Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Acock, S Silver and L Ambrose.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2005 which had been previously circulated were agreed.

(A)  It was noted that Councillor Acock was no longer the other Co-Chair of this meeting and that the group would be advised of the Councillor to replace him in due course.

(B)  With regard to an update on Medigold it was noted that there was nothing further to report in terms of issues and the pre employment health screening questionnaire form.  The next meeting of the group was the 19 January although Officers who had been dealing with this to date were both leaving the authority.  However arrangements were being made to hand over responsibility for progressing this work.  The group would be kept updated on the situation.

(C)  With regard to the Fire Service pre-employment health screening form and any other policies regarding HIV and disclosure of HIV status it was noted that L Ambrose had been in contact with the Fire Service to request this and was awaiting response.

(D)  With regard to the BME/GB engagement it was noted that this was still being worked on and that L Ambrose had spoken to S Silver regarding the MAGRAH Conference Workshop/Speaker idea and BGMAG and SAFRA.

L Cameron gave an update on the position with regard to the budget.  It was noted that this year a late change of plan by the Finance Team meant that they were unable to attend the Forum meetings on an individual basis.  However a meeting had been held the previous day which Tom had attend as part of the budget consultation process.  It was noted that members of the Area Partnerships and Forums had all been invited to this consultation meeting.  Another date of the 17 January was also being arranged which LGB Forum members and members of their organisations were welcome to attend to discuss the budget.  The meeting on the 17 would only go ahead if people expressed an interest in attending and therefore they needed to make sure a request was in place in advance.  Andrew stated that regarding the meeting on the 17 he would ensure that Northampton LGBA members were aware of the invitation.  In response to a question from Andrew as to how issues would be fed back from the meeting the following week L Cameron advised that he or L Ambrose would be taking notes and also there was the questionnaire which had been widely distributed to Area Partnership / Forum members which would be available and comments could be fed back in this way.  Some further discussion then ensued in terms of possible numbers attending the meeting on the 17 but L Cameron concluded that regardless of numbers the meeting would go ahead and that he would advise L Ambrose accordingly.

It was noted that Tom was now a member of the Town Centre Steering Group in his capacity as Co-Chair of this Forum.  In terms of this Forum and the NLGBA it was a case of looking at how any changes to the Town Centre would effect the LGB community.  It was noted that there was a walkabout around the Town Centre scheduled for Thursday 19 January between 4.00 o’clock and 5.00 o’clock.  Anyone interested in taking part would meet in the Great Hall of the Guildhall.  Apparently notification of this had been sent by email from M Swann.  Some concern was expressed that some members of the group were not aware of this.

Reference was then made to statistics on homophonic incidents and P Colhoun (Hate Crime Unit) undertook to get details for the next meeting.

Reference was then made to a problem encountered with a taxi and it was noted that any problems concerning taxis should be channelled through the Licensing Enforcement Team at the Borough Council.

It was noted that there was now a small display in the Spencer Percival area of the Guildhall as part of Holocaust Memorial activities and LGBT History recognition.  It was agreed at the Holocaust Memorial Day Planning Group meeting to have the display combining the 2 themes.  The display included some general information about the Holocaust Memorial Day and its aims eg against Hate Crime and included an introduction about Nazi persecution of LGB people and some LGB survivor stories from the 1940’s, introduction about Romany Gypsies and Disabled People and other survivor stories of both the holocaust and Rwanda.  It was noted that the Jewish Museum Exhibition, “The Last Goodbye” was coming to the Guildhall between the 23 – 27 January and there was information available to take away about activities / partner organisations.  It was noted that LGB Forum members were welcomed to contribute further information eg NLGBA newsletters information about events etc.  It was noted that events could be publicised using the blank poster for HMD available through L Ambrose or on the HMD website  www.hmd.org.uk.  Invitations would be issued to attend the ceremony on Friday the 27 January at 11.00 followed by the launch of the hate crimes film.  All forum members were welcome to attend but needed to request a place.

This had been placed on the agenda so that the group could start looking at planning what to do for an open meeting.  It was suggested that perhaps a planning group needed to be set up so that the matter could be progressed between meetings.  This was duly agreed as the way forward.

M Felix advised that the Race Action Northampton meeting was taking place on Monday 16 January and that the Chief Constable was due to attend.

L Cameron advised that the International Women’s Day Event was taking place this year on Saturday the 11 March and, as a change, and in response to feedback of previous years it was seeking to involve all the Forums and to reflect the diverse issues and achievements of Women in relation to equality.  Support of members of this Forum would be welcomed.  It was noted that the event would be shorter than in previous years taking place in the morning between 9.30 am and 1.00 pm.  It was noted that child care facilities would be available in the Court Room with the event itself taking place in the Great Hall.  Tom asked that Paul Crofts be advised of the event.

It was noted that the following would be included at the March meeting.

Review of the Forums – speaker either Thomas Hall or Sean Silver purpose of the review was part of Quality Management and improving the effectiveness of the Forums.  It was noted that it was associated with the NBC new communications and consultation engagement strategy and also with publicity to raise awareness of the Forums.  The Borough Council was keen to involve existing Forum members.

Open Forum Meeting 2006 – Update

Medigold – update.

Feedback from Town Centre Commission Walkabout.

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for the 15 March as 6.30 pm at the Guildhall.  M Felix advised of his apologies for that meeting.

The meeting concluded at 7.40 pm.