Agenda and minutes

The Chair will welcome everyone to the meeting.  

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced those on the top table.  Attendees were reminded to introduce themselves, state the organisation they represent and to use the microphone when addressing the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from (Cindy Bolton Chorley & South Ribble CVS), Estelle Brown (Chorley Pensioners Association), Dawn Clark (NHS Central Lancashire), Reverend Martin Cox (St Laurance’s Church), Faruk Desai (Preston & Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council), Diane Gradwell (Chorley Citizens Advice), Deanna Hartley-Davis (Runshaw College), Ronald Kay (Deaf Forum), Maureen Kay (Deaf Forum), John Miller (NHS Central Lancashire), David Naden (Link-Ability), Jeannie Stirling (Homestart) and Marel Urry (Hoghton Parish Council).

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Equality Forum held on 8 July 2010 (enclosed).  A schedule outlining queries raised at the last meeting and since is also enclosed (page 9)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Equality Forum meeting held on 8 July 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising

Minute 10.EF.84 – Sustainable Community Strategy

Sarah James announced that the Sustainable Community Strategy had been approved and copies were now available.  For your copy contact Sarah James on 01257 515348 or e-mail sarah.james@chorley.gov.uk

Q&A 2 (page 10)

Sarah James advised the Forum that Terrance Reynolds has agreed to undertake some work with Lancashire County Council regarding the questions raised relating to deaf children in education at the last Equality Forum. A meeting is being arranged with the Disability Forum and Lancashire County Council.

Ashley Weir will be attending from Lancashire County Council to deliver a short presentation on Lancashire transport and will then take questions.

What is the purpose of this item?

This item is in response to the request by the Equality Forum to have more detailed discussions about rural transport.

Ashley Weir can be contacted on tel: 01772 534564,                        fax: 01772 534685 or email Ashley.Weir@lancashire.gov.uk

Tony Morton, Lancashire County Council’s Assistant Director for Sustainable Transport gave a presentation on Rural Transport.

Members of the meeting were informed that of the 24 bus services Lancashire County Council provide, 14 of them operate in rural areas, with most of them operating an hourly or two hourly services depending on the demand. 

The majority of the bus fleet have low floor accesibility.   

Lancahsire County Council also provide community transport.  The tender for this services was recently awarded to Dial-a-Ride from 1 October 2010.

In addition, car schemes were in operation in different parts of the borough.  Tony explained that there are pools of volunteers who will pick up passengers, for a pre-booked journey, and take them to their destination.

Looking to the future, due to budget pressures all transport services are being reviewed, this may result in a reduction in services for some buses and the withdrawl of other services altogether.  The request for public consultation on any decision that would effect a bus service was noted.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Dickinson, Tony advised that the three month trial bus service on a Tuesday which covered Brindle started slowly but in recent weeks there had been an increase in passenger demand.  However, to make the service sustainable there needed to be at least 12 passengers using the service regularly.

For more information Tony Morton can be contacted on e-mail tony.moreton@lancashire.gov.uk

Chorley Youth Council will give a presentation on the role of Chorley Youth Council and their views on 'Age'.

Members of the Youth Council gave a presentation on the purpose of the Youth Council  and its role within the Equality Forum.

The purpose of the Youth Council was to ensure that young people were represented and listened to by decision makers.  The Youth Council’s membership consists of young people throughout the borough from different schools, faiths, and ages between 13-19 years old.

The four major areas of focus for this year for the Youth Council are:

·        Transport

·        Political Education

·        Positive Images

·        Sex & Relationships Education

The Youth Council also work in partnership with other young people organisations including the Children’s Trust.

Members of the Forum applauded the work of the Youth Council and their members participation in the Equality Forum.

Members of the Youth Council took questions from the Forum.

Terrance Reynolds asked if the Youth Council could look at ways to encourage children with hearing loss to get involved.  In response members of the Youth Council advised that they have already been looking at ways to encourage young people with disabilities to become involved in the Youth Council.

Frances McGuire asked if the Youth Council worked with other age groups.  In reply the Forum was informed that the Youth Council focused on ages 13-19 but would be happy to work with other age groups.

Councillor Anthony Gee asked if they could publicise more of the positive work the Youth Council did as it was felt young people have a poor press, which was not representational of most young people.

RESOLVED – the Youth Council to receive some support from Chorley Council’s Policy and Communications Officers. 

Members of the Youth Council were presented certificates in recognition of their commitment and active participation on behalf of the Youth Council at the Equality Forum.

Sarah James, Performance, Partnership and Equalities Manager for Chorley Council will present this item.

What is the purpose of this item?

This report is for information, and provides the Equality Forum with an update on the Action Plan as agreed in May 2010. 

Sarah James can be contacted on tel: 01257 515348 or email sarah.james@chorley.gov.uk

Sarah James updated the Forum on the progress of work identified in the Town Centre Accessibility Action Plan.

Work completed to date included:

·        a number of drop kerbs had been created

·        planters within the town centre that had been considered a hazard to those with disabilities had either been removed or repositioned to more appropriate locations

·        work was due to commence in October/November to introduce tactile paving in the areas identified in the Action Plan

In addition Council officers were working with the Chamber of Trade to encourage shop keepers and market stall holders to be more aware of the problems their premises and market stall frontage displays could cause to people with disabilities. 

In response to calls for enforcement action to be taken when a shop keeper or market stall holder persistantly breached the conditions of their licence, Chris Sinnott confirmed that there were ongoing discussions between Chorley Council and Lancashire County Council over the devolution of their enforcement powers to Chorley. 

It was acknowledged that there was still a lot of work to be done, and that members of the Forum would be kept up to date on progress.

·              Councillor Rosemary Russell expressed her thanks to everyone involved organising and helping with the activities for older people on Friday, 1 October 2010.

·              Ginny Jones was concerned that the lights at controlled crossing changed quickly, particularly the school crossing at Whittle-le-Woods.

       Officers undertook to liaise with Lancashire County Council on this issue.

·        Joyce Morris Intergenerational Project is developing in Eccleston with excellent support from  Shelagh Linley and Natalie Holt,  Community Development Officers from People and Places and Michael Rushe of Active Generation..

Following the Pancake Day Celebrations a Dance Exchange Day was planned and a series of meetings in Eccleston followed.  We wanted to avoid 'ballroom' dances with partners so settled on  Older Volunteer Line dancers from Age Concern  Coppull demonstrating first then Ecclestonions  would show some social dances from our younger days.  Pupils and the Head teacher from Eccleston Primary  School  (Doctors Lane) came to Bateman Hall, Eccleston on Friday the 17th of September and the Line Dancing soon got under way.  After refreshments  The Palais Glide was rather more difficult to set up than forseen but we'll try again.  The Lambeth Walk was more successful.  From a popular show of the 30's, Me and My Gal, we showed an illustrated  copiy of the sheet music with dance instructions.  Also the colourful sleeve of a recording of the modern version of the show which starred Robert Lindsay and Emma Thompson whom young people recognise today from  their film and television work. The event  ended at 3p.m with thanks all round.

The Knit and Natter group meet regularly and plan to offer a knitting lesson to pupils of St. Mary's Primary School, Eccleston.

Logistics are slowing down arrangements but we are sure that it will soon take place.

·              Judith Daniels asked if something could be done about the controled crossing on Preston Road, situated outside the hosptial ending on a cycle path?

       Officers undertook to liaise with Lancashire County Council on this issue.

·              Branches on the trees on Devonshire Road were severely overhanging and need pruning back.

       Officers to liaise with Streetscene to arrange maintenance.

·              Judith Daniels reported that there has been some broken glass on Devonshire Road near the Registry Office for sometime, which could cause serious injury to guide dogs.

       Officers to liaise with Streetscene to arrange removal of the broken glass.

·              Officers were advised that the disabled wheelchair swing at the play area on Devonshire Road had been broken for sometime, and asked if it could be repaired before the next Equality Forum meeting.

Officers undertook to look in to this issue.

·              Councillor Beverley Murray requested a list of play areas with equipment for disabled children and how funding was allocated for this type of equipment.

       A list of play areas within the borough, with equipment suitable children with disabilities would be made available for the next meeting.

·              Eileen Bee asked when considering the desin of any play area that they included play equipment suitable for children with disabilities.

No issues were raised.

·              Councillor Rosemary Russell asked why children from faith schools were being charged £2 per child for Lancashire County Council School transport.

       Colin Everett, District Partnership officer undertook to liaise with colleagues and respond.

No issues were raised.

No issues were raised.

No issues were raised.

Members of the Forum are welcome to inform other members of upcoming event, give feedback or notices. 

·        Marilyn Porter announced that an event had been arranged for carers of people with dementia on 27 October 2010 from 1.30pm-4.30pm.  Free care was available for those cared for.  For more information contact 01257 230698.

·        Claire Dillon announced Help Direct will be celebrating their second birthday by holding a joint event with Action for the Blind on 2 November 2010.  A mobile information unit will be located on Fazakerley Street between 10am-4pm.  Specialists would be on hand to offer help and advice.

·        Terrance Reynolds asked that the Chorley Smile magazine be made available in sign language on the website.

·        Sarah James announced that the new Equality Legislation came in to force on 1 October 2010.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Chair encouraged members to take part in the networking session.