Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Sergeant P Colhoun.

(copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2006, copies of which had been circulated, were agreed.

Copies of the latest edition of News Update, the newsletter of the Northampton Town Centre Commission, was circulated for information.

With regard to Item 8 of the minutes concerning HIV and pre-employment screening it was noted that the review of the HR policies on HIV was not ready yet and H Crabtree, Corporate Manager, had advised that he would be bringing something to the September meeting on this.  Andrew commented that he took exception to one statement made at the last meeting, namely in the second paragraph in which H Crabtree had explained that the completed questionnaires were sent to Medigold who did not disclose the HIV status to anyone but would advise whether a potential employee was fit to take up a role or whether adjustments were needed to be made under the DDA.  Andrew commented on a telephone conversation with Medigold and stated that he wanted Medigolds actual Disclosure Policy in writing rather than everything being verbal.  Tom undertook to follow this up on behalf of the Forum. 

Reference was then made to health clubs and other centres.It was agreed that as a future item for discussion policies on HIV in terms of health centres and other such facilities could be discussed.  It was agreed that these would be put on the agenda for the next meeting.  It was also agreed that possibly for the meeting after there could be a discussion around discrimination on LGB people in public places.

L Ambrose gave a further update in respect of the Civil Partnership Fair that had been suggested as the Forum’s Annual Event.  She circulated a draft survey form that she had prepared headed up “Northampton LGB People’s Forum Civil Partnerships Survey Service Providers”.  She sought the Group’s comments on this prior to it being finalised and published.  The form was welcomed and comment made that the content was very good.  It was agreed that the group would take it away to study it further and contact L Ambrose with any other comments.  It was noted that the service provider should give indication of anyone who wanted a stand at the annual event.  Also the form could be used to register anyones  interest in this Forum also.  It was noted that the forms would be sent back to the Council and would be treated as confidential.

L Ambrose stated that the theme for next year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was “Dignity of Difference” which was aimed at highlighting people’s experiences of discrimination.  She stated that the forums were looking to collecting personal stories from local people who had experience of exclusion both in the past and the present.  It currently was a case of collecting information and following any details. 

Tom made a comment that the Hate Crime video did not have subtitles and this was probably something that needed to be looked at and also the possibility of it being produced in other languages.L.Ambrose advised that she had made a transcript for the film in relation to the recent Disability Networking Event in order that a signer could sign it at the event and she understood that there was now interest among relevant officers at NBC and Victim Support in using the transcript to help get subtitles added to the film,possibly in more than one language.

Reference was made to the distribution list for this Forum it being noted that there were very few organisations on that list.  A discussion took place as to what organisations the Group considered should be on the list.  Andrew commented that perhaps Low Down and Youth Counselling should be on and also other organisations such as CAN, Aquarius, the YMCA, and the YWCA it was felt should all be included.  Also the colleges, particularly the student services at the colleges.  It was noted that as they were organisations there was no issue with data protection and it was agreed that perhaps these organisations could be contacted with a view to seeing if they wished to be included on this Forum’s distribution list.  Also Andrew stated that in his next mailing from the Alliance he would put out a reminder that this Forum was still active and in existence and new members would be welcomed.

It was noted that there was a new access and information guide for Northampton, copies of which were available to take away.

It was noted that the Council was currently reviewing its tenant participation strategy and tenant pledge.

The Women’s Forum were holding a networking event on 20 July between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm at The Guildhall. Amongst the events the Youth Forum and the Police were involved in doing a promotion and there would also be image consultants present doing a promotion. L.Ambrose commented that if the Alliance wanted a presence there this would be welcomed.  It was noted that this was the first time the Women’s Forum had done an event of this kind.

Andrew advised that it was the annual Picnic in the Park on the August Bank Holiday Sunday. 

Andrew then referred to a recent tragic incident in which the Police had enlisted the cooperation of the LGB Alliance and Andrew wanted this placed on record for information to highlight the fact that the Alliance was sending out a positive response in cooperation with the Police following a request for help from the police to  the Alliance in dealing with such instances.

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 13 September at 6:30 pm at The Guildhall and that the dates of future meetings were Thursday 9 November, Monday 8 January, Wednesday 14 March and Wednesday 11 July.

The meeting concluded at 7:30 pm.