Issue - meetings

1.  It was moved by County Councillor Andrew Snowden and seconded by County Councillor Kim Snape that:

Making Lancashire a Leader in Supporting People with Crohns and Colitis

The numbers of people suffering with Crohns and Colitis and other severe bowel and urinary diseases and conditions, such as recovering from cancer surgery, is rising. There are also increasing numbers of young people with the condition, brought to the world’s attention by the recent news of a ten year old boy from Kentucky who took his own life after being bullied for having a colostomy bag.

These conditions in themselves are incredibly painful, exhausting and stressful - for many they also pose life threatening and life changing situations and decisions. Yet, on the whole, awareness in the general public about the severity and reality of life for those with these conditions is low, leading to embarrassment and stress for those with the condition and meaning that things such as access to toilets are not seen as a public health priority.

Campaigns such as ‘Not every disability is visible’ and the ‘Can’t Wait' card have made headway in raising awareness that not everyone needing access to a disabled toilet has a readily visible disability. But much more needs to be done.

It is proposed that Lancashire becomes a national beacon of best practice in supporting people with Crohns and Colitis and other related conditions by:

·  Recognising toilet access, both public and private, as an important public health issue.

·  Raising awareness of groups for whom toilet access is a crucial issue and creating a better understanding of the conditions, symptoms and support needed

·  Ensuring the county council leads by example as an organisation in its employment practices, awareness raising and support.

·  Working with partners to improve toilet access and to identify means to do this through information sharing and digital platforms.

·  Developing a pledge with district councils, businesses and the public sector to increase recognition of the ‘Can’t Wait' card programme and sharing their toilet facilities information on relevant digital platforms.

On being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was:

Resolved: - That:

Making Lancashire a Leader in Supporting People with Crohns and Colitis

The numbers of people suffering with Crohns and Colitis and other severe bowel and urinary diseases and conditions, such as recovering from cancer surgery, is rising. There are also increasing numbers of young people with the condition, brought to the world’s attention by the recent news of a ten year old boy from Kentucky who took his own life after being bullied for having a colostomy bag.

These conditions in themselves are incredibly painful, exhausting and stressful - for many they also pose life threatening and life changing situations and decisions. Yet, on the whole, awareness in the general public about the severity and reality of life for those with these conditions is low, leading to embarrassment and stress for those with the condition and meaning that things such as access to toilets are not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19