Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  People present introduced themselves and their role at the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Danny Gee, Marie Gray, Cath Hoyle, June Molyneaux, Iris Smith and Stella Walsh, also Margaret Stansfield, Alan Capstick, Elaine Knott, Nancy Banks, Ivy Carroll, Harold Rimmer and Maurice Waterhouse. 

Members of the Liaison Group are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct.  If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, then the individual Member should not participate in a discussion on the matter and must withdraw from the room and not seek to influence a decision on the matter.

None of the Members declared any interest in relation to matters under consideration at the meeting.

The Group will consider:

• Big issues
• The membership and representation of the Group,
• What the Group wants to achieve. 

Sarah explained that this discussion item aimed to highlight good things that the Group achieved, things that needed to be addressed and any suggestions for the future. 

The Group highlighted the following points:

Good

The involvement of the Group in scrutiny inquiries, such as the One Stop Shop, had resulted in positive changes. 

The involvement of the Forum in determining licenses for hackney carriages had ensured disability issues were properly considered.

Bad

There were ongoing issues with Chorley Railway station, in particular the edging contrast needed on the steps to the underpass.

For future consideration

In the past there had been a sub group that made comments on Planning Applications that affected public places.  The sub discussed practical issues, such as signage, that were outside the remit of planning law.  Input from the group with Town Hall and Union Street building works had been really positive.  It was agreed that this sub group be started again and report back to main group.  This sub could link in to a Planning Forum that the Development and Regeneration Directorate were setting up. 

It was suggested that the Group be involved in equality and diversity training for Chorley Council officers and Councillors.  Members of the Group would need adequate notice of sessions.  There was potential to involve other agencies in the developing training program.

There is a need to ask children more about what they need and want and to get them involved.

The ability to select different font sizes on the Council’s new website was good, there were plans to make use of screen readers in the future.  The level of English on the site was not suitable for deaf people and it was suggested that a sign language interpreter be available in the corner of the screen like the Lancashire County Council web site.

It would be helpful to have an agreed definition of consultation and reasonable timescales for responses.  There was a feeling that the consultation relating to Astley Park had not been effective. 

The Group discussed general headings,

Transport,

Access and Accessibility: e.g. road crossings. 

Town Centre review: the Town Centre Strategyand rural areas,

Information: needs to be clear from business and service providers.

Street furniture: refuse, bins, bollards, A-boards causing obstructions.

Parking: e.g. on pavements.  (There is a useful project report on guidedogs.co.uk). 

Crossings: e.g. St Thomas’ Road outside Town Hall (this is being looked at) crossings on corners are difficult for deaf people.

The Group discussed widening the representation and membership, to include organizations such as Dial a Ride, the Local Strategic Partnership, Chorley Widlcats etc.  It was agreed that officers would write out to organizations to invite them to the meeting.  It was noted that if the numbers increased Committee Room 1 would not be large enough, this would be kept under review.

It was agreed to create some guidance for officers who came to the meeting including not using jargon, the provision of handouts with one slide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

• Wednesday 4 July 2007
• Wednesday 3 October 2007
• Wednesday 9 January 2008
• Wednesday 23 April 2008

The next meeting of the Group would be Wednesday 11 July 2007 commencing at 7 pm.