Nothing about us, without us

On Wednesday 11 June, I chaired my second full council meeting.

I am proud to say that I received unanimous support from the town councillors present - both Labour and Liberal Democrat - for a motion to resource a disability access group in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale. The motion expressly referred to the principle of the international disabled people's movement: 'nothing about us, without us' and the town council endorsed this approach.  The group will identify the things that disable people in the local area, so action can be taken to make Hebden Royd accessible.

The group is open to anyone who finds it difficult to use shops and facilities in Hebden Royd because of the way the premises are built or set out - or the way they serve you. In future, I hope the group will also act in an advisory capacity to the town council and Hebden Bridge partnership. I shall also be mentioning it to Royd Regeneration.

The town council has given itself powers to resource the group, the type and amount of resources will be determined by the Strategy and Review Committee as the group develops.

Thanks should go to Susan Quick from the Hebden Bridge Partnership for taking the initiative and setting up a public meeting on 29 May 2014, which attracted a number of people interested in participating in a local access group.

I would also like to thank Cllr Janet Battye for the support she provided.