HALTON ACCESS TO SPORT FORUM

 

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday March 7 2002 at 7pm

Chesnut Lodge School

 

Attendance

 

Erica Brown                           Peter Fawcett                        Sharon Tisdale

Mike Fredson                        Christine Ross                       George Ross

Keith Morley                           Sue Lancaster                       Kieron Shannahan

Margie Shannahan

 

Apologies

 

Neil Goudie                            Lillian Hughes

 

Minutes of the previous meeting

 

Accepted as a true and proper record

 

Matters arising

 

GR and Mf spoke to Dick Tregea, operational director of environmental services.  Dave Tierney asked for report of aims and objectives of the forum.  Raised question of access officer for the Borough.  Concerns that sport may be pushed into second place.  HBC needs a forum to look at all the needs of the disabled – it may become the function of this group.  GR outlined funding and organisational issues to the forum.

 

No further details from NG regarding funding.

 

GR suggested that future meetings be held monthly, on the second Thursday in each month.  This was agreed, alternating between Chesnut Lodge and the Town Hall.  ST will include list of dates to the end of the year with the next minutes.

 

It was decided to discuss the widening of the group and its future direction at the next meeting.

 

Come and Try it Day:  Flyers have been put out to schools – about 2000 in total.  Activities to include boccia, wheelchair basketball, exercise to music, football.  Radio Merseyside to give publicity.  They will visit the Chesnut Lodge BB club on March 13 to interview members.  Social services have been asked to provide support for any adults who come without carers.  KM to ask The Bulldogs for help too – ST to talk to them before their match at the weekend.  ST to ask Kingsway staff to put out cones to aid disabled parking and access.

 

Halton radio starts broadcasting from April 1 for a month and have offered to give the Forum publicity.  Widnes Vikings may be willing to support us too.

 

SL suggested that details of disabled sports to be put on the Borough’s website, so that it can be readily accessed by children.

 

ST reported that there are now 4 coaches qualified for disabled football.  There are courses for generic disability coaching on March 23 and 25.  SL asked for details for a parent who helps at the Chesnut Lodge Phab club.  ‘Exercise to Music’ has begun at MENCAP, Laburnum Grove and is proving very popular.

 

ST gave details of the bid to the Active Communities Development Fund.  Barnado’s won their bid to the Children’s Fund to provide recreational sport in Halton.

 

ST is keen to link with the local Phab clubs and has contacted Bill Thompson.  She will visit chestnut Lodge and discuss a programme of events.

 

It was reported that the hand cycles in Cheshire may be available to Halton.  ST will contact Andy Brittles.

 

Publicity about the Forum will be handed out at the Come and Try it Day, with details of the next meeting, contact numbers etc.  Cllr. Harris has promised secretarial funds. 

 

EB was duly elected as treasurer, with SL as another signatory.  Mandate forms were completed.  The need for elections and possible changes to the constitution were noted.

 

Brookvale changing rooms

 

Alterations to Brookvale changing rooms are underway.  Once completed, a regular family swimming session will begin.

 

Football at Ashley

 

It is not feasible for this to go ahead at a weekend.

 

Next meeting

 

Thursday April 11, 7pm at the Town Hall

 

Agenda

 

Report on Come and Try it Day

Funding issues

A forward strategy

 

 

 

 

The meeting closed at 8:45pm