Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Matthew Toresen (Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire), and Samantha Lavender (Autism Concern).

Cllr. Larratt gave his apologies, as he had to leave at 6:00pm for a Planning Committee meeting.

Rashmi Shah and Simon Burgess were not on minutes as attending the last meeting. This will be corrected.

Other than the above, the minutes were agreed as a true record.

Councillor Larratt discussed that a number of ‘operational’ questions were asked at the last meeting with Network Rail that could not be answered and were referred to London Midland. These questions are outlined below (followed by answers from DW and PT):

a)   What alternative access will be provided if the lift breaks down?

White light crossing to the other platforms is the only option, as happens currently. If this crossing fails, the individual would need to travel to the next station – London Midland would provide a taxi for you.

b)   Will there be ‘assistance points’ in the station and on the platform?

Platforms not changing at all, canopies still same and help points the same.

RS asked what would happen if there are not any staff members around to assist disabled people. DW advised that the Customer Information Point is manned with 2 members of staff from 4:45am -12:15am. Any breakages in staff are covered by management. It would be unlikely that there will not be staff around to assist those who need extra assistance.

c)    Accessibility issues

HS said that he and SW spoke to Network Rail accessible signage at the last forum meeting, who agreed that they would liaise with London Midland to contact NAB to discuss further. HS asked whether London Midland would be contacting NAB. DW advised that she invited SW to a meeting last week, but unfortunately she was unable to make it. London Midland is keen to work with NAB. However, in reference to signage, London Midland has to work to a standard with signs – these do meet standards of 2011. JW said that although the signage meets standards, it is also important to look at the location of signs and incremental changes.

JW felt that it has been disappointing that a meeting was offered last year for NAB to be involved at a very early stage with Network Rail and London midland, and until last week they had not had any contact. NAB would like to work with London Midland to publicise the changes. DW advised that until last meeting with Network Rail, she had not been made aware of any requests to meet and to have input. DW asked that NAB and London Midland make appointment an appointment for a meeting together in order to work together.

MB asked whether there will be signage directing people to bus stops. DW said that this would be dealt with by the project manage who is organising the signage. DW has not personally seen the signage designs yet, however she will follow this up with the relevant staff and will come back with a response.

Wider accessibility issues were also discussed, including whether there will be material available on the opening date about lifts, buttons, and how to access. A further question was asked about the accessibility of the ramp. DW advised that the plan is that there will be a graduated walk way which will be accessible from the front of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

JE explained that this agenda item is regarding the bus services provided around Northampton. Any specific points about the bus station should be directed to NBC – AM will take back for feedback at the next meeting.

The Highways authority’s role in public transport covers the management of the concessionary fare scheme and grant funding along with NBC the door-to-door service. In conjunction with bus services, advertises bus services, timetables, maps, and leaflets. Also maintains the highways across borough and county.

SB advised the forum that Stagecoach have heavily invested in accessible buses, and are trying to improve availability of transport to all community. Last year 61 new buses – 46 of these allocated to Northampton Area. As a consequence of the investment, in Northampton depot at present there is a total of 120 vehicles and 116 of these are wheelchair accessible. For the company as a whole, 97% of buses are wheelchair accessible. They are working hard to replace old buses that are not accessible – well ahead of deadline of Jan 2017. Every mini bus and single deck is wheelchair accessible. The company assist wherever they can, details, large print timetable etc. is all available through customer services department – customer services line available for visually impaired and blind. Particularly in Warwickshire and Rugby, Stagecoach meet with disabled groups to update on investment and timetables etc. Stagecoach works closely in partnership with the local authority. Stagecoach worked closely with NCC, who has responsibility for road side infrastructure, when budget cuts came to minimise impact.

CW raised concerns over bus routes, specifically the Southfields bus (No. 5) and not having a bus service on Sundays. SB advised that Stagecoach are currently looking at putting on an hourly service on Sundays and there is a possibility that this could happen in the year. However, historically Southfields has not been a heavily patronised in past. This may be due to the design of estate, as half of Southfields cannot be served due to design of roads.

BB raised concerns over the issue of push chairs dominating the space on buses. SB advised that if wheelchair space is occupied, have to ask person with pushchair to make room for wheelchair. If this person does not move pushchair, ask again, then contact depot. If this happens on a high frequency bus the wheelchair user would need to catch the next bus. On a low frequency bus, the driver will contact depot, and depot will organise a taxi to take the disabled person to the bus stop that they would have got off at.

EB – issues with Standens Barn bus service, service spit to S16 and S17. When bus gets to Standens Barn there are often great difficulties with getting on the bus if disabled. SB advised that the reason that the reason this change was made is that there is a new housing estate on 17 route.  SB had not had any complaints about over loading on this service. However, if there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

VR gave an explanation about the work of VR and AM to get the forum to be more representative and action focused. Other forums do have main agenda items for discussion but also specific action plans that members are working towards.

LB suggested that in order to increase forum in size, NBC should advertise the forums on the Radio. A lot of disabled people may be listening during the day, good opportunity for wider publicity.

Forum members raised the following issues for actions to be focused on:

1.    SB – sheltered bungalow. 8 week wait for occupational therapy – standard waiting times. Difficulties with different service providers not communicating. VR advised that OT may come under NHFT. ACTION: AM to invite representative from NHFT to give an update.

2.    Engaging with community – possibility of asking someone from the ALMO to link through to the forum. ACTION: AM to look into whether there is anyone who could specifically attend the forum to discuss issues.

3.    AP - Nene Commissioning

MDR went through the request from Vickie Maloney, park ranger, asking for feedback around accessibility of parks, specifically Delapre Park. Attendees were asked to share their thoughts, along with any community information they would like to share.

AP - Delapre events, issues with accessibility – felt that there was no safe access to the pathways. AP felt that Becket’s park is a good example of accessibility. Another issue is that t events, access for wheelchair users is right near the stage, which can be problematic due to the high volume. LB suggested that boards are laid down at events which then make paths accessible for wheelchairs. ACTION: AM to pass this feedback on to the events team.

HS – would like to forward through the request for further information around accessibility of parks to service users, and will forward through in the long term on their viewpoint newsletter.

GS will send detail through via email.

RS raised difficulties with transport.

The annual refresh of the Equality Strategy is now available here: http://www.northampton.gov.uk/downloads/file/4630/equality-strategy-2014-refresh

Community Wellbeing – adult prevention. Simon Favell has expressed an interest to speak to forums about where NBC are at as lead provider on the Adult Prevention bid. Detail of this is yet to be explored. Simon will be able to provide some answers around this. The specification for the tender, which is still live, is available on the NCC website here.

JW asked whether an interpreter would be provided for deaf and hearing impaired people to attend. VR advised that this already happens with other forums and would be arranged for the Disabled People’s Forum if needed. The forum raised that the use of the One Stop Shop as a venue was problematic due to background/surrounding noise from cleaners. AM advised that this was the only room available for this date, but going forward other rooms have been booked.

ACTION: AM to look into a Mobile mic being used at the forum, rather than the individual smaller mics that can be intermittent.

Disabled Facilities Grants. It was agreed that this would be on the agenda for the next meeting. VR provided the forum with some further information, advising that the suggested cut in spending is actually evidence of a backlog being caught up with. It was agreed that a guest would be invited to the next meeting to discuss this as an agenda item.

HS told the forum about the NAB Viewpoint newsletter. HS is happy to get details of the Disabled Peoples forum in this newsletter get forum on this. Any other issues in council, can go onto newsletter, and social media etc. Try to help all with disabilities, as well as visual impairment.

-       Disabled Facilities Grants

-       Simon Favell – Adult Prevention and Community Wellbeing

Tuesday, 23^rd September (5:30-7:30pm)

Tuesday 25^th November (5:30-7:30pm)

Tuesday, 23^rd September, 5:30-7:30pm