To discuss the misuse of disabled parking bays in Bracknell Forest with representative of Blue Badge Forum, Alain Busurto-Castillon.
Minutes:
Marcos Busurto-Castillon and Kingsley Ijomah attended the meeting to inform the Group of their work to change public attitudes around the misuse of Disabled Parking Bays.
Marcos introduced Kingsley as a role model for disabled people and pillar for change. Kingsley introduced himself and told the Group that he was working as a Software Developer training people with disabilities. While living in Nigeria, Kingsley had contracted Polio aged 9 and had moved to the UK when he was 15 years old. He had discovered para-rowing and was hoping to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Marcos commented that following reports from Blue Badge holders of lack of accessibility of disabled parking and lack of respect from the public, he was looking to work with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) and Bracknell Forest Councils to change public attitude and raise awareness. An event had been held in (RBWM) two years ago called ‘Don’t Be a Space Invader’ which had provided a platform for press coverage of the issue. It was hoped that a similar event could be organised alongside both Councils, and Marcos informed the group that a steering group was being put together to hold an event in early 2017. Thames Valley Police and a number of other organisations were already in support of the event.
It was hope that alongside the new town centre being built and the Council’s focus on community resilience, the issue of Disabled Parking bay misuse could be clarified and tackled.
The Council had been responsible for the regulation of parking bays for approximately 6 years, and had outsourced the regulation to an organisation called Patrol who issued fines of up to £40 for anyone witnessed parking incorrectly in a disabled bay. Marcos commented that, although set by law, he did not believe this fine was a sufficient penalty in comparison to other parking infringement fines such as parking on yellow hatching. It was commented that Patrol came under Steve Loudoun, Chief Officer: Environment and Public Protection remit and Alison Sanders resolved to ask him to explain this issue. (Action: Alison Sanders)
The Group were reminded that in private car parks such as at supermarkets, the Council did not have a duty to patrol the spaces but that it was still important to report infringements to the store and to the police.
In the arising discussion, the following points were noted:
· It was commented that any abuse towards disabled people counted as a Hate Crime, and that the Police were particularly concerned about Hate Crime. An anti-Hate Crime campaign had been launched two years ago, and Abby Thomas resolved to feed this discussion into the campaign. (Action: Abby Thomas)
· It was suggested that a link between the Disabled Blue Badge page on the Council website could be linked to the Hate Crime page. (Action: Abby Thomas)
· Lisa McNally offered the support of Public Health and their active social media accounts to support prevention work.
· It was agreed that in a time of economisation, the Council could not employ more traffic wardens. The challenge was to change public perception.
· It was suggested that an article or promotion be included in Town & Country, the Council’s Borough-wide newspaper. (Action: Alison Sanders)