A welcome from the Chairman and introductions of all present.

Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed all to the Forum

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for Absence

None

To agree the minutes of the last Forum held on 12 June 2023 as a true and accurate record.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting on Monday 12 June be a true and accurate record.

Domonic Manley noted that the style of the minutes from the previous meeting had changed, the Chair concurred.

The Chair requested that for minutes were draft more fully to reflect the full discussion and the Forum agreed. 

To receive information from Rosanna Sansom, Volunteer and Community Development Officer on the outcomes of the Tackling Isolation and Loneliness Project.

Rosanna Sansom, Volunteer and Community development officer attended the meeting on behalf of Jennifer Hardy, updated the Forum on the Tackling Isolation and Loneliness Project.

Rosanna Sansom emphasised to the Forum that loneliness was subjective, that there was no universal definition for loneliness.

 Rosanna Sansom stated that the project aimed to fully support all residents throughout the borough.

Rosanna Sansom stated that there were outstanding issues within the Royal Borough, about how loneliness can be worded in a way that properly reflects all the needs of the residents. Suggested to the forum that this was something that needed addressing.

Rosanna Sansom moved on to the costs that isolation and loneliness inflicted onto the residents of the borough, highlighted that loneliness triggers bereavement and can lead to job loss.

Rosanna Sansom raised to the Forum that the Council had no data collection methods on how many of the residents were potentially experiencing loneliness and isolation. This lack of data was potentially caused by the difficult stigma surrounding how people discuss loneliness.

Rosanna Sansom suggested to the Forum that this could be offset by working with local NHS trusts and local schools. The project itself had surveyed 1,740 residents; asking if residents felt isolated or not. She reported that of the residents surveyed, 28% felt isolated and/or lonely. This highlighted the increased strain on public services; a varied adaptable response was needed to help.

 The Project highlights how people of all ages can feel isolation or loneliness, Rosanna Sansom encouraged the Forum to look beyond stereotypes.

 Chair agreed that greater coordination was needed and of the need to look beyond stereotypes.

In response to the Chair’s query as to whether leafletting residents could be a solution, Rosanna Sansom was unsure due to the associated costs and highlighted other services and the need for communication with residents. Councillor Helen Price suggested using 'Around the Borough' publication.

Dominic Manley asked about how the Tackling Isolation and Loneliness Project was engaging people with disabilities.

 Rosanna Sansom concurred with Dominic Manley, highlighting the link between people with disabilities and potential isolation. Highlighted need for forum to examine more closely. Chair agreed with Dominic Manley, asked about the support for people with disabilities. Rosanna Sansom in response to the chair, underlined resources that could be accessed online.

Sharon Carrigan raised to the forum, the ongoing issues of the effects of the Covid-19 Lockdown.

Rosanna Sansom stated that studies were ongoing into the effects of lockdown on residents’ wellbeing. Highlighted the importance of community partners.

Chair asked for more comments highlighted the importance of continued discussion.

Chair adjourned meeting due to technical issues.

To receive information from Ellen McManus-Fry, Equalities and Community Engagement Officer on the new RBWM Engagement Framework being developed.

Ellen McManus-Fry the Equalities and Community Engagement Officer, presented to the forum a presentation on the RBWM Engagement Framework.

Aim of the Engagement Framework.

1.         Improve confidence and skills in engagement/consultation across the council.

2.         Greater coordination of resources and activities across the council.

3.         Better, more efficient use of internal resources and insights.

 Ellen McManus-Fry stated that the aim of the framework was to maximise the use of resources across the council and its services. Also, to improve coordination across the council between different teams.

How has the Framework been developed?

1.         Lead by Equalities and Engagement officer in collaboration with Jesal Dhokia (Transformation and Communities), David Wiles (Communication) and Becky Hatch.

2.         Additional input from other colleagues in the Engagement Officer group meetings and from Cllr Moriarty, Consultation Champion, Consultation Champion.

3.         Other resources including Local Government Association engagement guide, ‘New Conversations 2.0’; Kirklees Council ‘Involve’ toolkits.

Ellen McManus-Fry said that the framework was aimed at standardising between different departments in the council, but to also help produce better quality work across the council.

Engagement Framework

1.         Covers basic concepts, principles of good engagement and examples of best practise, including RBWM case studies.

2.         Engagement Toolkit

1.         Step by Step guide through designing and undertaking engagement activity.

2.         Intended to be used for range of contexts and engagement purposes.

3.         Uses questions as prompts, not prescriptive.

Ellen McManus-Fry case study used from previous engagement activity so that the council can learn from previous experience how to better engage with its residents. The framework is designed to allow people to think more creatively about how to engage with residents, while also providing a step-by-step guide. Framework is intended to be as flexible as possible for different departments across the council.

Consultation Guidance

1.         To Improve consistency of public consultations

2.         To ensure that public consultations are only done when they are most appropriate form of engagement.

3.         Standardize the demographic questions used in surveys.

4.         Strengthen the guidance and advice around analysing and publicly reporting on consultation feedback.

Ellen McManus-Fry stated that the consultation guidance was primarily for assessing when public consultations where appropriate, as well as to further standardise the consultations.

Ellen McManus-Fry further stated that public consultation will take place in the first week of October, centred around the council’s corporate plan. To properly access where residents’ priorities are in relation to the plan.

Chair approved of the engagement framework, felt it added value and weight to the public consultations.

Sharon Carrigan emphasised co-production as the most important part of the engagement framework, Ellen McManus-Fry concurred while emphasising engagement with community.

Peter Haley questioned whether there would be external validation over the framework. Ellen McManus-Fry said process were in place internally to help with oversite. Peter Haley disagreed, worrying about the lack of external oversight.

Councillor Price welcomed the framework, wondered if funding could become available from an outside body. That residents do not suggest the funds are used for unrealistic plans. Ellen McManus-Fry agreed, assured Price  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To receive feedback from Lisa Hughes, Vice-Chair from the 2023 Parallel Windsor event held on Sunday 2 July 2023.

Vice Chair Lisa Hughes presented feedback to the forum on the Parallel Windsor event which took place on the 2nd of July in Windsor Great Park. An impact report will be produced later but was not ready at the time, to present to the forum.

The form the parallel Windsor took was various forms of physical activity, including 100 meters up to 10 kilometres. The event also has other leisure activities, giving a variety to participants. Many of the events participants did not live in Berkshire, coming outside of the Royal Borough.

Video About Parallel Windsor

Vice Chair Lisa Hughes pointed out that parallel Windsor was not the right event to promote employment opportunities for disabled residents in the borough.

Vice Chair Lisa Hughes pointed out that Parallel would like more local people, especially from local schools. Vice Chair Lisa Hughes pointed out a need for easier access to the event.

Chair thanked Lisa Hughes, asked Sharon Carrigan if details were sent to her school. Carrigan explained that there was a clash, with another event so pupils were unable to attend.

Councillor Helen Price also expressed disappointment in not being able to attend, she highlighted that it clashed with other local events. Councillor Helen Price hoped this could be avoided in future with advertising Parallel Windsor in the newsletter. 

Councillor Catherine Del Campo highlighted that the event was for the whole community, not just those with disabilities. Councillor Catherine Del Campo asked what participation was like from the non-disabled community. Vice Chair Lisa Hughes had no data on the percentages of disabled people to non-disabled people.

Dominic Manley asked about the number of charity partners at the event. Vice chair Lisa Hughes stated that there were 34 charity partners at the event.

Peter Haley praised the event, highlighting its inclusivity and potential to bind the community together. Peter Haley recommended the event as a day out, stating he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Victoria Holt concurred stating that the event was hugely positive and would thoroughly recommend it to anybody.

To receive updates and timescale information, if available, on the Broadway car park and the redevelopment of the Nicholsons Centre.

The Chair asked for an update on the Nicholson centre and the Broadway car park.

Ellen McManus-Fry stated that conversations regarding the Nicholson centre and the car park were ongoing, and that she did not have any specific updates forum. A tender for the demolition of the car park had been issued in July, process for the tender is ongoing with no updated timescale.

The Chair expressed disappointment, emphasising a quick resolution was needed to the issue of the car park.

Peter Haley stated that he would be sending out a survey to shop mobility residents, for the primary purpose to see if they had a preference of location for parking.

Councillor Del Campo stated that there was a preferred location in mind, but a few obstacles needed to be cleared. She stated that she understood the urgency of this issue and was working to clear as fast as possible.

Vice Chair Lisa Hughes expressed disappointment in the poor parking in Maidenhead for disabled residents. She highlighted how in 2018 there were 96 space spaces for disabled residents and how that had decreased to 34 in 2023. Expressed frustration over the lack of a temporary solution.

Dominic Manley concurred with vice chair Hughes; he expressed doubt that a permanent car park would be ready by the year 2030.

Councillor Del Campo thanked Dominic Manley and Lisa Hughes for the feedback, stating that it would be taken back to cabinet. Apologised for the lack pf progress made.

Councillor Price asked whether an update will be delivered, Councillor Del Campo responded that any information will be delivered by the end of the month.

Peter Haley similarly expressed disappointment, he felt that better communication would alleviate some of the issues around the car park, also that a better understanding of the issues needed to be made public.

The Chair again expressed disappointment in the lack of progress, saying that the forum felt similarly.

To discuss issues relating to non-mainstream housing provision, such as respite accommodation, transition into supported living.

Vice chair Lisa Hughes stated that in line with the housing strategy of 2021 to 2026, new homes were being built with adult social care particularly in mind.

Vice chair Lisa Hughes expressed that there needs to be, better research into local needs for housing for adult social care.

Vice Chair Lisa Hughes stated that that was there was a lack of information from achieving for children in this regard.

The Vice-Chair Lisa Hughes highlighted some excerpts from RBWM Housing Strategy 2021-26

“We will… assess the need for supported accommodation, including Extra Care, and review our supported accommodation provision to ensure we are able to offer accommodation to support better health and wellbeing outcomes”

“We commit to carrying out the following actions…

•           To fully assess the housing need within the District, using a variety of data streams, to ensure we have robust plans in place to generate appropriate housing pathways

•           Review the current provision and need for sheltered accommodation, taking into consideration the wider social housing requirement and need for Extra Care accommodation”

The Vice-Chair Lisa Hughes informed the forum that she had sought information about the provision of respite, supported living and extracare accommodation in the Borough and had found the following information about adult provision on Optalis’ website

Respite            Allenby Rd                  4 places for adults with learning disabilities or autism

Supported       Winston Rd                 8 places for adults with learning disabilities or autism

                        Homeside Rd              8 places for adults with learning disabilities or autism

Extracare         Lady Elizabeth House             29 self-contained units for adults

Victoria Holt informed the forum that there is more supported accommodation in the borough than that described by the vice-chair. She offered to provide an update on supported accommodation to the forum   (Action VH to provide a full list of supported accommodation for adults in the borough)

The vice-chair advised that she was unable to find information about supported accommodation for children on the Achieving for Children website

She confirmed that the questions that will be asked of Lynn Lidster include

•           What is the housing need now and what are the projections for the next ten years?

•           What is the current provision and what is in the pipeline?

•           What are the plans to meet the need?

•           What information and guidance about respite, supported living and extracare accommodation is available for residents?

•           What information and guidance is there for local homeowners, tenants and landlords about Disabled Facilities Grants?

The Chair stated that the December meeting would have a greater focus on this area. The vice-chair explained non-mainstream housing included respite care, supported living and extracare accommodation. The item will be on the DIF December 2023 agenda when it will be presented by Lynn Lidster but, to enable all forum members to contribute any comments or questions, was being introduced at the September 23 meeting.

·       Representatives from Community Safety Team to attend Forum’s December meeting to discuss raising awareness of scams and advice on how to tackle them

·       Lynne Lidster, Director of Commissioning – People at Optalis to attend Forum’s December meeting to provide information on non-mainstream housing provision, such as respite accommodation, transition into supported living – what are the options and how is it funded

Councillor Price expressed a need for papers in advance of the December meeting, stating that she often felt at a disadvantage when she did not have papers.

The Chair agreed, stating that papers in advance would be a great help. Chair expressed disappointment in the lack of attendance of officers at the forum in recent months.

Dominic Manley asked about viewing statistics on YouTube for the forum.

Kirsty Hunt service lead for electoral and democratic services stated that she did not have the statistics on her at the present time, she said she would be happy to provide the forum with these statistics.

 Kirsty Hunt also stated that she would be handing over the forum, to Democratic Services Officer Will Ward.

Rosanna Sansom asked to be included on the agenda in six months’ time to report.

Date of next Disability and Inclusion Forum 4th December 2023.