Apologies of Absence were received from Tim Clare, Robin Pemberton, Greg Nelson and Vernon Nosal.

The Chairman welcomes all to the Forum.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Liz Kelsall and Helen Gregory-Osbourne for joining the Forum.

The Chairman welcomed Dean Yorke to the Forum.

The Chairman advised the Forum that both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman would both be attending the Borough Local Plan Public Enquiry on 26 June 2018.

The Vice Chairman informed the Forum that they had conducted a survey of blue badge users of where they parked in the borough. This would be presented later in the Forum.

To agree the minutes of the last Forum.

The minutes of the last forum on Monday 19 March 2018  were Unanimously Agreed by the Forum.

4.1 Experience of the Royal Wedding for people with disabilities.

Experience of the Royal Wedding for people with disabilities. Andy Scott updated the Forum on the experience that people with disabilities had at the recent Royal Wedding. The access was limited and many roads were closed but additional transport was put on. There were no real complaints. There were some initial teething issues but these were resolved. There were three sites along the long walk, where there was access for people with disabilities.

The Chairman read out comments from Forum member Tim Clare who had attended the day in one of the public wheelchair areas along the Long Walk. His comments along with other members who attended include the following :

·         Getting to the Long Walk - all pavements were very busy and the roads were closed and therefore, were clear. It was very difficult for wheelchair users to use the pavements. Maybe the roads could have been used.

·         Many people were in the disabled viewing area - this maybe, should have been policed better.

·         From the disable viewing area, you could not see the screen or hear the service.

·         The toilets were very far from the disabled viewing area.

·         It was difficult for children in wheelchairs to access the disabled viewing area’s and then if there, they could not see the screen.

Andy Scott informed the Forum that this was an unusually large event, the first in Windsor and many lessons has been learnt for next time.

4.2 Update on the Windsor Guildhall access audit and Public meetings at the Guildhall.

Elaine Browne updated the Forum on the Windsor Guildhall access audit and the future of public meetings at the Guildhall. The points that Elaine Browne highlighted were as follows:

·         The process to make alterations to the Guildhall in Windsor was very long.

·         It was difficult getting planning permission.

·         York House in Windsor was currently undergoing refurbishment.

·         Alternate venues with suitable access were being investigated for meetings.

The Vice Chairman pointed out that there were many examples of planning permission being granted for listed buildings to improve their accessibility for users with disabilities. It was a good opportunity to look for venues that can provide a hearing loop as well as level access for people with limited mobility.  The inaccessibility of the Guildhall is preventing people from attending or participating in council and private meetings, events and functions. This may be an important factor in the Guildhall’s reported declining usage by hirers. The Vice Chairman expressed disappointment  that the Council had not made any progress in identifying alternative venues that would enable people with disabilities to access and hear public meetings.

The Forum were informed that residents, or others, who would be speaking at a public meeting were being asked if they had any accessibility requirements. The Forum felt that residents with disabilities should be able to attend public meetings/events without having to check or tell someone that they were attending.

Liz Kelsall suggested using a school in Windsor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

5.1       Using Direct Payments to employ a PA         Vernon Nosal

5.1       Using Direct Payments to employ a PA

Vernon Modal had sent apologies for the Forum but had sent through plenty of information for the Forum members. The Chairman requested that Vernon Nosal give an update at the next meeting.

Liz Kelsall informed the Forum that on asking parents since the last meeting, the majority were using Enable Payroll for direct payments to PA.

ACTION: Invite Vernon Nosal to the next meeting.

Forum to note the dates of future meetings:

Monday 10 September 2018

Monday 26 November 2018

Monday 25 March 2019

Panel Members noted the dates of future meetings.