Cllr Tim Hadland began the meeting by informing the Forum that this is the only forum that he was directly entitled to attend himself.


Cllr Hadland then began to talk of 'The Mayors Charity' which each year the incoming Mayor chooses to support throughout their term of office. Cllr Hadland said: "I am keen to acknowledge and promote the work of carers during my year in office. I was advised that help is required to ensure that young, often very young, carers have a chance to enjoy their childhood. I am setting up a fund for the Northampton Young Carers, to be administered by The Northamptonshire carers Association and The Princess Royal Trust.



"Its aim will be to provide the funds to enable young carers, who have responsibility for the care of another person, to have some time away from caring, indulging in the interests and pursuits that most youngsters take for granted and to have some fun. here are two cases, which illustrate the problems faced by young carers:-


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His Worship the Mayor of Northampton Councillor Tim Hadland


"Sarah (8) and Chloe (6) are the only people able to communicate with their 12-year-old brother, who is severely autistic. This has made them particularly sensitive to the strains of living with such a responsibility, and they need space and time to have their own fun.


Helen (15) has a mother with physical disabilities and a stepfather with a history of alcohol abuse and mobility problems. She has missed school for a long time to help with their care. She feels isolated, and is finding it difficult to think of getting back to school, as she has lost contact with her friends. She needs encouragement to get out and about. Please help to make the lives of these and many other youngsters in Northampton closer to the lives that most of us take for granted."


If you wish to contribute, please make cheques payable to: The Mayor's Charity, and send them to: Mrs J. Ball, The Mayoralty Officer, The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton NN1 1DE


We would ask that you mention that you first heard about the Mayor's charity via the Northampton St Crispin Political News Service



Mel Read took time out of what is a very heavy schedule to visit the Forum and address the members present. Mel's address to the forum was fantastic and certainly the highlight of the evening although I have only been able to give a very brief outline here. I have since spoken to many of the persons present who had nothing but praise for her (including myself!).



Mel Read represents about 4.5 million people in the her East Midlands Constituency. Mel was keen to explain exactly what she was and was not able to do as a M.E.P as a large amount of her mailbag were letters from constituents thinking that she is a substitute for local authorities, which obviously is not within her remit as a M.E.P.



Mel commended the Northampton Borough Council for arranging the Forum's and for the support the local borough council has offered to them, and for their taking into account the reports the Executive receive back from the Forums as well as their achievements during their seven years of operation.



Mel Read went on to explain that she is very involved in disability issues within the European Parliament (EP) such as the Charter for Fundamental Rights (CFR). One of the main concerns of the CFR is disability and the problems that the disabled face on a daily basis i.e. direct & indirect discrimination in the job market.



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Mel Read M.E.P



To visit Mel's website please click on her photograph above
Mel Read is also a member of the Disability Intergroup which consists of 40 MEP's out of the 600 that meet every month. Other issues that Mel is concerned about at present is access the disabled or lack of access on airlines. By far the worst airlines are the low budget which fall nothing short of a disgrace and, if you require extra help and/or support they make you pay a small fortune. Mel said "that ALL airlines should have an obligation to provide full access to all aircraft."



Marie Thubron (Co-Chair of the Northampton Disabled Person's Forum) went to Strasburg and met with Mel Read recently and organised this visit. Mel was meant to come to an earlier Forum meeting but, as she was in Washington D.C on the 9/11 she was unable to get back from America in time for the meeting.



Mel explained that universal access to telephones within the EU is a big issue at present and that she, amongst others is very active in trying to get the telecommunications industry to address these issues faced by the disabled. One example that Mel gave to the Forum was the simple (to most at least) action of calling directory enquiries.


Mel said "For most of us this is not a problem but what if you are hard of hearing? You can't ask the operator to speak up as the service is automated. Video telephones would allow deaf people complete access to the network as they would be able to lip read the callers words.


But problems at present occur when there is a household where everyone is not deaf. The argument is that the person(s) who are not deaf can answer the telephone."


Now I (Webby) personally would argue that this is selective discrimination, as that one hearing person is obviously not going to be around 24/7, so what is the deaf person to do then? Mel said "That there is a great deal of work to be done in this area over the coming months/years."



To find out about issues such as this and the Machinery Equipment Initiative along with much of Mel's other work, please visit her website.



Cllr Keith Davies, Leader of the Northampton Borough Council began by stating that he was always glad to visit the Forums, which are organised and run by the Borough Council. He said that he was always keen to hear what concerns the disabled have, how disabled people are being treated in Northampton and to see how the borough council is able to help resolve problems brought to its attention by the Forum.



Cllr Davies said: "The Disabled Peoples Forum, previously the Disability Working Group, will celebrate it's seventh birthday during 2002. During this time the Forum has had many achievements. The work of the Forum has been driven to improve the levels of access for people with disabilities in all areas of life. The Forum is made up of people who have a particular interest in the progress being made as they are themselves disabled people living and working within Northampton."



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Councillor Keith Davis Leader - Northampton Borough Council


Cllr Davies continued: "The specific aims of the Forum can be summarised as being to:-


- Encourage and maintain effective communication between the Borough Council and disabled people living and working in Northampton


- Monitor the effectiveness of Borough Council policies and practices


- Assist equality of access by disabled people to services, benefits and employment related opportunities provided by the Borough Council


- Provide a forum for disabled people to express their needs and views directly to the Borough Council


- Provide a forum for the Borough Council to consult disabled people directly on policies and service delivery issues.


Cllr Davies concluded by saying: "During the last seven years issues that have been tackled include:


Access to shops


Rate Relief for disabled residents


Parking and orange/blue badge provision


Access to public transport


Pedestrian Dropped Curbs


Wheelchair Services and Provision


Housing for the disabled


Disability awareness training


Northampton Access Guide


Health improvement programme


Crime and disorder


Street furniture


Lifts at Northampton's Castle Station


Access for private hire vehicles


Recently confirmed: Membership of British Council of Disabled People"