Note of meeting Wednesday 29th Feb 2012 Disability and Age ACTION Group
1	Charmaine welcomed members to the meeting, and apologies noted. Times agreed for the agenda items The signing in sheet was circulated
2	Introductions made around the table. The minute of 31st August 2011 was agreed.
3	Derek Miller and Pat Croal gave a presentation to members on the Corporate Debt Policy of Dundee City Council. Advised that new policy on the collection of debts was to be introduced. This would involve different departments liaising with each other to establish all monies owed. Better systems to be put in place to ensure monies collected in appropriate order, sensibly and sensitively. Ensure clients had enough money left for living on, and that maximisation exercise carried out to help any monies 'go further'. Early intervention for all clients and assistance given to ensure clients directed to appropriate agencies. New approach welcomed by all members, but noted that some clients may have difficulty reading correspondence. Agreed that simplification of letters to be explored, with referral to Plain English society, and also welcome to further discuss with group members. Reference made to Booklet 'Benefit, Money and Debt Advice Services in Dundee' and agreed that a copy of this be issued to all members. Derek and Pat were thanked for their attendance, and it was noted that they could be contacted at derek.miller@dundeecity.gov.uk and pat.croal@dundeecity.gov.uk should members have any further comments or require more information.
Report on ACTIONS From Last Meeting	4	Scott Mands gave an update on the Taxi Consultation. It was reported that following a further report to the Licensing Committee, Blue Badge wheelchair users would be contacted to establish their preferences for the taxi fleet The results of this consultation would be reported back to the Committee and an informed decision made regarding the fleet. Members were asked to inform any non-Blue holders of this further consultation so their views could be heard also. It was noted that there was an expectation that the taxi fleet would be a mixture of wheelchair saloon vehicles but that the further proposed Taxi consultation would seek to determine the proportion of each to meet needs. Scott Mands gave a brief update on Service Monitoring ie efforts made by Dundee City Council to establish who was using all its services and identifying any gaps, also making a system whereby customers would not be asked twice for the same information by different departments. Scott reported that Elena and he had submitted a report to the DCC Management Team on this issue and that work was ongoing on the report's recommendations.
5	Members were reminded to submit expenses forms to Scott Mands

Items raised by members	6	Jan Goodall reported that Dundee Equalities Forum had arranged a meeting on Transport issues, to which all council election candidates were invited. This was to be held on 17th April 2012 between 2 and 4pm. Members were asked to contact the Forum if they had any personal issues they wished to raise regarding mobility/transport matters. . Victor Chlebowski reported that Deaf Action's Service Level Agreement with Dundee City Council was to be extended until July 2012 to allow for a tendering exercise to be completed. Noted that the DisabledGo event had taken place and had been very successful. Anticipated that the website would be well received and provide the community with useful information. Members asked if aware of 'Happy to Translate' symbol - noted they were not. Scott advised that this was a new company providing translation services . Agreed that it would be useful to have a single logo on correspondence rather than information currently given by Translation Services.
Items raised by council	7	Elena Brown and Scott Mands were continuing with Service Monitoring proposals.
ACTIONS	8	Further details on Taxi Policy Consultation to be provided one results of consultation available Further details on Service monitoring to be provided in due course. Document on 'Benefit, Money and Debt Advice Services in Dundee to be forwarded to all members.
9	Date for Next Meetings: Wednesday 31st May 2012 10.00am - 12 00pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 10.00am - 12 00pm
10	Thanks for coming were recorded. Email: disability@dundeecity.gov.uk
Name	Organisation ATTENDEES
Charmine Wanless	Dundee City Council, Co-chair
Dorothy Wilson	Dundee City Council Access Officer, Architects,
Veronica Thomson	Dundee City Council, Minute Taker
Scott Mands	Equalities Co-Ordinator
Derek Miller	Dundee City Council
Pat Croal	Dundee City Council
1	John Mitchell	5 Digits Group
2	Sandra Gollan	Dundee Blind and Partially Sighted Society
3	Alana Trusty	Deaf Links
4	Alex Thorburn	Dundee Campaign Action Group
5	Jan Goodall	Dundee Celebrate Age Network
6	Victor Chlebowski	Deaf Action Tayside
7	Will Herald	Dundee Pensioners Forum
8	Heather Blair	Advocating Together
Name	Organisation APOLOGIES
Elena Brown	Dundee City Council
Dorothy Potter	With Inclusion in Mind
Madeline Lamb	Stroke Club and DATAG
Denis Bethell	Dundee Access Group
Ron McLaren	Humanist Society
Susan Gunn	Celebrate Age Network
Anita Jamieson	Lead Scotland

ACTIONS: To Do List

Further details on Taxi Policy Consultation to be provided by Scott Mands

Details on Service Monitoring to be passed to all members when available

Document on 'Benefit, Money and Debt Advice Services in Dundee to be forwarded to all members.