Agenda and minutes

The Chair will welcome everyone to the meeting. 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the people on the top table.  People were reminded to say their name, the organisation they represent and to use the microphone when speaking.  

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Jane Burns (Duke St Children’s Centre), Councillor Pat Case (Chorley Council and Lancashire County Council), Albert and Rita Jeffrey (Deaf Forum), Jeff Smith (MIND) and Arthur Parr. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Equality Forum held on 19th November 2008 (enclosed).  The schedule outlining queries raised at the last meeting requiring a more detailed response is also enclosed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

Kerry Maguire, the Council’s Emergency Planning Assistant, will present this item.

What is the purpose of the item?

To outline the work of the Emergency Planning Team and the need for public awareness to Civil Resilience. To discuss the importance of warning the public what to do in the event of an emergency.

Questions for the Forum

Would any groups be willing to disseminate civil resilience material to their group/associates?

Is there interest from groups to receive information and/or the provision of assistance to engage with the various groups within the wider community of Chorley?

What are we going to do with the information?

On the basis of information provided it will enable the Council to understand the needs of specific groups and eliminate incorrect presumptions being made, it will also give insight into future work streams with regards to warning and informing for vulnerable persons. 

The Chair welcomed Kerry Maguire, the Council’s Emergency Planning Assistant who gave a presentation on the importance of a resilient community and the need for the public to be aware of what to do in the event of an emergency situation.

Kerry asked the Forum whether groups would be willing to disseminate civil resilience material to their group/associates and if there is interest from groups to receive information and/or the provision of assistance to engage with the various groups within the wider community of Chorley. 

Kerry clarified that information collected would relate to organisations rather than individuals, for example, British Sign Language interpreters.

Lessons would be learnt from the recent gas explosion in Rossendale going forward.  Information was provided on the Council’s website, articles in Chorley Borough News and leaflets were available in libraries and sports centre, for both businesses and residents.  An exercise had been held specifically for businesses last February.

The Chair thanked Kerry for her presentation.  Kerry can be contacted on 01257 515125 or email kerry.maguire@chorley.gov.uk. 

Deanna Hartley-Davis from Runshaw College will present this item.

What is the purpose of the item?

To inform the Forum what equality and diversity means at Runshaw College. 

Questions for the Forum

Do Forum members have any ideas for further improvements?

What are we going to do with the information?

Feedback will inform future work at Runshaw around equality and diversity.

The Chair welcomed Deanna Hartley-Davis from Runshaw College who outlined the work of the college to promote equality issues.  Several course prospectus were made available. 

A query was raised on how the college communicate with hard to reach families.  Runshaw currently offer courses in Literacy and Numeracy to adults at community venues including Leyland Library and Clayton Brook Primary School.  Runshaw have taught at a variety of venues across the Boroughs of South Ribble and Chorley over the years and are always happy to work with community groups to deliver Skills for Life.  This provision is for groups of learners (12-14).  Runshaw offer a wide variety of classes at all levels in both Maths and English across three sites which are easily accessed by our communities, during the day and in the evening.  Runshaw also have a vibrant ESOL provision for learners for whom English is not their first language.  For further information or to arrange courses contact Joanna Frith-Jones 01772 622677.

It was noted that a larger number of images of students with disabilities should be used for promotional materials.  The IT skills bus, a mobile internet and learning centre visits venues across Chorley, South Ribble and Preston, and is fully accessible for wheelchair users.  Runshaw is a wholly inclusive college and welcomes all learners.  Runshaw use a wide range of materials to publicise the college of which the prospectus is one.  The images used across the range reflect an inclusive approach.

The number of current students with special education needs are:

MLD                                                          176

Dyslexia                                                   270

Dyscalculia                                              3

Aspergers Syndrome                             44

Dyspraxia                                                 30

Severe Learning Difficulties                  3

Multiple Learning Difficulties                  3

ADHD/EBD                                             31

The Chair thanked Deanna for her presentation.  Deanna can be contacted on 01772 643014 (ext:3082) or email Hartley-Davis.D@runshaw.ac.uk.

The Forum will consider a report on the forward plan of agenda items.

The Forum considered the enclosed forward plan of agenda items.  Further items were requested relating to Neighbourhood Watch, a presentation on Health Inequalities Strategy and the Council’s approach to Equality and Diversity including the breakdown of resources dedicated to it. 

If there are any other items Forum members would like please contact Ruth Hawes on 01257 515118 or ruth.hawes@chorley.gov.uk.

The Forum members took a short break.

A period of up to half an hour in total will be allowed.

Responses to queries will be presented as a schedule to the minutes on the next agenda.

Joyce Morris advised that Creative Mind and Help the Aged have funded a number of Jazz events with dancing, singing and foot tapping.  If anyone would like further information call 01257 452059. 

Victoria Hansford requested use of the Lancastrian room and ballot boxes for elections for the Youth Council on 26 February.  Officers undertook to make contact with Victoria to make arrangements.

Alison Hansford queried whether the charges for use of leisure centres by parent organisations, such as Chorley Wildcats, could be reduced.  This would be queried with the Corporate Director (People).

Some of the walk ways in the town centre are cluttered.  At a previous meeting a walkabout had been discussed – has this taken place?  If not, please could Eileen Bee and the Disability Forum be invited.  Officers undertook to look into this. 

No issues were raised.

Janette Hickey advised that meetings were ongoing regarding a Street Pastors initiative.  Some funding and volunteers were in place.  

It was reported that Livingwaters were involved in community work and would be invited to attend the next meeting.

Information was requested on the provision of support for victims of domestic violence.  Information would be presented to a future meeting.  

Officers advised that the next meeting of the Rurality task and finish group would be held on 25 February 2009 at 5.30pm. 

Support for rural business was queried.  Details of a redundancy task force, funded through the Local Strategic Partnership, would be provided at a future meeting. 

It was noted that the LGBT youth group POUT were not able to attend the Forum as they also meet on a Wednesday night.  A solution to this would be researched. 

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

Eileen Bee advised that the Reach event would be held on Thursday 30, Friday 31 July, and Saturday 1 August.  The event would be a similar format to last year.  If anyone would like to be involved in the planning groups or having a stall contact Eileen on 01772 518000 or email csr@disabilityforum.freeserve.co.uk

Reverend John Cree advised that United Utilities had not changed their stance regarding water bills for voluntary organisations, but the company have shown concerns regarding the bad publicity.

Reverend John Cree advised that a series of Lent Lectures were being held, including one by a Canon from Jerusalem.  Details would be uploaded to the Council’s website along with other information from tonight’s meeting. 

Forum Members were reminded of the Holocaust event on Saturday at 11am Astley Park in Astley Park. 

A Jazz concert would be held on 11 February at 7.30pm at St Laurence’s Church to raise money for Chorley Homeless.

Cindy Bolton advised she had attended a meeting relating to women who are the victims of domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds.  Any help or support would be gratefully received.