Agenda and minutes

Everyone present introduced themselves in turn.

Apologies for absence were received from Gillian at NLGBA.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2008 were agreed.

It was noted that Lisa Knight, a member of the County Council’s HIV and Sexual Health Team was present to speak on World Aids Day.

Councillor Church advised that with regard to Becketts Park Improvement Work it was anticipated that a report on the proposed master plan would be submitted to Cabinet around October.  In response to a query he undertook to see if he could get an update with regard to whether there were any further proposals in terms of a floating restaurant at Midsummer Meadow.

At this juncture Lisa Knight of the County Council’s HIV and Sexual Health Team made a presentation in terms of her work with World Aids Day and her work on the Sexual Health Team generally.  She stated that she had previously worked for the Terence Higgins Trust and therefore been involved with World Aids Day etc previously.  She stated that she wanted to put on a local event and that this year marked the 20^th anniversary of World Aids Day.  The purpose was to raise awareness of HIV.  She added that in Northampton  the number of people with HIV was on the increase and therefore it was important to raise the profile of this and it was hoped to do so via some community activity. This should bring together groups by finding out who was doing what and therefore Lisa thought it would be a good idea to come to this group as a starter and to gather information and ideas for a way forward.  She stated that she had approached various organisations and buildings in the town including the Guildhall and Derngate to see whether they would be prepared to get involved with the event.  One idea was for the buildings to light up in red to engage with the public and as a red theme continuing on from the red ribbons.  However the Guildhall were unable to do this as it clashed with another event.  She was due to have a meeting with Derngate and would be contacting other businesses and would welcome any ideas and feedback on this accordingly.  She stated that she had a very limited budget.  L Ambrose suggested contacting Northampton Town Football Club as they might be prepared to launch some campaign at one of their home games as they had in the past.  Councillor Church suggested pursuing whether the World Aids flag could be flown from the Guildhall flagpole.

Ellie suggested that perhaps Roadmender and other clubs might wish to get involved and whether some of the streets in the town such as Abington Street could be decorated in some way.  Paul Crofts the Equality Officer for students was also given as a contact.  It was also suggested that perhaps the Borough Council’s Youth Forum could get involved in some way.  Other areas suggested included the Guildhall foyer and the Market Square.  Lisa stated that she would leave leaflets with Forum members with contact numbers and to liaise with her in terms of any further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

It was noted that Andrew Bewers who had been a regular and valued member of this Forum since its conception had moved from Northampton.  Members of the Forum paid tribute to Andrew and his work for the NLGB community commenting that his work and efforts had been vital to the activities of this Forum and it was agreed that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent to him on behalf of Northampton Borough Council’s LGB Forum.

It was noted that a discussion on this would take place at a future meeting.

It was noted that as far as the NLGBA were aware The Boston Clipper was still regarded as a gay venue.  It was noted that various NLGBA events were being organised and that details of these would be available through the NLGBA offices.

At this juncture members of the Forum watched a DVD regarding Anne Frank.  A draft schedule of activities listed for the Anne Frank Festival was also circulated for information.  It was noted that 18 October marked the start of Local Democracy Week and that on 18 October there was a Local Democracy Week celebration event from 10.00am to 3.00pm headed “Free to Choose Human Rights Debate” which had been facilitated by the Anne Frank Trust UK.  The event was free and would be held at the Guildhall.

It was noted that the forthcoming weekend marked a series of Heritage Open Days and that the Youth Forum would be facilitating guided tours around the Guildhall on Sunday 14 September.  Full details of the various events taking place were advertised on the internet.

The meeting concluded at 8.15pm.