The Forum to have a general discussion.

The Chairman informed the Forum that a response had been submitted on behalf of the Forum. Lisa Hughes thanked everyone for their input and individual submissions. Lisa Hughes reported that objections had also been submitted by Mencap, SportsAble, Stroke Club, MS Society, People to Places, Autism Partnership Board and PaCiP. Lisa Hughes was concerned that many issues had been picked up by the Forum and not by the professionals.

Lisa Hughes informed the Forum that pre-application meetings that presumably took place between RBWM and the applicant did not consider or address the access and use of the car park People with Disability (PwD). Plans had been submitted without due regard for the needs of PwD or any communication with relevant organisations such as P2P. Over the past year, the Nicholson Quarter developers had emphasised the community involvement in developing their plans, which in some ways made the car park debacle even worse. Lisa Hughes informed the Forum that Councillor Reynolds had offered to set up a phone call with the developers, Barbara Richardson would discuss with the consultants and developers and Councillor Greg Jones would raise with Lead Members for Planning and the Chairman of the Planning Panel.

Lisa Hughes went through some recent case law which tested whether a local authority complied with its Public Sector Equality Duty when it granted planning permission for a redevelopment. Lisa Hughes asked if there were any EQIAs or other documents which demonstrated RBWM’s compliance with its PESD in relation to the new MSCP, and in granting permission for the redevelopment of the Town Hall Car Park. Lisa Hughes continued that at the December Forum meeting, it had been flagged that there was lack of knowledge of the PESD and wider Equality Duties within Planning, Highways and on the Development Panels. This was another example of who needed to decide what appropriate training was required for officers and councillors so that they could understand and comply with their Equality Duties.

Lisa Hughes continued that many people with disabilities would not be able to park for a number of reasons. This included no blue badge parking on the ground floor, low ceiling height, there was no ShopMobility on the ground floor, there was no drop off point, all ShopMobility and Changing Places was on the second floor, the lifts were not big enough to accommodate wheelchairs and the doors were not wide enough. The ShopMobility and Changing Places were on the second floor.

David Scott informed the Forum that the Managing Director had already put in place a new post for a position to focus on equality, including the training aspect. The advert had already gone out. David Scott informed the Forum that he would be the interim Lead Officer for the Forum until the Equality Officer was in post.

Peter Hayley informed the Forum that People to Places had been operating in Windsor and Maidenhead for over ten years and the number one complaint had always been the car park. It was essential to get the car park right.

Lisa Hughes pointed out that currently all blue badge spaces and ShopMobility were on the ground floor with level access to the High Street and the Nicholsons Centre.

ACTION: Place on next meeting agenda