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We have 207 guests and 9 members online| Steering group |
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The task of the steering group is to develop proposals for the formal establishment of the access group. There are a number of issues that the steering group needs to address. These are outlined below: Group name and areaIt is important to be clear what area the group will cover. That should then be reflected in the name of the access group. Make sure you do not cut across another access group in the area (for example, do not call yourself the county access group if there are other local access groups working within the county area). MembershipIt is important to attract a balanced membership in an access group. In addition to wheelchair users and those with an ambulant disability (those who have difficulty walking), your group should seek to recruit people with visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities and ‘hidden’ disabilities such as dyslexia or epilepsy. Role of the groupYou will need to clearly define what the role of the group is going to be. For instance, there may be expectations from outside agencies that you provide information or advice on welfare benefits issues, or that your group is used as the main consultation body on a range of disability issues, such as direct payment schemes. These may not be appropriate activities for an access group. ScrutineersScrutineers are the members of the group who visit the local authority planning and building control departments advising officers on planning applications. They can also be called upon to survey existing buildings and advise on access improvements. There is potential here for the development of a partnership between the local Access Officer and the scrutineers from the access group. Very often the Access Officer will be based in the planning or building control department. However, not all local authorities employ access officers. In that case, it would be worth contacting the planning and/or building control departments to check if there is a designated officer dealing with access issues, or contacting the equality officer of the local authority. Committee structure and constitutionThe formally established access group will probably have an elected chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. As the group develops, you may also wish to appoint a PR officer and other designated officers. This should be reflected in the constitution of the access group.
Your group may decide to have a broad, strategic-type constitution, or a detailed, point-by-point constitution. This issue should be discussed at one of the first meetings. Copies of the group constitution should be sent to all members. The constitution should be adopted at the first formal general meeting of the access group so that membership can be established and election procedures for key officers initiated. Charitable statusIf your group decides it would like charitable status, you should contact the Charity Commission for England and Wales. They can also give important advice on the roles and responsibilities of the charity’s trustees. Everyone in the group should read and understand this information at the outset, so they know what is expected of them should the group be granted charitable status. Charitable status has advantages when applying for grants, from the local authority or other sources. Links and alliancesFind out who else is interested in access issues in your area. Some organisations – such as Living Streets and local parents groups – can be useful allies in developing policies and campaigns on specific issues. You might also think about working with groups that are potentially in conflict with your aims, such as local environment groups opposed to urban development. How meetings will be runYou will need to consider how your meetings will be organised to ensure that disabled people can participate in your activities. A useful factsheet on accessible meetings is available free from Disabled People’s Network Manchester. Factors to consider include: Frequency of meetings – how often your group meets will depend partly on how much work the group feels able to take on. Most groups meet either monthly or in alternate months; others may meet more or less frequently. Choose a suitable venue, and set times and dates of meetings for one year ahead. It may be necessary for sub-committees to meet more frequently, especially if one is set up comment on local planning applications. Make sure the times of the meetings do not exclude members. 1. Agenda: The Chairperson and Secretary prepare an agenda in advance of each meeting that is sent out to all members about two weeks beforehand. 2. Minutes: The Secretary should take minutes of the meeting, write them up and circulate them to all members as soon as possible after the meeting. It is helpful to indicate action points and who agreed to carry them forward. Agendas, reports and minutes should be produced additionally in Braille or on tape or disc for those with a visual impairment as required. Launch and PROnce you are satisfied that the group can perform its chosen roles as an access group, you need to tell people about the group.
Use the launch to:
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