Agenda item

An update will be given on actions agreed at the last meeting as follows.

a.   Implementation of the taxi card scheme (Richard Wood)

b.   Poverty Awareness Project (Claire Newhouse)

c.   Disabled parking arrangements in Library Square (Richard Wood)

d.   Representation on Equality Advisory Group from the York Carers Forum (Evie Chandler)

e.   Foot streets review (Richard Wood)

f.     Osbaldwick right of way issue (Chair)

g.   North Yorkshire Police Diversity Unit (Charlie Croft) 

The group was updated on the action that had been taken to address issues raised at the previous meeting:

(i)           Implementation of the taxi card scheme

Officers gave an update on the implementation of the taxi card scheme.  They apologised for the delays that had occurred at the start of the roll-out and explained that 1500 cards had been issued.  Some issues had arisen in respect of driver training and it was proposed that refresher training sessions would be held.

The group suggested that there were wider issues to be addressed in respect of training for taxi drivers and they requested that further consideration be given to this issue at a future meeting¹.

(ii)          Poverty Awareness Project

Claire Newhouse asked for the group’s views regarding proposals for the poverty awareness project.   The proposal was for a Community Co-ordinator from St John’s University to lead a team of student volunteers in arranging two or three events for older people who were feeling isolated in areas of the city including Heworth, Clifton and Guildhall. Costings were currently being drawn-up.  The Group welcomed the proposal that had been put forward and agreed that final approval of the arrangements should be delegated to the Chair.

(iii)        Disabled parking arrangements in Library Square

The group was informed that parking spaces had now been marked out in Blake Street.  The Footstreets Review would include consideration as to how accessible parking arrangements were operating in the area.

(iv)        Representation on Equality Advisory Group from the York Carers Forum

The York Carers Forum had been asked if they would like to be involved in the work of the Equality Advisory Group.  They had welcomed this approach but, because of their caring commitments, had explained that they would find it difficult to attend evening meetings. 

The group suggested that the Carers Centre should also be approached to ascertain if they wished to be represented on the Equality Advisory Group².

Discussion took place regarding the membership of EAG.  Members agreed that it was important that the protected characteristics continued to be represented but were mindful of the need to ensure that the group did not become so large that it was unable to operate effectively.  The Chair informed the group that it was intended that there would be a total refresh of EAG during the year and that further consideration could be given to these issues as part of the process.

(v)         Footstreets Review

A report on the Footstreets Review was due to be considered by the Cabinet Member for City Strategy at a Decision Session on 1 December 2011.  The report was available to view on-line.  Subject to approval by the Cabinet Member, more detailed consultation would take place on this issue.  One of the recommendations was that there would be zero tolerance in respect of A-boards within the city centre.

(vi)        Osbaldwick right of way issue

The Chair informed the group that she had carried out a piece of casework in respect of the Osbaldwick right of way following issues George Wright had raised at the previous meeting.  The information would be forwarded to him.

(vii)       North Yorkshire Police Diversity Unit

In response to questions raised at the previous meeting, representatives from North Yorkshire Police had been invited to attend the meeting to talk about the review of equalities that had taken place and the reasons why there would no longer be a discrete equalities unit.   Details were given of the new arrangements that were being put in place.  It was intended that these would enable equalities issues to be embedded throughout the organisation and not be seen as an “add-on”.  A review of the new arrangements would be carried out.