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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Rosemary Russell, Sue Banister (Independent Domestic Abuse Adviser), David Brown (Chorley Pensioners Association), Estelle Brown (Chorley Pensioners Association), Andrew Burrows (Lancashire County Council), Heather Corson (Chorley and South Ribble Community Safety Officer), Albert and Rita Jeffrey (Deaf Forum), Ronnie and Maureen Kay (Deaf Forum), Geoff Smith (Lancashire Mind) and Ann Wheelan (Help Direct Chorley).

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Equality Forum held on 11 October 2012 (enclosed).

The minutes of the Equality Forum held on 11 October 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

What is the purpose of this item?

To provide an update on the plans to develop an inter-faith forum in Chorley, and welcome representatives from Blackburn with Darwen inter-faith forum who will share their experiences.  Members of the Equality Forum will be asked to take part in a short interactive session.

Questions for the Forum?

What are the priorities for an inter-faith forum in Chorley?

How could the inter-faith forum help support faith groups in Chorley?

What should the inter-faith forum do first?

What will we do with the information?

The feedback from the session will be included in planning the next steps for the development of the inter-faith forum.

Derek Estill from Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Forum gave a presentation which provided an insight as to the reasons why the Forum was established and how it had developed over time.

The Chair announced a short workshop to canvass the opinion of the Equality Forum if they would like an Interfaith Forum in Chorley, and what it could do. 

Results of the workshop were fedback following the networking break.

Chris Sinnott, Head of Policy and Communications for Chorley Council, announced a short networking break.

Sarah James, Partnerships Manager for Chorley Council, provided feedback from the Interfaith Forum workshop. 

The overwhelming response supported the idea of an Interfaith Forum in Chorley, other issues raised included ensuring that the forum is accessible:

·        meetings and events should be held in venues accessible for all

·        interpreters should attend meetings and events for those people with hearing difficulties

·        meetings should be accessible to a range of people and backgrounds

It was felt, as an Interfaith Forum, it could:

·        hold joint events

·        encourage faith friends

·        involve young people.

·        encourage shared understanding of different religions

·        promote better collaborative working across groups

The Chair confirmed that this feedback provided a good starter for discussions regarding the development of a forum in Chorley.

What is the purpose of this item?

To inform members of the Forum about the benefits the project will bring to our customers.

Questions for the Forum?

Members of the Forum would be asked about the accessibility of the service and promotion.

Doug Cridland, Waste and Contaminated Land officer for Chorley Council gave a presentation about the Council’s ‘Keep warm and well this winter’ project.

Chorley has approximately 1,900 elderly households that vulnerability from cold weather was a known risk.  Keep warm and well this winter project aims to help vulnerable older people 65+ to stay warm in their homes and to access health services.   The project had been funded by Department of Health and was delivered by Chorley Council and partner organisations.

The four-month campaign would run until the end of March 2013.

In response to queries raised by the Forum, Doug Cridland advised that the project was designed for older people but would consider widening the eligibility criteria to include vulnerable disabled people below the age of 65 if funding was secured to run this project again next year, and as such would meet with members of the Disability Forum to discuss the matter further.

Members of the Forum raised other concerns not within the remit of this item:

·        longstanding issue related to works on a Chorley Community Housing property – Richard Houghton from Chorley Community Housing agreed to speak to the tenant.

·         CouncillorCronshaw raised issues relating to the installation of a shower and a stair-lift for two separate disabled residents.  In response Chris Sinnott suggested these matters would be followed up by the Housing section. 

Ginny Jones asked that a presentation be delivered to members of Chorley Pensioners regarding social care.  In response Councillor Jean Cronshaw advised that the Older People’s Forum would be able to deliver this to Chorley Pensioners.

Donna Hussain from Clayton Brook Community House advised that there had been an increase in the number of males trying to access their counselling service and asked if the Council could identify male orientated courses including anger management?

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

·               Chorley Heritage gave a short presentation on their current projects and invited Members of the Forum to attend Chorley library on Tuesday 19 March 2013 between 10am-4pm to share stories, documents and photographs of times gone by.

        To find out more contact Chorley Heritage Centre on 01257 273294 or go to the website:

        www.chorleyheritagecentre.co.uk.

·                There will be a Health and Happiness in your hands event at the Gujarat Centre, Preston on 22 March 2013.  The morning session was now fully booked.  The afternoon session would commence from 2.30pm until 4pm and those attending would be able to visit stalls and get advice relating to self-care.  For more information please contact 01772 538293.

The next meeting of the Equality Forum will be held on 18 April 2013 at 6.30pm in the Lancastrian Room, Town Hall, Chorley.

Future meetings of the Equality Forum will be held on the following dates:

·        22 July 2013

·        17 October 2013

·        23 January 2014

·        3 April 2014

All meetings will commence at 6.30pm and be held in the Lancastrian Room, Town Hall, Chorley, unless otherwise stated on the agenda.

Members of the Forum noted the dates of future meetings, which would take place at 6.30pm, in the Lancastrian Room, Town Hall, Chorley unless otherwise advised:

·        18 April 2013

·        22 July 2013

·        17 October 2013

·        23 January 2014

• 3 April 2014