Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

The Chair invited Members to declare at this point any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda, in addition to the standing declarations below:

Cllr Scott – as Young People’s Champion

Cllr Livesley – as Deputy Older People’s Champion

No further interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 September 2006. An “easy read” version of these minutes is also attached for Members’ consideration.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Social Inclusion Working Group held on 20 September 2006 be signed as a correct record and the “easy read” version be noted subject to the deletion of the words “which specifically cater for the needs of people with learning difficulties and their carers” from the third paragraph of Minute 9 (Provision of Adult Changing Places) in both sets of Minutes.

Arising out of discussion it was confirmed that co-opted Members were able to appoint a substitute to attend the meeting in their place, if required.

Officers stated that, if Members were happy, they would photograph the new co-optees at the January meeting for the inclusion of their pictures in the “easy read” version of the minutes.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Group’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Tuesday 21 November at 10.00am.

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

To receive a presentation from Lynn Jefferies on the methodology and results of the feasibility study on a Centre for Independent Living for York. A copy of the report entitled ‘From Client to Citizen: A CIL for York? is attached for members information.

Members had received a presentation from Lynn Jeffries on the feasibility of a Centre for Independent Living for York (CIL), during the informal discussion prior to the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report prepared for the Social Inclusion Working Group by the Centre for Independent Living Steering Group, written by Alison Cowen and Lynn Jeffries, which provided more information on the following:

• What a Centre for Independent living was
• The law in relation to CIL’s
• Findings from a consultation event
• Organisation of a CIL in York together with recommendations.

Alison Cowen confirmed that from earlier informal discussion there appeared to be positive support for the setting up of a CIL for York. It was now important that a steering group was set up which involved disabled people and family members who attended the proposed consultation events to progress the work and for an audit of current services and payments to be undertaken.

Officers confirmed that it was important that the Council (Social Services) were involved with the steering group and that it would be useful if this could be added into the feasibility document.

In answer to questions regarding funding, Lynn Jeffries confirmed that it was hoped that, following the audit of services already available in York, a crossover of services would be identified which could lead to monies being utilised for funding.

Members confirmed that this was still a draft report and that for a fully informed discussion Members would require sight of the full report. It was confirmed that Officers would also need to prepare a report with recommendations on how the SIWG could support progress of the scheme.

RESOLVED:            i) That the presentation and feasibility study for a Centre for Independent Living in York be welcomed and noted.

ii)                  That further consideration of the feasibility report be deferred pending an Officer report outlining options to take forward the setting up of a CIL in York with partner organisations to include how the Council can meet its obligations for a user led organisation in the area by 2010.

REASON:                              To update Members on the feasibility of setting up a Centre for Independent Living in York.

To consider options for effectively involving young people in the Social Inclusion Working Group.

Members considered a report which explored options for effectively involving young people in the Social Inclusion Working Group.

Officers reported feedback from the sub group’s discussion at the earlier informal meeting:

Group 1

·       That there was no correct solution but the appointment of young people representatives through a Social Inclusion Youth Forum or from the Youth Council to attend SIWG meetings would be a suitable option.

Group 2

·       Options B and D were of the greatest interest to this Group

·       Other points raised included that it would not be possible for young people under 18 years to have voting rights on the Group if Council agreed voting rights for co-opted members in the future

·       How to use the role of the Young People’s Champion which had not be included in the report.

In answer to questions regarding the use of a web based forum for young people Officers confirmed that this had been examined by the Young Peoples Working Group. It had been found that there were problems with resources and concerns had been raised regarding inappropriate activity on the site.

Certain Members raised concerns regarding accountability as the recommendation proposed that Officers from the Youth Service would interpret information received from young people. It was questioned whether the Group wanted the views of young people fed into the Group or the appointment of 2 representatives.

Members expressed the view that it was important to have young people representation on the Group and that this should be done quickly. It was also felt important to hear the views of young people who had had direct involvement in topics that would be discussed at future meetings together with input from other Forums that linked up with young people.

Consideration was also given to the need for wider engagement with young peoples groups and the possibility of using the Groups budget to assist with this.

The options considered were

A             Officers from the Youth Service to attend the meetings to advocate on behalf of young people. Their role would only be to articulate the views of young people as have already been expressed through consultation and involvement activity, as recorded on the consultation database.

B         Include issues that are important to young people are placed on the forward plan and with the advice and support of the Youth Service relevant young people are invited to attend those particular meetings.

C         Hold a once-yearly social inclusion event for young people – a Social Inclusion Youth Forum. This could ascertain the views of young people on a number of social inclusion and equality issues and may lead to the identification of two younger people interested in attending the SIWG on a regular basis. Representation on this would be drawn from within the BME forum and Disabled People’s Forum as well as other appropriate groups across the City.

D         The relevant Community Forums involved in the SIWG work to better involve young people in their activities and by so doing identify a young person who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To consider applications received from two community forums that send representatives to the Social Inclusion Working Group for financial support to improve the effectiveness of their community’s involvement in the work of the SIWG.

Members considered a report, which detailed applications, received from two community forums for financial support to improve the effectiveness of their community’s involvement in the work of the Social Inclusion Working Group.

The applications for financial support had been received from the following

Officers confirmed that both applications met the criteria established by the Group in July for receipt of financial support.

Officers indicated that if approved this would leave approximately £3000 in the budget to be allocated at the January meeting otherwise it would be lost and he asked for any applications to be submitted prior to Christmas for consideration at the January meeting.

Members referred to the application from the Older People’s Assembly and their indication that their newsletter and website would include reports of discussion at the SIWG. Confirmation was received from the LGBT representative that they would also undertake to include this information on their website.

RESOLVED:    i) That the funding application made by the Older People’s    Assembly in the sum of £1,130 be met in full.

REASON:                 The funding application meets the criteria established by the SIWG and the budget to support this work for 2006/7 has sufficient resources to meet this expenditure.

ii)            That the funding application made by the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Forum in the sum of £1,750 be met in full.

REASON:                 The funding application meets the criteria established by the SIWG and the budget to support this work for 2006/7 has sufficient resources to meet this expenditure.

To receive a verbal report from Lynn Jeffries from the Disabled People’s Forum, one of the community forums involved in the Group’s work. An easy read copy of the report is attached.

Members received a report from Lynn Jeffries from the Disabled People’s Forum, one of the community forums involved in the Group’s work. An “easy read” version of the report had been attached to the agenda for Members information. Lynn confirmed that the Disabled People’s Forum had now been appointed and that their first meeting was scheduled for early December. She stated that this would be her last meeting of the Group, as the Forum would be putting forward representatives to attend future meetings.

Members also received a verbal report from Sue Lister representing the Older People’s Assembly who reported that the Assembly followed a government initiative “Better Government for Older People”. This had set up 28 pilot projects of which York was one to enable older people at grass roots level a direct channel of communication to government. She also reported on their recent work which involved Information Fairs as part of the distribution of transport tokens and bus passes event at the Guildhall and the York 50+ Festival. 

Members thanked Group representatives for their feedback and attendance at the meeting and in particular to Lynn for her involvement in the setting up of the Disabled People’s Forum.

To agree items for future meetings of the Group.

Members collated ideas for business for future meetings.

RESOLVED:                        That the Social Inclusion Working Group.

i)                   Consider the new legislation and the new council policies and procedures in relation to the age of the existing staff profile.

ii)                 Receive input from the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Forum (LGBT) on the most appropriate ways of collecting data about sexuality.

iii)               Undertake training on the social barriers to disabilities to better inform Group members.

iv)    Give consideration at the next meeting of ways of using the Groups budget to engage young people and in assisting them to feed their views into the work of the Group.

REASON:                 To focus the future work of the Social Inclusion Working Group.