ASLI North-West Regional Meeting Minutes

Monday 12th January 2026 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Online - Zoom

Attendees:

·     Laura Wainwright (LW)

·     Leanne Sneddon (LS)

·     Leanne Wakefield (LW)

·     Heidi Anderson (HA)

·     Rebecca Hinks (RH)

·     Tawona Fleming (TF)

·     Mike Payne (MP)

·     Tayyibah Mohammed (TM)

·     Sarah Glendenning (SG)

·     Daniel Labno (DL)

·     Beverley Roberts (BR)

·     Melissa Payne (MP)

 Apologies:

·     Tracey Keeble

·     Nicola Alloway

·     Iesha Debenham

·     Nicola Rothwell

 Disclaimer – to be read out before each meeting

Everything discussed at these meetings is done so in confidence, and we ask that you respectfully keep all information as confidential. Should we need to discuss something that may be a possible conflict of interest to you, we would advise that you remove yourself from the discussion for the duration of that topic. We will advise when the topic in question has concluded and will invite you back into the meeting to avoid any potential issues around conflicts of interest.

1 - Check in and Welcome

The disclaimer and declaration of confidentiality was read at the start of the meeting.

2 - Minutes of previous Meeting

Confirmed by LW.

3 - Action responses

Training research ongoing (Christmas Break)

4 - TSLIs/Early Career

No responses

5 - Training

Via ASLI website:

·     3rd Feb – Ally-ship in Action

·     Feb & March – Making Tax Digital 26th Feb

·     Data protection 17th March 

Other:

·     GD & SG – lone working training day via Sign Language Interpretations – March 21st, all day online

6 - AGM

15th Nov 2025

·     Feedback – webinar issues so moved to Zoom, then became full so some issues that will be looked at for future AGMs (over an hour with issues and lots of people asking for more access at a later date but it went ahead)

·     Discussions around AI and how the profession cannot be fully replaced by this

·     SignPort – membership feedback – will not be moving forward at this time

·     Officer role has helped with the back end duties

·     No longer on “X” – still on FB,IG

·     EDI info-graphics in the works

·     Positive feedback from Blackpool conference and volunteer costs have been somewhat covered this time which was appreciated

·     Membership – dip in numbers from '23 to '24 but website tracking was harder during the transition

·     Fees and guidance taken for their fee increase to be “in line with increasing fees from NUBSLI and national guidance”– regional differences are not factored in. The figures come from the mean range of the regions.

·     However, votes from members meant that the motion for fee increase did not go ahead

·     The votes for partnership motion passed – this means that the relationships and partnerships can be made by the board without having to go to members

·     Transparency with finance breakdown with how ASLI funds are spent / where the funds come from – there is an accounts report, but it doesn't seem the easiest document to read - they are trying to make this more transparent, but raises questions in the meantime

·     Office space accounts for ¼ of the budget, but without physical office space – clarification needed over what this accounts for

·     Trying to create additional resources in BSL which takes time/money

·     Abu Dhabi WASLI location has had some push-back, they are looking into this

·     Any queries and questions can be sent to ASLI directly (office or board) for further info, or to the NW committee

·     Off the back of this information, there was a discussion amongst members that many have a general feeling of discontent / lack of confidence in the ASLI board, what ASLI stands for and the fact that it doesn't feel “member led” any more

·     In the past there has been the opportunity for regions to meet with. Board member to discuss views/get information – is this something we can do? Committee to approach the board and ask for someone to visit the NW on a f2f basis 

·     Other suggestions such as joining another region for strength in numbers in communicating this issue if other regions feel the same

 7 - 40th Celebration 2027

ASLI turns 40 in 2027 and the plans will be to have a celebration open to all members – region / venue / details all TBC

8 - Newsli Article Discussion – Oct 25 p11 “Access and Choice” – Annelies Kusters

A.O.B

Some members are receiving emails with the offer to purchase attendees / member lists from ASLI – some have been referred to the office but if you think these emails are suggesting a data breach (offering information that would only be found in minutes) and not the offer of publicly available information, let the committee or ASLI know.