Quarterly Meeting –Minutes
Monday 24 April 2023
Present: Phil Dodson (Chair, SDDF), Helen Firth (CDF), Maggie Donnelly (RDF), Oliver Griffiths (HDDF), Ian Lawson (YCRDF), John Slaughter (NAOFF), Eleanor Tew (York Disability Rights Forum), Claire Canavan (NYC), Eleanor Gabriel (YCRDF—part of the meeting)
Apologies: Jeremy Dunford, John Slaughter
Key to Abbreviations
CDF—Craven Disability Forum
HDDF—Harrogate District Disability Forum
NAOFF— Northallerton Over Fifties Forum
NYCC—North Yorkshire Council
NYDF—North Yorkshire Disability Forum
NYLDPB – North Yorkshire Learning Disability Partnership Board
RDF—Ripon Disability Forum
SDDF—Selby District Disability Forum
YCRDF—Yorkshire Coast and Ryedale Disability Forum
YDRF- York Disability Rights Forum
1. Welcome and Introductions
Phil welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.
2. Notes of the last meeting
The notes of the last meeting were approved as accurate.
3. Actions and matters arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Local Forum reports
Chairs of local forums provided highlights from the local forum reports.
Craven Disability Forum
- The survey report is almost finished and they have a list of people to contact about it. Housing has emerged as one of the issues.
- The forum received a Legacy Award from Craven District Council.
- There are concerns about the accessibility issues caused by the closing of ticket offices and they are writing to their MP about this.
- Wheelchair accessible taxi vehicles were discussed and it was raised whether there is a way of incentivising taxi companies to get such vehicles.
- The forum has also been looking into the new Voter ID laws and how to ensure people have got the ID they need.
Ian suggested the Accessible Transport Group could target the issue of guards on trains.
Harrogate District Disability Forum
- A Disability Employment Advisor attended the forum and clarified the support available to people for getting a job, and discussed the Access to Work scheme.
- Oliver provided an update on the Station Gateway project and other works happening in the Harrogate area.
- The availability of wheelchair accessible taxis remains a concern.
- The forum is still hoping to have a representative from Harrogate Hospital to attend the forum to discuss concerns about the car park. Andrew noted it is difficult to find disabled parking spaces.
Andrew asked if there were topics that Oliver felt were not covered by the Disability Employment Advisor. Oliver said that it is difficult to find out what support is available if you are not online. Helen noted that an Employment Advisor had attended Craven Disability Forum. She noted that an advisor is allocated to Craven for half a day per week and Harrogate for 2 days per week. The forum discussed inviting the Employment Advisor to NYDF. It was agreed that local forums discuss concerns relating to employment amongst themselves and that these are then brought back to the June meeting, with the DWP invited to attend this.
Ripon Disability Forum
- The forum had a stand in the Cathedral as a part of the Ripon Sights and Sounds. A quiz generated interest bring people to the stand.
- The disability audit work has continued to assist with the National Trust with the Forum commenting on the drafts of their new literature and website
- The forum continue to work with the National Trust around accessibility at Fountains Abbey.
- The forum will be delivering some Disability Awareness Training in the Autumn and has applied to take part in the St Wilfrid’s Procession at the end of July to raise awareness.
- The forum has made an application for funding to create a website and to link it to the route mapping project
- The forum will shortly be undertaking the Access audit in Boroughbridge
Yorkshire Coast and Ryedale Disability Forum
- The forum have had a good meeting with Stronger Communities and feel there is a lot of support out there for groups.
- Ian is continuing his work on accessible taxis.
- The next forum meeting will be taking place on June 21st.
5. Interim Vice-Chair elections
Andrew and Helen put themselves forward to be vice-chair. They each spoke about why they would like the role. A vote was taken and Anderw was elected.
It was agreed that Andrew will act as chair while Nick take a leave of absence.
6. Taxi updated
Ian updated the forum about the new taxi policy which has been adopted by North Yorkshire Council and which is concerned will not increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available. The council is going to commission an Inclusive Service Plan to look at how this number can be increased. Ian has contacted Stronger Communities managers and they have provided him with information about disabled people’s organisation in North Yorkshire and he has contacted them to see what information they are able to collect from their members about their experiences. NRS wheelchair services have also agreed to circulate information to their service users. Whitby DAG will help with compiling the information.
A discussion followed about the benefits of an access officer. Andrew noted the example of Chester which he thought would be good to raise with North Yorkshire Council. Ian noted that this had been discussed in the meeting which the forum had had with Richard Flinton. Ian feels that NYDF needs to lobby for this. Eleanor Tew noted that City of York Council has just appointed an access officer.
Helen asked if there is a designated councillor with responsibility for disability issues. Claire said that there is not a specific portfolio holder for disability. Ian noted that one of the councillors he has been dealing with is very disability friendly.
It was agreed that it would be useful to contact Richard Flinton and ask for update about what progress had been made against the items discussed with Richard Flinton and to outline again the benefits of an access officer.
Action: NYDF to contact Richard Flinton to ask for update about what progress had been made against the items discussed and to outline again the benefits of an access officer.
A discussion followed about the cost of licence plates and increased fares for taxis.
The forum discussed how best to stay in contact with one another between meetings. It was felt that better use could be made of the facebook group to provide updates between meetings. It was agreed that a separate, private Facebook group would be set up specifically for committee members. Eleanor Gabriel does not use Facebook, but it was agreed that another YCRDF member could relay relevant information to her.
The membership of the Accessible Transport Group was discussed. There is currently a shortage of active members and the forum discussed what could be done to address this.
Action: Oliver to join Accessible Transport Group
Action: Ian to contact list of disabled people’s organisations to see if their members are interested in joining the group.
Eleanor Tew provided an updated about the work of York Disability Rights Forum. It was agreed that in future YDRF will provide a forum report.
- City of York Council has appointed an Access Officer who has attended YDRF. They have set up a
- Issues caused by pavement cafes have improved and licensing has returned to pre-covid.
- Blue Badge parking remains an issue. A shuttle bus has been offered and YDRF has been invited to view this. The council did try this at the start of the pandemic but there were issues with the website.
- The health subgroup is focusing on mental health and neurodiversity following changes to the diagnostic pathway for ADHD and autism.
- The disability awareness training session YDRF ran went well.
- YDRF’s AGM will be held on 22 June at Friargate Meeting House, with an opportunity to join online.
It was asked who funds YDRF. Eleanor said it was mainly funded through donations. Andrew asked if the forum is in contact with My Sight. Eleanor confirmed that they are.
6. Key Priorities Update
Ian read a list of topics which he thought the forum could input into. It was noted that housing and inputting into new local plan for North Yorkshire could be an area which a subgroup could be formed to address. If further subgroups are formed, the forum will need to address how these are facilitated/ administered as there would not be capacity within the Participation and Engagement team to do this.
Membership numbers for the local forums were discussed. There is variation between different areas.
It was agreed that the next development day is scheduled for the forum to discuss future directions. Late June/ early July was suggested as a date.
Action: Claire to enquire about availability of York CVS.
7. Any other business
There is an anonymous post on NYDF Facebook group.
Action: Claire will look into this.
