Agenda item

RECOMMENDED:   1)       That the West Norfolk Disability Forum be disbanded.

RESOLVED:1)       That the Leader appoint a Disabilities Champion in due course and terms of reference for the role be prepared.

2)       That the Environment and Community Panel is requesting the opportunity to look at the Borough Council’s Equality Policy which is due for review be noted.

3)       That the Environment and Community Panel will request an update on the Equalities Policy on an annual basis be noted.

4)       That ways to promote Equality on the Corporate Agenda be investigated.

5)       That a page be created on the website to promote the Disabilities Champion.  An e-form to be created so that members of the public can report issues direct to the Champion.

6)       That access to the Disability Awareness e-learning package currently available for staff be extended to Elected Members, funded from the Member Development budget.

7)       That the Disabilities Champion be encouraged to hold open forums with members of the public as required.

8)       The Disabilities Champion to report to the Environment and Community Panel on an annual basis.

9)       That the Opportunity Awards and other events hosted by the Forum be incorporated into other events already organised by the Borough Council.

Reason for Decision

To address concerns from Members of the West Norfolk Disability Forum that the Forum is not productive in its current format and no longer delivered its objectives as set out in its Constitution.  The Environment and Community Panel feel that the recommendations will result in an improvement in service.

The role is changed from the Disabilities and Equalities Champion to Disabilities Champion as it was felt that the equalities element was a different subject matter.

The Democratic Services Manager presented a report which explained that on 15^th March 2017, the Environment and Community Panel received a report on the work of the West Norfolk Disability Forum which raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Forum.  The Panel decided to set up an Informal Working Group to look at the future operation of the Forum.  The Informal Working Group presented its recommendations to the Environment and Community Panel on 4^th July 2017.

Feedback from Members who sat on the West Norfolk Disability Forum included concerns that the Forum was not productive in its current format, the size of the forum, lack of attendance at meetings, managing expectations of external attendees and that the Forum had become a ‘talking shop’ and no longer delivered its objectives, as set out in its Constitution. 

The Environment and Community Panel recommended to Cabinet that the West Norfolk Disability Forum be disbanded.  The Panel recommended alternative ways of working so that Members of the public could continue to have a route to report any issues within the Borough Council’s control.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Bubb, a Member of the Informal Working Group addressed the Cabinet in support of proposals from the Panel.  He considered that so much information was now available for people on the web that they considered the Forum defunct.

Councillor Long stated that he considered the proposed Champion should be Disabilities and not Disabilities and Equalities which would allow focus on the one issue.  This was supported by Cabinet.  The Leader explained that he would appoint the “Champion” in due course, but he proposed setting out some detail on the terms of reference for the role, which was supported so ensuring the role would be effective and accountable.

RECOMMENDED:   1)       That the West Norfolk Disability Forum be disbanded.

RESOLVED:1)       That the Leader appoint a Disabilities Champion in due course and terms of reference for the role be prepared.

2)       That the Environment and Community Panel is requesting the opportunity to look at the Borough Council’s Equality Policy which is due for review be noted.

3)       That the Environment and Community Panel will request an update on the Equalities Policy on an annual basis be noted.

4)       That ways to promote Equality on the Corporate Agenda be investigated.

5)       That a page be created on the website to promote the Disabilities Champion.  An e-form to be created so that members of the public can report issues direct to the Champion.

6)       That access to the Disability Awareness e-learning package currently available for staff be extended to Elected Members, funded from the Member Development budget.

7)       That the Disabilities Champion be encouraged to hold open forums with members of the public as required.

8)       The Disabilities Champion to report to the Environment and Community Panel on an annual basis.

9)       That the Opportunity Awards and other events hosted by the Forum be incorporated into other events already organised by the Borough Council.

Reason for Decision

To address concerns from Members of the West Norfolk Disability Forum that the Forum is not productive in its current format and no longer delivered its objectives as set out in its Constitution.  The Environment and Community Panel feel that the recommendations will result in an improvement in service.

The role is changed from the Disabilities and Equalities Champion to Disabilities Champion as it was felt that the equalities element was a different subject matter.