Agenda and draft minutes

Emma Parry welcome all to the meeting both online and in the room. Emma passed on apologies from Martin and Alan and advised she would be chairing the meeting.   

Emma thanked Debbie MacColl for attending her first meeting and very grateful for the support and handover of the forum.  

Apologies were also received from Beverley Mennell and Kit Nicholas.

Code of Conduct issued with the agenda. All asked to observe and follow.  

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as a correct record.

Minutes sent prior to the meeting. Minutes approved. Question raised by Catherine Baker – could we explain CIL and statement Parish Councils receive 25% of CIL for developments in their area. DM advised CIL stood for Community Infrastructure Levy  

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk) 

Action: Emma Parry to get further information to share to Catherine Barker 

Paul Rhodes

Paul Rhodes had not managed to attend the meeting. Action: EP to make contact to join the next meeting.   

Shared by Graeme Wilson: - Para Swimming development event I’m organising in partnership with Andy Sharp from Northampton Swimming Club.  

Opportunity for Disabled People to Get Involved in Swimming - Blog (northamptonshiresport.org) 

Rachel shared link for Fernie Fields – Sports4fitness. Disability Fun day 25^th June 2023. 

Kids Football | Sport4fitness Cic | Moulton (sport4fitness-cic.co.uk) 

Debbie MacColl shared information about Park Walks Northampton and setting up a walking group to support Dementia. 60 timed events. Pete Middleton supporting. Further details to follow.  April / May time.  

Ryan Griffiths (NCF) shared Grant information.  ryan@ncf.uk.com 

Cecil Pettit was one of the founding members of Ability Northants, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of people living with disabilities. Following his passing in 2000,?a legacy fund was established to carry on Cecil Pettit's?good work.?This fund is?managed and facilitated by Northamptonshire Community Foundation, with the aim to fund?projects supporting?people living with disabilities.? 

Examples of some of the?types of projects this fund could support include: 

o        Support or advocacy groups? 

o        Helping people living with disabilities by providing accessible educational or training activities? 

o        Health and well-being projects to reduce social isolation 

The maximum funding award is £3,000. In order to apply please complete an?expression of interest form?by Friday 24th February 2023 and email to Ryan Griffiths:?ryan@ncf.uk.com 

Carl raised about costings for use of pools and how expensive it is for groups to hire various centres etc.  Nick Wilson shared VR Therapies as a contact.  Ryan Griffiths confirmed that groups could apply for funding but would need to be a constituted group.  

19^th- 25^th June Learning Disability Week.  

Members keen to get involved in more events. 

Carl shared event On Target Shooting Range event – Sport ability Paralysis 8^th March 2023. Brackmills. Action: Carl to send further information.  

International Day People with Disabilities - YouTube (link for those who had not seen the event) 

All who had seen the event enjoyed the content and the shared spaces however noted that attendance was not high. Discussed that people were not aware of the event. See above noted about promotion and attendance. 

Great host: Kian Saville  

Keen to increase attendance – members shared that the virtual event had increased attendance but feel it would be good to have a face-to-face event. 

IDPWD event in the summer discussed briefly. (Disability week)  

Action: Review next meeting. Planning for IDPWD 2023 

a.             Introduction to Money & Pensions (unable to join this meeting, request to be asked to attend the next meeting).  

b.             WNC Contact Manager – reporting process 

c.              Leisure Centre Survey – invite providers to come to the next meeting.  

d.             IDPWD 2023 planning.  Face to Face / Virtual  

a.                  Placement Issues  

Dottie Davies asked who she could speak about placement issues and reporting – lots of issues scooters, wheelchairs, potholes, roads, and pavements. What can I do and where can I report? Dottie supports lots of members on different forums. Aware of a lot of websites and contacts but issues are not being responded to. Suggestions given of Street Doctor and Daventry IAG (Independent Advisor Group).  Eleri advised the IAG critical friend of the Police.  

Independent Advisory Groups | Northamptonshire Police (northants.police.uk) 

Cllr Duffy advised to contact local Cllr who could take up any issues.  Action: Agreed for local contact centre Manager to be asked to the next forum 

b.                  Disability forum membership 

            Disabled People's Forum | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk) 

Discussed this forum and advised that GP Practices were not aware of the Disability Forum – would be good to promote.  The forum has also been promoted to Parish and Town Councils. Action: Please promote and advise of other groups / contacts we can share information to.Action: DM to share information of the forum to the Parish Council Forum to share awareness.  

Discussion on membership to the Forum – all keen to engage young people. Members advised lots of people, both younger and older do not like to admit their disability.  Need to ensure inclusive of everyone and feel safe and heard.  

Nick Wilson offered to share videos he has made – promote to all.  Action: Emma Parry and Nick Wilson to meet to discuss further. 

Eleri Neale gave further information re PHAB - PHAB CLUB meet FRIDAY 7-9PM at 11, Sheraton Close, NN3 2NL 

Phab | Phab creates opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people of all ages to make more of life together | phab 

Need to share information to GPs. Deb Burns advised she is meeting with a GP about adding out newsletter to their website. Will update following the meeting. Newsletter is available for all to subscribe to.  

 
To subscribe to our Newsletter please click here? 

c.                   Leisure Centre Survey 

DM shared the responses prior to the meeting.   Graeme Wilson advised he had shared further and asked for additional feedback.   

Key feedback – I don’t feel confident / Lack of information about inclusive activities 

Discussed in detail and shared real-life experiences.  Concerns have been heard and we need to encourage all to use more.  Members agreed to ask providers to attend a meeting to discuss further and improve attendance / support.  Action: Agenda item 

d.                  Other items  

Discussed community transport.  DACT / Door to Door / Ability Bus. Disparity for disabled people in rural area. 

Contacts below for all: 

·                     Ability Bus 01327 607123  Bus Service - Local Free Travel with ABILITY Northants cic (abilitycic.org.uk) 

·                     DACT: DACT 

·                     Door to Door to Door Service | Voluntary Impact Northampton 

e.     AFrame Barriers

Dottie Davis asked about AFrame Barriers and blocking entrances / footpath access.  Catherine Barker advised to contact Local Access Forum. Action: Catherine and Dottie to liaise outside of the meeting.  

Northamptonshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Thursday 6 April, 2.30pm

Thursday 6 April 2023 at 2.30pm in Northampton’s Guildhall and on Teams