RUGBY DISABILITY FORUM
Chair: David Foster – Tel: 01788 544991 Secretary: John Burrell – Tel 01788 533796
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held at Hamilton House
on Tuesday 28th October 2008
1 Attendance – Andrew Cowan, Sue Hillman, Michael Sheasby, Joyce Carter, Sheena Corbett, George Farthing, Vera Harris, Daphne Johnson, Myrtle Wallace, Balvinda Vraitek, Minakshee Patel, Manisha Vadgama, Janey Law, Mollie Tone, Suzanna Vandervelden, Fiona Bennington, Mala Solanki, Betty Russell, Marion Hersey, Geoff Wilde, Icilin Johnson,Patsy Newsam, Dr Alan G Thompson, Jill Atkinson, Anne Cooper, Paul Cooper, John Burrell, David Foster and Sean Lawson.
2. Apologies – Chris Wade, Martin Eversfield, Peter Elliot, Pam Jones and Tracey Nuttle.
3. Minutes of last AGM - agreed.
4. Chairman’s Report - David summarised the year pointing out the things that he and the Forum had been involved with. He made special regard to the two NHS Committees that we now sit on. David thanked Sue, Mala and the Committee for their work and support and thanked Pat Clark for keeping members supplied with tea at our meetings, Derek and Brian for their work on the blind persons minutes of meetings and especially John for his help and support throughout 2008. David confirmed that as a Group we had achieved so much during 2008 and thanked all members for their help and support.
5. Secretary’s Report - enclosed.
6. Treasurers Report – enclosed. The accounts were audited by Judith Foster and the members expressed their gratitude to Judith (who was unable to attend the meeting) and asked that the Secretary send her some flowers to show their appreciation – JB to action.
David thanked all members particularly Brian for doing the tapes for our blind members, and the Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair and Committee members for their support and efforts during the year.
7. AGM – 2008
The Chairman handed over the meeting to the Secretary who on behalf of everyone thanked David for the work he has done these last 12 months.
The following members were re-elected unopposed.
Secretary - John Burrell
Chairman - David Foster Vice Chairperson - Sue Hillman Treasurer - Mala Solanki
The following members were voted onto the Committee.
Joyce Carter, Andrew Cowan, Anne Cooper, Fiona Bennington, Derek Hillman, Icilin Johnson and also seconded was Daphne Johnson.
The Secretary then handed over the meeting to David for the ordinary meeting to proceed.
Sean Lawson (Head of Environmental Services at Rugby Borough Council) gave a talk on “disabled parking provision in the Town Centre”. It is proposed to move the disabled parking spaces that are on a slope in North Street car park and provide a further 3 spaces. The Town Hall car park (to the side of the Town Hall) a further 2 or 3 spaces to be provided. With the Asda car park included this will create a total increase of 30 disabled parking spaces. However, premium spaces within the Town will have a time limit of 3 hrs parking. If over 3 hrs then a ticket (fine) will be issued. Asda car park will be a pay & display and they will be arranging their own enforcement.
After 6pm and all day Sundays enforcement regulations do not apply and therefore parking is free – however this may change
The Council are also doing checks on Blue Badge holder
People using the Library can use Asda car park, also there are 4 disabled spaces in the two bays next to the Doctors Surgery (adjacent to the Library) and these are public spaces.
David thanked Sean for a very informative presentation.
Belvinda Vraitek from Customer First Team (WCC) who with her colleague gave a presentation on “Treating People Fairly”.
They want to know that the services they offer are what people really want. An interactive session took place where members used remote controls to answer various questions that will help them.
David thanked them for their interesting presentation.
8. Action Points - minutes 30th September – agreed.
9.& 10 - Due to shortage of time these will be dealt with at next meeting
11. Christmas Meal
This is to be held on Friday 21st November at the Table/Table Clifton Road, Butlers Leap. 7pm for 7.30pm cost is £20 per person. There are spaces for up to 80 people so if you want to come please contact Derek 01788 552219 with payment before 1st November. (The price includes 3 courses and one glass of wine + tea/coffee).
2. Any Other Business
Icilin advised that Warks. Police had invited the West Indian Group to see how the Police and the community was/could work together and it was very well received.