Agenda item

AM advised that meetings have been changed to 10.30am -12:30pm, in order to allow time for attendees to get to meetings, who use a bus pass after 9:30am

RS raised that he felt there is an issue with transport expenses. He shared that he is facing difficulties due to having a dog that won’t go in taxis and therefore may no longer be able to come. AM advised the issue of expenses is being dealt with directly by management and can be taken up outside the meeting as there is already an existing dialogue with RS on the matter. BM commented that the way NBC pays expenses is very important, and have to be careful that expenses paid are not duplicated. In the case of RS this appears to be an individual issue. LB suggested that the mobility allowance should help cover costs.

CW raised concerns for the Northampton Polio Group as it is relatively small, and asked if there is an opportunity to come together with other groups. CW also questioned which organisations can come to the Forum meetings. Organisations which represent and help the people of Northampton are welcome to attend the Forum.

AM shared that the World Aids Day ceremony will be taking place on 1^st Dec at 12pm in the Guildhall Courtyard.

GW gave an update on the work that Northamptonshire Sport has done:

-          Eleanor Robinson (13 year old Para – Swimmer with Dwarfism) from Northampton recently won the Disabled Sports Achiever & Young Sports Woman of the year awards at the Northampton Leisure Trust awards. This then qualified her for the Northamptonshire Sports Awards at which she won both categories again. This year she has made her debut for Great Britain at which she broke the world record in the 50M Butterfly for her S6 classification.

-          Northamptonshire Sport are currently developing a Special Olympics group in the county which will provide more training & competitive opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

-          Northamptonshire Sport are also working in partnership with Age UK to run  a project called ‘Inspire & include’ which aims to get more older people (55+) with Dementia participating in sport on a regular basis. First years delivery is focussing on Bowls, Boccia & New Age Kurling.

-          Northamptonshire Sport recently ran 2 ‘Autism Awareness In Sport’ courses that were attended by a total of 28 sports coaches. We are now looking to grow links with ‘Autism Concern’ to offer additional support to sports coaches in the county as well as promoting sports opportunities to Autistic people.

-          The first ever visually impaired person participated in Northampton parkrun in October & has continued to do so regularly since. This came about as a result of a ‘Sight Loss & Guide Running’ course ran by Northamptonshire Sport. Hoping for more visually impaired people to participate in the event in the future as well as others with any disability, or sensory impairment.

-          Wheelchair Rugby taster sessions have gone well at Northampton University with 6 new players attending them along with existing players from the Marauders Club who have been providing them. Hoping to develop a club in the new year with support of Northampton Saints.