Agenda item

To receive verbal reports from representatives of the community forum’s involved in the Group’s work.

Members received verbal updates, including reports about the use of Social Inclusion Working Group grants, from members of the community forum’s involved in the Group’s work.

The update from the Older People’s Assembly included details of their 50+ Festival, which was to take place between 27 September and 5 October 2008. This years Festival would include reduced price tickets for Buddy Holly at the Grand Opera House in October, a rag rug display at the Spurriergate Centre, a pre-counselling service, an information fair with 30 stands and the 50+ games. If any member of the Group wished to include an event in the Festival they were requested to contact Sue Lister, the deadline for receipt of information was mid July.

An update was also given of the last Older People’s Assembly meeting when details had been received of a motor scooter knocking down a pedestrian on the footpath. The Police had investigated but reported that no offence had been committed. It was pointed out that motor scooters of this type did not have to be registered or insured. It was understood that Don Parlabean, Chair of the Assembly, was hoping to take this up at national level.

The update from the BME Citizen’s Open Forum included the circulation of a CYC Social Working Group background and progress report for July 2008, which included further details of the YREN Senior Citizen’s Ethnic Elders Social Group.

The update from the LGBT Forum related to their meeting held on 3 July 2008 and to their Summer Newsletter circulated at the meeting. Details were given of the York Pride Picnic, which would be a family event and to which all members of the Group were invited. The Picnic would include live music, community stalls and a dog show. It was reported that the Scarborough LGBT Forum were looking at the possibility of setting up an Older LGBT Conference either at the end of this year or early next. Leeds would probably be the venue to accommodate visitors from all over the country.

It was reported that the Disabled Peoples Forum was still in the process of development. University of York student volunteers were assisting in developing a voice for disabled people in York following the ‘Disabled People Together Day’ on 28 March. Project findings would be reported back in late Autumn 2008. Reference was made to the problems of acoustics in some buildings/venues and the need to ensure that hearing loops or microphones were used to make all meetings etc accessible.

Reference was also made to various transport experiences mainly related to buses not stopping at the kerb to assist the disabled in boarding. Other problems experienced included taxi’s refusing to carry guide dogs and wheelchairs not being adequately secured in vehicles. Officers undertook to look into the matter and report back. Officers also reported that the young people involved with PACT were at present examining the issue of accessible transport. This included buses and taxis and it was confirmed that when the information was available it would be circulated to the Group.

The update from York Interfaith referred to the grant made by the SIWG, which was helping finance booking rooms at Priory Street for their meetings on the first Wednesday of each month and improving access. It was confirmed that their meeting at the Mosque had gone well. A copy of their questionnaire requesting details of the current work and concerns of faith and belief groups in York and their equalities and diversity form, were circulated at the meeting and it was reported that there had been a good return.