Agenda item

L. Ambrose confirmed that there was an internet access guide called DisabledGo which empowered disabled people to judge for themselves which venues were suitable for their own individual needs.  N. Homayoun said that he felt that there should be an access guide for Northampton. 

Councillor Varnsverry and L. Ambrose advised that they had been in contact with DisabledGo about the feasibility of adding Northampton to the website.

T. Welsh confirmed that Northampton University was on DisabledGo and would provide an update on progress.  It was hoped that NBC and Northampton University could work together on this matter.  He also suggested that companies in the area may be interested in participating and confirmed that Diane Walker ran an independent consultancy on disabled access. 

B.Barber confirmed that there was a guide book for disabled people called Gowring Book Guide which provided information on facilities on different places around the county.  They could be obtained from Julie Ramsey at Smooth Ride Guides, Duck Street Barn, Duck Street, Furneux Pelham, Herts, SG9 0LA or on the website www.smoothrideguide.com.  The guides were priced at £14.95. 

RESOLVED:  Councillor P Varnsverry and L. Ambrose to liaise with T. Welsh about possibly working together on DisabledGo.

At this juncture Councillor PD Varnsverry who was present at the meeting gave an update on concessionary bus passes.  He confirmed that the Council would be distributing questionnaires within the next few weeks to collate views on times, companion passes, options and changes to extended hours and schemes across the county.  There was a section for comments and the results would be provided early in the New Year in a report to Cabinet with recommendations.

Councillor PD Varnsverry confirmed that the concessionary bus passes had been raised by R. Shah at a Council meeting and Overview and Scrutiny had set up an investigation in response to R. Shah’s concerns.  The contact for Overview and Scrutiny was Councillor Simpson (Chair).

E. Smith advised that Kettering Borough Council had already allowed carers on buses free.  Councillor PD Varnsverry confirmed that he was aware of this from the Pensioner’s Forum and Pensioner’s Voice.

Councillor PD Varnsverry confirmed he would forward a copy of the questionnaire to E. Bacon and N. Homayoun.

J. Welsh suggested that the travel pass for the buses could also include the trains.

B. Barber confirmed that there was the Northampton Door to Door Service for people who are unable to use public transport.  There was a joining fee of £12.50 per year, NBC Concessionary Travel Permits were accepted and Guide and Helper Dogs were carried free of charge.  Their contact number was 01604 583553.

S. Bell confirmed a list of accessible taxis that could hold wheelchairs was available   A full copy of the listing including services in other parts of the county can be obtained from Ability Northants, Suite 58, Burlington House East Wing, 369 Wellingborough Road, Northampton, NN1 4EU 01604 624088 or from sandra.bell@abilitynorthants.org.uk

RESOLVED:

1.      Councillor PD Varnsverry to forward questionnaires to Northampton University, Northampton College and Moulton College, E. Bacon and N Homayoun. 

2.      Councillor PD Varnsverry to bring forward the suggestion of using the concessionary bus passes for the trains to Overview and Scrutiny (1).