The meeting focused on awarding the Freedom of the Borough to ten individuals for their contributions to improving the lives of disabled people in Hammersmith and Fulham. The council also noted apologies for absence from several councillors.

Freedom of the Borough Award

The council awarded the Freedom of the Borough to ten individuals: Tara Flood, Kate Bettridge, Victoria Brignall, Ali Bedemir, Martin Doyle, Mike Gannon, David Isaac, Ramona Williams, Jane Wilmott, OBE, and Kevin Caulfield. This honor recognizes their selfless service to improving the lives of disabled people in the borough.

Stephen Cowan's Speech

Stephen Cowan, the leader of the council, moved the report and its recommendations. He highlighted the significance of the award, stating it is a chance for us to say as representatives of the wider citizenry, thank you for what you have done for everybody to enrich our lives and make our borough safer, stronger and kinder. He recounted his journey with the awardees, starting from a fundraising night at a pub on Goldhawk Road, and how their advocacy influenced council policies.

Contributions of the Awardees

• Tara Flood and Kevin Caulfield: Set up the Independent Disabled People's Commission, which influenced local and national policies.
• Jane Wilmott, OBE: Co-chaired the Thomas Moo Thurm civic campus project and worked on making streets and planning more inclusive.
• Victoria Brignall: Spoke about the importance of co-production and how it reignited her passion after losing her sight.
• Ramona Williams: Expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of co-production for disabled people.

Personal Stories and Impact

Several awardees shared personal stories and the impact of their work:

• Stephen Cowan: Recalled learning about the social model of disability and the importance of inclusive policies.
• Victoria Brignall: Mentioned her role as a co-production coordinator for the council.
• Jane Wilmott, OBE: Highlighted her involvement in various projects and the importance of inclusive planning.
• Tara Flood: Spoke about the long-term fight for disabled rights and the significance of abolishing charging for essential support services.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude and a call to continue the fight for disabled rights.