The Fife Independent Disability Network - Newsletter - Winter 2009 Actions speak louder Last month the Baywatch survey was carried out and I hope that, like me, you made your way to your local supermarket armed with your pencil and survey form. I've always taken part in the Baywatch survey in past years and I've always found plenty of cars parked in disabled bays without badges to record. It always seemed as if, despite all the efforts of the Baywatch campaign, nothing changed. But this year was different. My local store, which is a Sainsbury's, was actively policing its bays and handing out £50 fines to anyone parked without a Blue Badge. Unsurprisingly it meant nobody was parked in the disabled bays who shouldn't be. For the first time ever since I started taking part in these surveys, there was no abuse to report. Disabled people have always felt that providing accessible parking wasn't enough in itself. Unless bays are actively policed and the spaces kept free for disabled people, parking remains difficult. In June 2008 the Transport Select Committee's report on the Blue Badge scheme stated that "Under the Disability Discrimination Act, service providers have a duty to make their services accessible to disabled people and this includes, where appropriate, the provision of disabled parking bays."   However, the Committee was unsure whether or not an operator who provided disabled parking bays but did not police their use would be complying with the Act. This question has now been answered, in a case that is still subject to reporting restrictions, after a disabled driver successfully took a supermarket to court for not policing its bays. The civil court ruled that by not policing the disabled bays on its premises, the supermarket was failing to provide people with access to goods and services as specified in Section 19 of the Disability Discrimination Act. Because the disabled parking bays were not kept clear for people with disabilities, disabled people were unable to park near the entrance and had to struggle to get to the store. The driver also received a Section 21 order, requiring the supermarket to change its practice. The store now employs a 24-hour parking attendant to monitor the disabled bays. A spokesman for the company that represented the disabled driver said: "This is a great victory for leveling out the playing field for people with disabilities. This will undoubtedly open up the floodgates for cases against supermarkets across Great Britain. "Finally, the voice of one person has been heard and the right outcome has been achieved". As yet not all supermarkets are policing their bays and fining drivers who park improperly. However, the company concerned says that since this case it has received claims from disabled people across England and Wales in respect of abuses at Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. It says that these cases are ongoing and that county court claims will be issued in the near future. From my own experience at my local Sainsbury's, fining really does make a difference and hopefully, with the result of this claim, other parking providers will be "encouraged" to take action. After all, those who choose not to may have to face the consequences.   With more supermarkets actively policing and imposing penalties against bay abuse, Helen Smith says disabled people are also acting to stamp it out.   The above is from the Disability Now Magazine September 2009 website www.disabilitynow.org.uk Note from FIDN editor: I shop at the Asda`s superstore in Halbeath (near Dunfermline) usually twice a week on a Tuesday around 5pm and Saturday around noon and usually park in the disabled baysto the right of the store. I thought I say that I have seen no difference in the amount of abuse of the Disabled bays than it was before Asda started to fine, it can still be quite bad. Certainly at the times I go to Asda`s it is. Robert A Hunter Taxi Victory Heralds way Forward for Disability Rights  A High Court ruling on accessible taxis in Liverpool is set to have wide-ranging benefits for people with all types of disabilities. Last year Chairman Malcolm Kelly sparked outrage when his committee refused to issue licences to drivers of Peugeot E7 taxis. However, campaigners went to High Court and challenged the council’s decision at a two-day judicial review. The case was brought by wheelchair user Alma Lunt, who claimed that she and many other users of larger wheelchairs could not travel safely in the city’s current public-hire taxi fleet. Backed by several disability associations, Mrs Lunt asked Liverpool City Council to license an alternative, more wheelchair-friendly cab so that she could travel safely. Mrs Lunt and others repeatedly explained to the Council’s licensing officer and licensing committee that vehicle constraints prevented her being properly positioned and safely secured in the existing London-style taxis. Stressing that a ‘one-size fits all’ approach would not meet the needs of all travellers, campaigners had pointed to a ready-made solution in the form of the more accessible E7 taxi which is manufactured jointly by Peugeot and accessible vehicle specialist Allied Vehicles. The judge ruled that Liverpool City Council must reconsider its decision not to license these wheelchair accessible cabs. The ruling means that Liverpool City Council will now have to reconsider its stance on issuing licences for the sliding-door cabs. The case was the first in the UK to test the Disability Discrimination Act’s prohibition against discrimination in the exercise of public functions   The Thistle Travel Card We thought we`d let you know that the Thistle Card is no longer being issued as they have been unable to secure funding from the Scottish Government to continue the scheme. Even though no new cards are being issued, the cards that have been issued are still being recognised by all transport operators. Petions to 10 Downing Street Petitions have long been sent to the Prime Minister by post or delivered to the Number 10 door in person. You can now both create and sign petitions on this website too, giving you the opportunity to reach a potentially wider audience and to deliver your petition directly to Downing Street. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/   The Next FIDN Network Meeting Will be on Thursday 10th December, Pitbauchlie Hotel, Dunfermline from 2-4pm - Contact Muriel on  01592 203993 for more details Fife Council - Balancing the books  Balancing the books - have your say The decision was taken at the June meeting of Policy, Finance and Asset Management Committee to undertake a public and employee consultation on Fife Council's budget for 2010 -11 and the following years. A cross party steering group with Trade Union representation, chaired by Councillor Elizabeth Riches has been developing the content and format of the consultation. Eleven drop in sessions for residents, community and voluntary organisations have been planned across Fife - details enclosed. In addition, there will be an online consultation on www.fifedirect.org.uk/councilbudget - available later this week. The steering group has asked that you support the process by : *  Raising awareness of the drop in sessions amongst your members and any other community organisations in your area *  Encouraging attendance at the drop in sessions *  Coming along to any session(s) If you require any further information or would like paper copies of the booklet which contains the questions, please do not hesitate to contact: Susan Muir Policy and Communications Fife Council Town House Kirkcaldy Tel: 08451 555555 ext 471689 E mail: susan.muir@fife.gov.uk Join in the consultation on Fife Council’s budget and have your say on what should be a priority for the coming years. You can take part online or come along to one of the drop-in sessions. • Saturday 14th November (1pm – 4pm) Rothes Halls, Glenrothes • Monday 16th November (3pm – 7pm) Court Room, St Catherine Street, Cupar • Wednesday 18th November (3pm – 7pm) Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy • Friday 20th November (3pm – 7pm) St Andrews Town Hall For more details visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/councilbudget   Campaigners call for single national card for bus passengers with a disabled DISABILITY campaigners have called for their introduction of a Scotland-wide card to alert bus drivers to passengers needing extra help. The move follows the country's largest bus operator launching a new card for its passengers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. FIRST UK BUS GROUP’S free "Safe Journey" card will enable travellers to discreetly inform drivers they have disabilities such as mobility, speech or hearing problems. The firm is believed to be the first in Scotland to introduce a new card after the issuing of country wide Thistle travel cards which performed a similar purpose ended this year after Scottish Government funding stopped. Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance secretary Alan Rees said: "While this initiative is fine in itself, users may have to carry several cards if they travel on different company buses. This is not what we want. What people need is a single national card which they can use on a variety of transport modes." ENABLE Scotland, a learning disabilities charity, said: "We'd love to see this replicated by other transport firms." The Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus firms, said: "One of our concerns was that the Thistle card would disappear only to be replaced by a glut of cards from a range of charities. This would make it difficult for a driver to tell what card meant what." Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) launches info site A website has been launched aimed at simplifying the process of choosing daily living aids. Living made easy has been launched by the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a charity which offers advice on daily living equipment for disabled people and carers. At present, Living made easy contains information on bathing, the bedroom, the stairs and telecare alarms that can be connected to a call centre and used in the event of a fall at home. But The DLF plans to add information about chairs and children’s equipment in the next few weeks with information on household gadgets, toileting and eating and drinking Equipment to follow over the next 12 months. The Living made easy website is at www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk Disabled Living Foundation. Contact details 380-384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HU Helpline: 0845 130 9177 Textphone: 020 7432 8009 Opening time: 10am - 4pm, Mon-Fri FIDN Website www.fidn.co.uk Some updates on the FIDN website Over the last 2 months 15,527 pages have been viewed on the website, which is 1,179 pages up on the previous 2 months   Countries that have viewed our website in the last 2 month are: Australia - Austria – Bulgaria - Canada - Czech Republic - Germany (Federal Republic of) - Denmark - Estonia - Finland – Indonesia – Ireland - Israel (State of) – India - Italy – Lithuania - Mauritius (Republic of) - Malaysia - Netherlands (Kingdom of the) - New Zealand - Portugal – Romania - Russian Federation - Tonga (Kingdom of) - Turkey - United Kingdom. 25 Countries in total   Below is some of the information that has been added to the website recently:   * Accessible Holidays page that I thought may be of interest to someone. The advert`s contain detail of some companies that hire out mobility aids abroad for disabled people who can`t take there own with them.   * Actions speak louder Last month the Baywatch survey   * Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, Comes into force 1st October 2009 The Act will lead to all disabled street and off parking places becoming enforceable   * DISABILITY campaigners have called for their introduction of a Scotland-wide card to alert bus drivers to passengers needing extra help.   * Where to Get Public Transport Information in Fife   * The Photo`s and video`s that were taken at the FIDN AGM 2009 Kingswood Hotel on the 24-09-2009   * Quarriers is a Scottish based charity providing practical support and care for children, adults and families at any stage of their lives   * Places I have been to eat by Pauline Medd   * Audio Books Website Links Page   And much more...   We are always looking for more disability related information that may be of interest to people with disabilities in Fife. Please, Please, Please remember that the Newsletter and website are for you the members of FIDN to voice your opinions (within reason that is), to add disability related articles that may have had a positive or negative effect on you, problems you may have had with services (your local Council, NHS, shops, and other business`s, etc, access your local Council, NHS, to shops, and other business`s, etc,) or even good experiences you have had your local Council, NHS, shops, and other business`s, etc, access your local Council, NHS, to shops, and other business, etc. Please, Please, Please get in touch with us and let us know.   Newsletter and website Editor: Robert A Hunter Fife Shopmobility Shopmobility in Kirkcaldy Shopmobility in Kirkcaldy has now moved to the ground floor of the Thistle Street car park, Thistle Street Kirkcaldy. The access is via Charlotte Street and free parking for customers is available opposite the office in the Esplanade Car Park on the left hand of the ground floor. The opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 1pm and 1.30 to 5pm. Telephone 0844 3356 414 for more details or email shopmob. kirkcaldy@btconnect.com   Shopmobility in Dunfermline Shopmobility in Kirkcaldy has now opened in the multi story car park of the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Dunfermline. Shopmobility in Dunfermline is next to the lifts and the car parks attendants’ office. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Telephone 0844 3356 414 for more details or email shopmob.dunfermline@btconnect.com   Shopmobility in Glenrothes Shopmobility in Glenrothes is in the bottom floor of the Multi Storey Car Park, Kingdom Centre. The opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Telephone 0844 3356 414 for more details or email shopmob.glenrothes@btconnect.com The web address for all three services is www.fifeshopmobility.com For more information on The National Federation of Shopmobility UK http://www.shopmobilityuk.org/ Thanks to Mr Davy Campbell for the above information.   Comfort scheme to be launched in Fife Archived news: published on Monday 20 Apr 2009 by Fife Council People are less likely to be caught short when out and about in the Kingdom, with a new comfort scheme being introduced by Fife Council. The scheme will see the council working with businesses to open up their toilet facilities for members of the public. Toilets in all Fife Council buildings, with the exception of schools, will also be made available to the public to use. Toilets in the leisure centre in Cowdenbeath are already available to the public and it is hoped that the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, together with the Arts and Theatre Trust, will be in a position to make the toilets in all of its facilities available to the public. Councillor Ross Vettraino, vice-chair of the environment, enterprise and transportation committee said: "We know that comfort schemes work quite well from looking at the experiences of neighbouring authorities. Such a scheme will be an excellent complement to the facilities that we as an authority already provide and have within our own buildings." The council will continue to provide highly valued staffed toilet facilities, however the council will close unstaffed toilets that can't be suitably maintained and which are often vandalised as well as the subject of many complaints. The council is also investigating how it can provide toilet facilities in partnership with other organisations. For example, in an exciting new project in Kinghorn the council is building a new toilet facility and on the first floor will incorporate space that could be sold or leased to a partner or community organisation. The new owner or tenant would be responsible for running the toilet facility to Environmental Services high standards. "Closing or removing services is usually a last resort," explained Councillor Vettraino. "But if we focus our resources on providing high quality facilities and supplement this with a comfort scheme, opening up our own buildings and working with others, we will have a network of services across the whole of Fife, valued by our communities and visitors." Cllr. Ross J Vettraino CBE, Vice-Chair, Environment, Enterprise & transportation Committee Tel: 08451 55 55 55 + Ext 4421 48 Contact Ross J Vettraino OBE online By Post: Fife Council,   Roddy Mann, Operations Manager   More information on the comfort scheme can be viewed online: http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.display&objectid=CDB5D78A-B462-F32D-6A2FEBEE42A90735 Places I have been to eat By Pauline Medd Muddy boots Muddy Boots is set in the North East of Fife on the Glenrothes Cupar road, opposite Kettle Produce. The café / restaurant / shop is just a delight to be in. The shop sells everything from fresh laid eggs, fresh vegetables, organic bread, specialist sauces, ice creams etc. The café, in their words- (we have a small but tasty menu full of produce that is home-grown or that you have available to buy in our farm shop). There are rolls, soup, quiche, wraps, salads and crepes, the home baking I can highly recommend. There is a log burning fire surrounded by comfortable settees and many pine tables and chairs. I was asked to be involved with the setting up of the disabled toilet at Muddy Boots; they were not happy about the type of fittings that the UK had to offer and therefore sourced them from Germany through Spittals. The toilet is in the middle of the wall with two drop rails, the sink has a temperature controlled water system, and a dyson hand dryer, I only wish other people would put the same effort into making their toilet looking so pleasing. Carnegie Retail Park, Dunfermline Thanks to the work of Davy Campbell & Mr W Rennie MP the maximum allowed time limit at this car park has been changed from 60 minutes to 120 minutes. There have been a few comments about this still not being long enough. Euro Car Parks who manage the car park say they only manage this site and have to strictly adhere to their written contract, and that the regulations at this site are set by their client and are in place to stop the site being abused and to ensure that the spaces are always readily available for genuine customers. Disabled Persons' Parking Places Scotland Act 2009 You may or may not be aware that on the 1st October 2009 the Disabled Persons' Parking Places Scotland Act 2009 came into force. To get a copy of the Disabled Persons' Parking Places Scotland Act 2009 to read it for yourself, you can view it or download from the FIDN website www.fidn.co.uk/Accessible%20Transportation/Road%20Traf fic%20Regulation%20Act%201984.html (sorry the address is so long). There is also a Legislation Annotations version from Westlaw uk. If you do not have access to a computer get in touch with the FIDN office to get a copy, there maybe very small administrations charge to cover p&p. Cowdenbeath Toilets - Closed - Have your Say There have been quite a few comments about the Cowdenbeath Public Toilets being closed and being told that the toilets at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre can be used instead.   Also the same can be said for the toilets in Lochgelly, they have been closed for a long time now (closed as toilets anyway, they are still being used by Fife Council works for something) so if you need the toilets you have to use the ones in the Lochgelly Centre. Would anyone like to comment on the above issues. Are there signs pointing to the toilets in Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre and Lochgelly Centre, are the toilets easy to find in the centres, are the disabled toilet suitable, these are just examples of what we want to know of, if you have anything else to say about them get in touch with Muriel at the FIDN office (see page 10 of this newsletter).   DLA extended to visually impaired By Sunil Peck Visually impaired people will be eligible to claim a higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) . Ministers made the announcement during the debate on the second reading of the welfare reform bill in the House of Commons after an amendment tabled by the Labour MP John Robertson was approved. It means that as of 2011, severely visually impaired people  claiming the lower rate of the mobility component of DLA will be able to claim the higher rate which is currently worth an additional £29 per week. A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman told Disability Now that the details of who would qualify as being severely visually impaired were still to be worked out. But he said that estimates suggested that around 20 thousand people would be eligible. The secretary of state for work and pensions James Purnell said: "This additional money could make a real difference helping people to go out to find a job, for instance having the extra cash to pay for a taxi to a job interview." The campaign to extend the higher rate of DLA to visually impaired people was spear-headed by the RNIB who argued that people with severe sight loss often have mobility problems on a par with people unable to walk but who are granted the higher rate. The former secretary of state for work and pensions David Blunkett paid tribute to John Robertson for tabling the amendment and James Purnell and the Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw, for supporting the campaign. He said: “I spoke at the hugely successful RNIB lobby of Parliament earlier in the year and I know that this decision by the Government is right and just." Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive of RNIB, said that she was overjoyed by the news. She added: "It is a fantastic victory for people with severe visual impairment and for everybody who has supported RNIB’s two and a half year campaign to end this long standing injustice." The above is from the Disability Now Magazine September 2009 website www.disabilitynow.org.uk Credit Crunch The recent credit crunch is making life more difficult to manage for most people in Fife and this is highlighted by the increase of Home Owners who are now registered with our service. Customers are worried about meeting financial commitments and the long wait on social rented housing to meet needs seems to be never ending, particularly if the requirement is for a larger wheelchair accessible property. The Disabled Persons Housing Service Fife continue to produce community profile reports for the development team at Fife Council from the information we have on our database of people in housing need. It is beneficial to be registered with this service to ensure that your details of housing need are highlighted to the services that can make a difference. Should any customers believe they are entering into a position where they feel they can no longer make their mortgage payments please get in touch with us, there are schemes backed by the Scottish Government that may be able to assist you. The increase demand for social rented housing has understandably added to the already high need in Fife and from our increase of ustomers this can mean a long wait for suitable housing to meet needs. From Wendy, DPHS (F) www.dphsfife.org.uk   SCHEMES TO HELP HOMEOWNERS Have you heard about the Government schemes to help home owners? There have been recent adjustments made to these schemes to help home owners who are disabled and having financial difficulty. Leaflets on these schemes are available from DPHS (F) and we can tell you the next steps to take if you are interested and want to know if you are eligible for support: The Mortgage to Rent Scheme aims to help owner occupiers who are in financial difficulty and in danger of being made homeless. The scheme helps by enabling households who are eligible to remain in their home by selling it to a social landlord - normally a local authority or housing association - and becoming a tenant of that landlord. The Mortgage to Shared Equity Scheme is aimed at helping owner occupiers who are in financial difficulty and have at least 25 per cent equity in their home to retain ownership of their home by Scottish Ministers taking an equity stake in the property. DPHS (Fife) has been asked to give some feedback to Scottish Government on these schemes. Have you heard about them? Do you think they could help you or someone you know? If you think they can't help .... why not? We would be grateful if you could answer only 3 questions on an online survey and this would ensure our customer feedback is included in our response. It is anonymous and can be found on our website: www.dphsfife.org.uk   FEEDBACK SURVEYS: If you would like to give feedback but do not have access to the internet then please phone the office and we will do this online with you over the telephone - you don't have to give your name and we will not keep a note of your responses.  Alternatively we can arrange for one of our volunteers to give you a ring back to complete this and if you'd like to do this then please leave a message with your contact details and you will get a ring back to complete the survey/so A copy of the survey questions is enclosed for your use. Thank you. Telephone No: 01592 223905   LIFT - Help For first Time Buyers and For Disabled People Whose Circumstances have Changed:   Are you also aware that a new government scheme to assist people to purchase a house also applies to disabled people - and as a disabled person you do not have to be a first time buyer but simply show that the property you currently own no longer meets your needs. DPHS (F) has leaflets available if you want to read more about this scheme of buying a house on the open market with help from the government. DPHS (F) staff have also received training in this scheme. Again, was this something you had heard about or did you think it might not apply to disabled people? We'd like your responses and it would help Scottish Government to know how to improve these schemes. You can give feedback via an anonymous survey on our website: www.dphsfife.org.uk   The Roundhouse, Priory Campus, Victoria Road, Kirkcaldy, KY1 2QT Telephone No: 01592 223905 E-mail:enquiries@dphsfife.org.uk   The above is from the Disabled Persons Housing Service Newsletter. www.dphsfife.org.uk   Your Call Disabled people over the age of 18 and their immediate family members can access the service. “Your Call” is available on 0808 801 03 62 and is staffed by trained disabled counsellors. Callers should dial the free phone number to make an initial appointment (calls are free from all landlines and most mobile phone networks). Counselling sessions will last fifty minutes and be available within the same working hours as the appointment line. At present callers can expect to speak to a counsellor within a week to ten days. In addition to offering an accessible free service to clients there is currently no limit on the number of sessions, although we have a policy of reviewing the work every six sessions. Your Call Telephone Counselling for disabled people by disabled people Call our appointment line on 0808 801 03 62 Free, confidential counselling for disabled adults in Scotland Staffed by professionally-trained disabled counsellors Monday – Tuesday 11am – 3pm Wednesday 11am – 1pm Operated by the Lothian Centre for Integrated Living and Funded by the Scottish Government Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) Norton Park 57 Albion Road Edinburgh EH7 5QY THE ILEOSTOMY AND INTERNAL POUCH SUPPORT GROUP What is IA? IA is a national support group for people with ileostomies and internal pouches . Our members consist of people who have ileostomies, pouches, colostomies and urostomies. We also have members who are family or friends of our ostomists and come along to support them. Our meetings are very informal and friendly with lots of talk and discussions. Everyone is welcome. If you wish to find out more about the Fife IA group please contact me at the address, telephone or e-mail below. I will be more than willing to help with information or support. Mrs B McNeil 117 Primrose Avenue Rosyth Fife KY11 2TX Telephone 01383 416320 E mail betty.mcneil@talktalk.net website: www.the-ia.org.uk Speak Your Mind There can be a number of reasons for someone having limited speech or no speech at all, eg medical conditions such as stroke or dementia, or the result of an accident, or because of Special Needs.   Whatever the reason, it is often difficult to know just what to say and how to communicate with someone whose verbal skills are impaired. For family and friends the awkward silences when visiting a loved one in hospital or nursing home, or even in the family home, can be so embarrassing and unconstructive that it is the most common reason for cutting the visit short - it is simply too hard. The ‘Speak Your Mind’ guide is a unique and versatile visual aid which helps to stimulate one-to-one conversation, reduce unwanted silences, and make people feel a little less self-conscious and more comfortable and happy. Its structure encourages the exchange of information, translates thoughts into actions, and not least helps reduce some of the frustration felt by those whose minds are still active but who are unable to speak or who have other communication difficulties. The guide is a wire-bound booklet designed to withstand daily wear and tear. Its features are: *  18 pages (210mm × 210mm) made of strong, polypropylene material with a glossy, laminated finish *  there are nine colour-coded and tabbed sections with pages designed for easy turning *  each page with words and pictures relevant to everyday life, plus a ‘Notes’ section for additional information to be added using the special ‘dry wipe’ pen supplied. These and the other sections in the guide can be written on, then wiped clean and used again and again *  pages for a Visitors Book, Diary, and Notes *  pages with the Alphabet, Numbers and British Sign Language (BSL) *  plastic wallet for photographs, to help personalise the pack The all-inclusive price of the Guide is £19.50.   www.symguides.co.uk/about.php   SYM Guides Limited, 2nd Floor, The Portergate, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8NX UK Or call: 0759 528 0449   Fife Housing Partnership Local Housing Strategy For Fife Community Consultation Events November 2009 The Fife Housing Partnership is consulting with residents and communities throughout Fife on the development of a new Local Housing Strategy (LHS) for the period 2010-2015. The purpose of these events is to:Discuss the findings of research into housing needs and ensure that the issues that have emerged reflect the experiences at a local level in Fife; Ask people in Fife to influence the priorities of the new LHS.   People attending will be able to discuss various housing issues, and provide ideas for a five-year improvement plan. The issues will include:   * increasing the amount of affordable housing, * planning to meet the needs of an ageing population * homelessness, * addressing fuel poverty, * improving housing conditions, and * improving the management of private housing.   If you would like to attend one of these events, please complete the attached Registration Form and email back to us telling us your preference on the date, time and place. Alternatively, please phone 08451 55 55 55 ext 444 508 to reserve your place. Places need to be booked in advance and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.   Events will be subject to number of people attending. Therefore there is no guarantee that events will take place at your preferred times however we will confirm your place at a later date.   Kind regards,   Derek Muir Head of Housing and Neighbourhood Services     Fife Housing Partnership Local Housing Strategy For Fife Community Consultation Event November 2009 Booking Form Name   Address       Post Code   Contact phone number   Email address   Which event would you like to go to? (Please tick) Reasonable transport costs will be re-imbursed     Venue 1st Choice 2nd Choice Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Central Friday 6 November; 2 - 4pm Room 11, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes     Monday 16 November; 7 - 9pm Committee Rooms 1&2, Fife House, Glenrothes     Dunfermline and South East Thursday 12 November; 2 - 4pm City Chambers, Kirkgate, Dunfermline     Thursday 12 November; 7 - 9pm     Cupar and North West Monday 23 November; 2 - 4pm County Hall (Chambers), County Buildings, Cupar     Monday 23 November; 7 - 9pm     St Andrews and North East Thursday 26 November; 2 - 4pm Lower College Hall, St Andrews University, Butts Wynd, North Street, St Andrews      Thursday 26 November; 7 - 9pm     Events will be subject to number of people attending. Therefore there is no guarantee that events will take place at your preferred times. If you cannot attend any of the above, would you be interested in future events in relation to housing? Yes / No   Do you require any special access arrangements? If so, please tell us e.g. wheelchair access, hearing loops, interpreters etc   How did you hear about the events? (Please tick one)   Local Services Centres   People's Panel   Other, please tell us