Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from D Mistry.

At this point Tom introduced Councillor Palethorpe as the new co-chair for this group.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2006, which had previously  been circulated, were agreed.

There were none.

 was noted that full discussion on this would be deferred until the next meeting pending further discussions with HR and Councillor Palethorpe, the new Co-Chair of this Forum, as he wished to be involved in the discussions.  Andrew commented that he wished to raise one issue again regarding disclosure of HIV status and the issue of potential biting risks i.e. such as in a care environment.  He related a case where an employee had been dismissed in a childcare environment and felt that this was something that could be raised again.  He added that this Forum had presented HR with what it thought to be best practice, i.e. from Camden and asked that HR’s view in this example of best practice be raised again.  Councillor Palethorpe stated that he had a copy of a best practice and would raise this in his discussions.

These two items were taken together. Michelle Grimwood, a Hate Project Worker from Victim Support was introduced to the meeting.  She stated that she had been invited to present the Hate Crimes DVD for the Group’s information and any feedback or comments that they might have.  She stated that her role was in raising awareness in Hate Crime as an issue rather than working with the victims themselves.  The DVD had been produced in partnership with other organisations i.e. NBC, NCC, the Police, etc.  She stated that initially they had looked at what practical resources were available for hate crime and determined that there was in fact very little.  The DVD had been produced by Thurrock which had been led by the Police and it had been the intention to use their DVD in Northampton but it was then decided that Northampton should make their own.  She stated that the DVD started with a commercial and then dealt with the  issue of hate crime generally. 

The DVD was then shown to the Forum.  At the end comments and feedback were invited.  The Group expressed the view that this was an excellent resource and an excellent method of getting the message of stamping out hate crime across .  It was noted that copies of the DVD would be available in about three weeks time and copies of it could be made available to whoever could promote it.  It was noted that the Criminal Justice Board were making it a County wide strategy and the aim was to get it to be seen in as many places as possible.  It was suggested that it would be a good strategy to get it shown                                     in schools, libraries, etc.

Sergeant Colhoun then did an update on hate crimes.  He stated that currently there were five investigators and a Victim Support worker.  Once the new Victim Support worker was in post he would bring them along and introduce them to the Forum.  This was to replace Steve Young who had previously carried out the role.  He stated that his statistics were much the same as previously and referred to a number of successful prosecutions regarding homophobic incidents.  He referred to specific premises where incidents had occurred and to the fact that there had been an incident at Midsummer Meadow which would be reported to the Midsummer Meadow working group when it next met.  Some discussion then ensued in terms of gay venues in the Town and some of the problems that were being encountered. The suggestion was made that perhaps there needed to be some monitoring to determine the door policy of these venues. 

Some further discussion then ensued  in terms of gay venues and issues around community safety.

The Chief Constable then addressed the Forum outlining his role and aspirations in terms of hate crime issues. He stressed his commitment to dealing with hate crime and other related issues because he considered they were very important and needed to be tackled in the right  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

L Ambrose advised that the proposed walkabout around the Town Centre had taken place and that M Swann was looking to organise a second one.  He would be liaising with Andrew in due course, as there would be another round of consultation on issues arising from the Town Centre Commission Group.  It was noted that all forums wanted representation on the Town Centre Commission.

Agreed that this item would be kept on the agenda for the next meeting for a further update.  Tom also requested that as part of this update, issues such as the WNDC, the Railway Station refurbishment and the Grosvenor Greyfriars situation be included. L Ambrose suggested that it might be useful to invite the Grosvenor Centre Manager to the meeting. 

Andrew referred to the discussion at the last meeting on this issue when it had been suggested that a planning group be set up to progress the matter.  Andrew stated that he was happy to work with a sub-group.

Agreed that he and L Ambrose liaise with a view to establishing such a group and taking it forward.  In the interim, anyone with any ideas should liaise with Andrew accordingly.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

It was noted that there were a few packs available in terms of the Working Together for Victims and Witness Conference.

Reference was then made to the 2007 Holocaust Memorial Day Event and the Group expressed an interest in being involved with some activity for the event.  The Group were asked to give further consideration as to what they would like to do. 

Other events taking place included the Refugee Week from 19 to 25 June, a Race Equality Forum Event on 10 June at the Guildhall and a Disabled Peoples Forum Event on 8 July at the Guildhall.  There was the Disablism Conference on 28 March at the Tithe Barn in Wellingborough.

Andrew referred to the brochure “Out Take” which was produced by the Northamptonshire Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Alliance.  He referred to the front cover which mentioned the research carried out into the scope and extent of homophobic bullying in the three Northampton schools the other year and that as a follow on a series of four information leaflets had been produced to pilot within selected secondary schools around the County.  He stated that the result of the pilot on those leaflets would be reported to a future meeting of the Forum.

Reference was made to a document regarding discrimination on LGB people and the fact that consultations were out on this.  Councillor Palethorpe had a copy and he expressed the view that it was perhaps something that the Group could look at to make sure that it got its voice heard.  The consultation was running until 13 June and it was agreed that this item be put on the agenda for the next meeting so that it could be discussed more fully.  Andrew commented that it was a real topical issue in terms of civil partnerships.  In referring to civil partnerships, comment was made that perhaps the Guildhall could be a venue for a civil partnerships fair to promote facilities available, i.e. in terms of venues, receptions, etc.  L Ambrose undertook to check the availability of the Guildhall with a view to the possibility of holding such a fair. 

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for Monday, 15 May.  L Ambrose stated that she had a copy of the draft Committee timetable and read out the proposed dates for the meetings of this Forum.  It was noted that the January meeting in 2007 clashed with Area Partnership 1 and it was therefore agreed that it  be requested that this meeting move to 24 January.

The meeting concluded at 8:20 pm.