Alex Warr, Community Development Worker of the Disability Association/ Cymdeithas Anabledd introduced herself and welcomed delegates to the meeting.

Alex gave a summary of the meetings programme. She informed members that workshops were being held to discuss to issues; the membership status for carers and disability-related groups and future meeting arrangements, including the arrangements for the Annual General Meeting. She explained that it was important to reach consensus on the membership status for carers/disability groups, because this was needed to be able to complete the Forum’s draft constitution.

10:40am Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Presentation

Alex gave a presentation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and noted its limitations. She also informed members of the future developments in promoting anti-discrimination, for example the creation of a Disability Rights Commission and the development of a Flintshire County Council Physical, Sensory Impairment Strategy. A full copy of the presentation is available by contacting Alex at the Disability Association Tel/Fax/Minicom: 01244 545375.

11:10am Break/Divide into Workshops

11:20am Member Workshops:

Members divided into four workshops facilitated by Alex Warr, Ian Jones, Wendy Jones and Ann Earlam which would be held over two sessions. Members were therefore asked to discuss the membership status for carer/disability groups and future meeting arrangements.

11:45am Coffee Break/12:00pm Resume Workshops

12:25pm Feedback Session

Alex Warr, Ian Jones, Wendy Jones and David Jones reported back on the issues raised from their workshops.

The feedback demonstrated that there was consensus on a number of points:

The Membership Status for carers and disability-related groups:

Carers:
3 workshops agreed that carers should have associate membership status, on the basis that there were a number of excellent carer support groups in Flintshire, which represented the needs and views of carers. 1 workshop believed that carers should have full membership status.

Disability-related voluntary groups:
All workshops agreed that they should be given associate membership status.

Future meeting arrangements:
All members agreed that the forum would be ready to hold its first Annual General Meeting at the end of June, at the Flint Pavilion. A number of suggestions were made regarding guest speakers and topics which could be discussed; including disability benefits, PSI Strategy, the role of Care & Repair and the Community Transport Association, a speaker from the Carers’ Forum/Crossroads, or a speaker upon the new blue European parking badge for disabled people.

A workshop asked other members to consider the appointment of a Patron of the forum. The workshop suggested that an approach to the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd could be made and also welcomed other suggestions.

A member enquired whether an advocate under 18 would be entitled to full membership of the forum. Alex replied that although membership of the forum was open to over 18’s members would need to consider the position of the advocates of people with disabilities if they were under 18 and consider granting the advocate full membership.

12:50pm Summary: Alex Warr - Disability Association

Alex thanked all the workshop facilitators and scribes for their contribution to the meeting.

She asked members whether they believed a vote should be taken to decide the membership status for carers, which they agreed to. She informed those present that members who had a physical and/or sensory impairment living/working in Flintshire were entitled to vote. Members unanimously agreed that carers should be granted associate membership status.

Alex informed members that there were a number of issues which they needed to consider for the AGM. Although these would be addressed at the next meeting, she asked members to consider them beforehand. She asked members to consider the procedure for receiving nominations at the Annual General Meeting; should nominations be received prior to the AGM or should they also be allowed at the meeting? How many members should serve on the committee? Under charity law, a minimum of three members were required and at present, the constitution allowed a maximum of ten members, including three officers.

She also asked members to consider the creation of a membership scheme. She explained that it was useful to create a membership scheme, which could clearly detail which members were entitled to full membership and consequently a voting card at the AGM.

Alex thanked everyone for attending the meeting and she hoped that many of the delegates would be able to attend the next meeting, which members agreed as the 25th May, 10:30am - 1:00pm at Flint Pavilion.

Members also agreed the date of the Annual General Meeting as Tuesday 29th June.