Issue - items at meetings - 39 - 41 Whitehawk Way Disposal

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

59.1      RESOLVED:

(1)       That the committee on behalf of the council, sign up to the BSL Charter, pledges 2, 3 and 5 and work with the British Deaf Association and local Deaf and BSL groups towards fulfilling the requirements of pledges 1 and 4 as outlined in appendix 1 to the report;

(2)       That a report be brought back to the Committee in 12 months updating the position in regard to the progress made on meeting the pledges and detailing what support services there are for hearing children with deaf parents.

59.1      The Head of Communities & Equalities introduced the report which detailed the outcome of a review of current practice by the council against the five pledges of the British Deaf Association (BDA) Charter; and the recommendations of the Fairness Commission.  She noted that a Members Working Group which had been part of the review process had identified the need to sign up to the British Sign Language Charter (BSL) and drew the committee’s attention to a clarification to the report’s recommendation and financial implications as a result of changes to the BSL Charter detailed in the addendum papers.

59.2      The Head of Communities & Equalities stated that the intention was to sign-up to a number of the pledges and work to improve the council’s position in relation to the other pledges before signing-up t them. 

59.3      Members of the Committee welcomed the report and noted the intention to sign-up to pledges 2, 3 and 5 whilst working towards a position to be able to sign-up to pledges 1 and 4 in the future.  It was felt that there should be recognition of how the council would work towards meeting pledges 1 and 4 and Councillor Moonan moved an amendment to the recommendation so that this was made clear.

59.4      Councillor Druitt formally seconded the amendment.

59.5      Councillor Simson queried whether where a hearing child was born to deaf parents; it was difficult to find services to support that child and whether any changes had been made.

59.6      The Chair noted that it was not possible to clarify the position at the meeting but asked that officers investigate the situation and suggested that an update report be brought back to the committee in due course on the pledges and the matter raised b Councillor Simson.

59.7      The Chair noted that an amendment to the recommendation had been made and put the revised recommendations to the vote which were carried.

59.8      RESOLVED:

(1)       That the committee on behalf of the council, sign up to the BSL Charter, pledges 2, 3 and 5 and work with the British Deaf Association and local Deaf and BSL groups towards fulfilling the requirements of pledges 1 and 4 as outlined in appendix 1 to the report;

(2)       That a report be brought back to the Committee in 12 months updating the position in regard to the progress made on meeting the pledges and detailing what support services there are for hearing children with deaf parents.