Agenda and draft minutes

AGREED:  Councillor T Bubb was appointed as Chairman to the Forum for 2016-2017.

AGREED:  Mrs J Leamon was appointed Vice Chairman of the Forum for 2016-20167

The Borough Councillors listed below were appointed at Annual Council to the West Norfolk Disability Forum for 2016/2017:

Councillor A Lawrence

Councillor Miss S Sandell

Councillor S Fraser

Councillor A Tyler

Councillor T Bubb

Councillor M Horsbrugh

Councillor S Squire

In accordance with the Constitution to appoint ten non-council representatives to serve on the Forum which will include individuals with disabilities, representatives of people with disabilities or organisations concerned with disabilities in the Borough.  Appointed representatives can send substitutes to meetings if they are unable to attend.

The following non-council representatives were appointed to serve on the Forum for the Municipal Year 2016/2017:

Helen Sismore                        Guide Dogs

Genene Henshaw                   Guide Dogs

Julie Manning                          Stroke Association

Jackie North-Jones                 Parkinsons

Polly Norman                          Disabled Person

David Norman                         RBL

Karan McKerrow                     NAS West Norfolk

Thomas Sutcliffe                     National Autistic Society West Norfolk

Frances Singleterry                West Norfolk Older Persons Forum

Cathy Warner                         Phobbies

June Leamon                          West Norfolk Patient Partnership

To note any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Lucy McDowie – Care and Repair (substitute – Kiley Holden).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes from the previous meeting.

AGREED:  The Minutes from the West Norfolk Disability Forum Annual General Meeting held on 22 July 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

Allison Bingham provided an update as set out below.

Opportunity Awards – June 2016

The Opportunity Awards held in June 2016 had proved successful and an article had been published in Your Local Paper.

The Forum expressed thanks to Allison Bingham for organising the event.

Allison Bingham advised the Forum that discussions were being held with Portfolio Holders at the Borough Council regarding future Award Events to determine whether the Opportunity Awards would be combined as a bigger corporate event or whether it would continue to be held as a standalone event.  The next Opportunity Awards Ceremony would be held in 2018.

Celebrate Ability

The Forum were invited to put forward ideas/how the event would be advertised to Allison Bingham.

Paralympics - Disability Sports Day 27 September 2016 – Lynnsport

Allison Bingham provided information on the above event and discussions which had taken place with the Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer.

It was explained that free events would be offered and if sufficient interest was shown clubs could potentially be developed for specific sports.

Those present were invited to consider whether the Forum wished to be involved with the event, for example, by assisting with advertising, volunteering on the day or contributing prizes.

AGREED: Allison Bingham to discuss how the Forum could assist with the Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer and email a response to the Forum direct.

Allison Bingham reported than a response was awaited from the Police at Wymondham.  It was noted that the Forum would pay for the venue and the Police would undertake the training.

Mrs Leamon enquired if participants could be awarded a badge for display on their vehicle following the training course in order that members of the public could be made aware that mobility vehicle drivers had undertaken training.

Allison Bingham advised that that last national campaign had been held in Holt in May 2016.

The Chairman, Councillor Bubb suggested that the training event be published in Your Local Paper.

The Chairman, Councillor Bubb commented that the next scheduled meeting on 15 September 2016 at Park House would be used for the recruitment drive event and suggested that the Mayor, Your Local Paper and the Leader be invited to attend.

The purpose of the event would be to hold a social gathering to attract new Members to join the West Norfolk Disability Forum.

A printed invitation would be designed to circulate to guests. 

AGREED:  The Forum were invited to forward a list of attendees to Allison Bingham/ Rebecca Parker by no later than 15 August 2016.

It was noted that no representatives from the West Norfolk Disability Forum attended the King’s Lynn Area Consultative Committee meeting on 12 July 2016.

AGREED:  The Forum’s Annual Report was approved.

To be reported at the next meeting of the Forum.

To consider items to be added to the Work Programme for 2016/2017.

A Work Programme would be circulated with the Agenda for the next meeting of the Forum.

Members of the Forum were invited to put forward items for inclusion on the Work Programme for 2016/2017.

Allison Bingham advised of the following items to be schedule in the Forum’s Work Programme:

·         Town Wide App – Allison Bingham provided background information on the development of the App and suggested that the three or four volunteers from the Forum trial the App.  Allison Bingham to check if headphones were available.

·         Skateboard Shed at Lynnsport – Allison Bingham suggested officers be invited to attend a future meeting (October) to provide an overview of the facilities available.

·         Autism Accreditation Project.

15^th September 2016 – 1.30pm – Park House, Sandringham

25^th January 2017 – 2.30pm – Committee Suite

19^th April 2017 – 2.30pm – Venue to be confirmed

19^th July 2017 – 2.30pm – Committee Suite – Annual General Meeting

AGREED: The schedule of future meetings was agreed as set out in the Agenda.  The Chairman, Councillor Bubb requested than an additional meeting be scheduled in October 2016.

Bus Station Toilets

In response to questions and comments, Allison Bingham advised that a Tour of the Bus Station would be scheduled into the Work Programme following the completion of the car park repairs.

AGREED:  Allison Bingham confirmed that any previous comments had been forwarded to the Borough Council’s Depot and undertook to contact relevant officers to check on progress.

A Boards

Polly Norman made reference to the number of A Boards in the town centre, particularly outside Café Mocha in New Conduit Street and circulated photographs. 

AGREED:  Allison Bingham undertook to discuss the issues raised with the relevant Borough Council officers.

Toning Tables, Lynnsport

In response to comments made regarding the position and condition of the toning tables, Allison Bingham suggested that the individual users of the equipment contact Mark Mitchell direct.  The concerns of the Forum would also be forwarded to the Lynnsport Manager.

15^th September 2016 – 1.30pm – Park House Hotel, Sandringham.

The next meeting of the West Norfolk Disability Forum would take place on Thursday 15 September 2016 at 1.30 pm, Park House, Sandringham.