Agenda item

This item presents an opportunity for community representatives on the Equality Advisory Group to raise equality and inclusion matters about council policy and services as they affect them and the groups they represent.

The Chair welcomed new members to the group. Introductions were carried out.

Community representatives were given an opportunity to raise equality and inclusion matters about council policy and services as they affected them and the groups they represented.  The following issues were raised:

(i)         Green Badge Scheme

Sue Lister, on behalf of the York Older People’s Assembly, raised concerns regarding the difficulties that a member of the public had faced when trying to obtain a green badge permit.  Members of the group agreed that there was a lack of clarity as to the areas covered by the green badges, how they differed to the blue badge permits, and as to whether they had to be renewed on an annual basis. 

Resolved:(i) That further information on this issue be provided

                                    at the next meeting¹.

(ii)            Pedestrian Safety on Beckfield Lane

Sue Lister, on behalf of York Older People’s Assembly, raised the issue of pedestrian safety on Beckfield Lane.  Concerns had been expressed as to whether an Equality Impact Assessment had been completed which considered the needs of vulnerable pedestrians in the context of encouraging cycling on pavements.   Members of the group stated that pedestrian safety was an issue in many areas of the city.  Shared space could be very difficult for pedestrians, particularly for children, people with mobility problems or those with hearing or sight difficulties. 

Resolved:(ii) That officers from Cycling City be requested to

attend the next meeting to give further information on this issue.²

(iii)      York Older People’s Assembly Questionnaire

The Group was informed that 105 questionnaires had been completed at the 50+ Festival.  It was hoped that the information they contained would be very useful to the council.  Thanks were expressed to Claire Newhouse for the advice she had offered in respect of processing the data.

(iv)      Homecare

Lynn Jeffries drew the group’s attention to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Inquiry into Homecare.  It was suggested that the Equality Advisory Group may wish to contribute to the inquiry.

Resolved:(iii) That details of the inquiry into homecare be

                                    forwarded to the group³.

(v)       Good Neighbour Guide

Claire Newhouse gave details of the work that Higher York’s students’ forum was carrying out to prepare a “Good Neighbour Guide”.  Ideas for items for inclusion in the guide were welcome.

(vi)      Valuing People Partnership

Maureen Ryan gave details of issues that had been raised by the Valuing People Partnership including:

·                    Respite care

·                    Leisure – how people with disabilities spend their time.

It was hoped that a survey could be carried out which would assist integrated working as well as highlighting any omissions in provision. 

It was noted that at the launch of the York Independent Living Network, the issue of respite care had also been raised and hence there might be the opportunity for the two organisations to work together on this.  It was suggested that the personalisation agenda would link to the issue of leisure.

(vii)      YREN Representation on the Equality Advisory Group

Rita Sanderson reported that, at their next meeting, YREN would be nominating their two representatives to serve on the Equality Advisory Group for the next year.  In view of the Equalities Act the group would not be specifying that there should be one male representative and one female representative.  YREN’s feedback report on its involvement with the Equality Advisory Group would be made available. The feedback would acknowledge that there had been some very positive changes in the development of the EAG.

(viii)            Sharing of Information

Rita Sanderson drew the group’s attention to work that the City of York Council’s Early Intervention Manager was carrying out to obtain information about child poverty in the city.  YREN would be contributing to the information and encouraged other groups to do the same as the sharing of information prevented duplication of work. 

(ix)       York Independent Living Network

Lynn Jeffries informed the group that there had been very positive feedback following the launch of the York Independent Living Network (YILN).  The key issues for members of the network were around personalisation. 

Members of the group stated that they hoped that the council would engage in honest and open dialogue with community groups with regard to the personalisation agenda.

(x)            Accessible Buildings

Lynn Jeffries, on behalf of YILN, expressed concern that a number of council buildings were not accessible, including the equipment centre.  It was also a cause of concern that guidance was not always followed in terms of the decorating of council buildings and signage. 

Resolved:(iv) That an item on “planning, access and design” be

                                    included on the agenda for a future meeting.⁴

(xi)            International Shared Meal

The Group were invited to look at the display boards illustrating the recent international shared meal.  This had been a very successful event.

(xii)            Forthcoming Events

The EIA Fair would take place on 30 November 2010.  The programme for the day would be circulated to members of the group and via the York CVS.⁵ 

Representatives of community groups gave details of forthcoming events to which members of the EAG were invited to attend.