Future Forum minutes will be available on tape.  Six members have requested this and Brian Edwards has volunteered to translate them onto tape.  David has agreed to the purchase of a tape recorder for this purpose.

Hamilton House Summer Fayre – fundraiser on 5th July – cakes, tombola, toys, books, china and many other items – please try and attend.

David in process of meeting all Chief Executives of District Councils in Warwickshire asking for their support in setting up Disability Forums similar to RDF.

Members agreed it was a good idea to hold more social events.  Sue agreed to try and organise a trip to Wickstead Park in September – cost will be about £11 – payment will need to be up-front.  Everyone present agreed for JB to give their phone number to Sue.

Web Site – How to find your way around a computer – call at Rugby Library – free training given by Silver Surfers – can book on the Library Learning Zone at the library.  Interactive Usage – Web Cam – anyone interested can link into the Forums Website on Monday nights at 8pm.