Disability Forum's Future in the Balance

The future of the North Norfolk Disability Forum is up for discussion at a special meeting next week.

The forum is holding an information day for disabled people and their carers on Wednesday, 14 September, from 10am to 2pm at Holt Community Centre, when they can find out more about the forum's work and the support it offers.

Organisations that provide services to disabled people will be also be there on the day to give information, help and advice. Such organisations are also welcome to attend the day, whether or not they have display stands there.

But at 11am there will also be a formal, chaired discussion between participating agencies and individuals about whether the forum is needed and should continue, and what its role should be. A light lunch will be provided at 12 noon.

The forum was set up in 2002 to give disabled people a voice in decision-making and a structure for being consulted - by any and all councils, authorities and agencies - about local policies and projects.

Since its launch, the North Norfolk Disability Forum has considered and made representations upon issues of health care provision, leisure services and affordable housing needs, for example.

Councillor Margaret Craske, NNDC's Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, urged interested parties to join the debate about the fate of the forum. She said: "This is a time of great upheaval and uncertainty in care provision in North Norfolk. So it is important that disabled people and their carers consider whether this forum can be preserved, and if so, how. NNDC needs to know that the forum will be used and supported, and by whom. And we all need to think about whether we should change the way it works, so it can do its job better."

For further information, or for help with transport to the event, please call Terry Read on 01692 500550 or Sonia Shuter on 01263 516173.

ENDS