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Minutes of General Meeting

Date / Tuesday 7th Oct 14
Time / 10.00am to 12.00pm
Venue / Stoke Town Hall
Agenda topic / Action
Attendees and Apologies
Present:
John Beech (Chair)
Geoff Bryan (Deputy Chair)
Pam Bryan (Secretary)
Stephanie Wood (Deputy Secretary)
Winston Green (Treasurer)
John Burgess (Deputy Treasurer)
Jennifer Pardue
Hannah Hulme (Sentinel)
Philip Woodward
Angie Bunn
Hannah Tichener (Rob Flello’s office)
Terry Crowe
Brian Turnock
Michelle Lakin (Shopmobility)

  1. Minutes of last meeting were signed as a true record.
  2. Treasurer’s Report
To present day we have £1099.49 to cover all costs for the year.
  1. Matters Arising from Minutes
Private Hire vehicles to be allowed in bus lanes for a trial period.
Tontine Street Kerb EdgesMembers reported that this was still causing problems resulting in injury. Terry Crowe will contact Malcolm Dawson and report back.
Chiropody Brian has been very active in trying to get a resolution to this problem. He will forward all the results to Pam and she will continue to follow it up.
Stafford Street The problem of dropped kerbs not lining up has now been resolved thanks to the action of the Council who have now installed a proper crossing.
Motability Scooter Access in Meir Jennifer has followed this up and will continue to ask for action from her Councillor and MP.
Hanley Forest Park Fun Day This was a huge success thanks to all the hard work and organisational skills of the Greendoor team. Pam thanked all those who turned up on the day to help.
Drugs shortage Andrew Prichard Pharmacy Advisor for NHS England will be at our next meeting on Dec.2nd to try to resolve this issue. / TC
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  1. Hospital Parking Updates
Legal Advice Steph said that this was ongoing.
UHNS AGM Both Jennifer and Brian had been able to attend this meeting although in spite of pre arranging the disabled parking, Jennifer had experienced severe difficulties in getting into the space as no one had been there to remove the barriers. Both Members had asked questions regarding the government guidance on disabled parking and other issue. The general feeling was of being fobbed off, with “we are looking into it”. When what we want is action. Pam will email the UHNS and ask for an update.
UHNS Access MRI Scanner and Lyme building Members highlighted the problems that disabled people are having in both accessing the MRI scanner because of the wobbly stairs (no lift?) and because of the very limited parking at that part of the hospital. Members told of problems when the main doors to the Lyme Building were closed off because of building work. Pam will email UHNS and bring these problems to their notice. / .
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  1. Winton House
Healthwatch actionPaul Astley was not present to give his report so Pam gave an outline of the action taken so far.
Joan Walley’s Action Joan was continuing to chase the DWP and Capita for a reply.
Hannah (Rob Flello’s office) said that they could also chase up action on this issue and will email Pam with the results.
  1. Highways and pavement obstructions
Hannah will also chase this one as STAND still had not had any feedback on the review from the Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis as promised. Pam will also try to get an answer from the Commissioner’s office.
  1. Donations.
Donors were thanked for their contributions.
  1. AOB
Pedestrianisation/Hanley City Centre This is causing some problems for members. John will set up a meeting with officers next year to see what can be done to make it more disabled friendly.
Trade waste binshave been placed in disabled bays in Burslem. Jennifer will contact Mike Clarke and try to get them removed.
Stoke Station Delivery vehicles are blocking/parking in the disabled bays at Stoke Station.
Pam will contact Virgin Trains, Stoke Station and Mike Clarke to see what can be done.
Transport Lane continues to cause problems. Members have seen private hire vehicles parked in disabled bays and blocking the dropped kerb.
The hotline number to report vehicles causing problems was kindly supplied be Michelle from Shopmobility 01782 237999 All members are recommended to use this if they see these problems.
Date of Next General Meetings 2nd Dec 2014 and 10th Feb 2015
Les will you please book a room for these dates. / HT
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