Agenda and minutes

Community Co-Chair of the Forum Barry Hansford introduced himself and everyone introduced themselves.

People at the meeting included representatives of Northampton Outlaws Rugby Football Club, Deafconnect, Lesbian Line, Steven from Northampton Pride and Matthew Toresen (FAN Northants and Northampton Volunteering Centre).

Ben King sent his apologies in advance of the meeting. However, he was able to attend for the first 20 minutes of today’s meeting.

Ben King provided an update on his current activities and forthcoming plans.

Ben is involved in the Healthier Together review of local hospital provision. Ben urged people from LGBTQ communities to contribute to the review, as it will have a fundamental impact on the provision of local health services.

OPEN has £1,200 remaining in its account and consideration needs to be given what to do with this money. Ben would like ideas from LGBTQ organisations on how to spend the money, ideally, he would like local LGBTQ to benefit from the funds. Please contact Ben on b.king@hotmail.co.uk with ideas.

Ben outlined some of the work of trade union UNISON. He said that the union was working to recruit more members from LGBTQ communities, and that it did much for LGBTQ people such as organising specific events and taking part in Pride events across the country.

Ben spoke about the East Midlands LGBTQ Network. They meet quarterly at various places in the East Midlands region, which covers Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The next meeting is in Nottingham at 1.30pm on 25 September. Further details are available from Ben.

Barry thanked Ben for the support he has provided to LGBTQ communities in the past.

Everyone agreed that the notes of the last meeting were accurate and fair.

Artist Gerald Porter contacted Anna King at the beginning of the summer holiday, and expressed his willingness to work with members of Northampton’s forums. His specialism is local history, and he asks whether anyone is interested in working on a project with him. Gerald will provide his time free of charge, and only asks for re-imbursement of the costs of his material.

It was suggested that a three dimensional piece of artwork that relates to Northampton’s shoemaking tradition could be produced. This could have a link with the “kinky boots” theme that has done so much to raise the recent profile of the town.

The next stage is to invite Gerald Porter to come to discuss proposals, and possibly carry out a project over two or three days.

Sheltered Housing Review: Changes are being proposed to sheltered housing services. There are currently three levels of support, with a low degree of flexibility. Only sheltered housing tenants can access support at present.

The proposals seek to expand the provision of the service to the wider community, with the aim of encouraging independence. A system of flexible support is proposed, support which reflects clients’ changing circumstances. The service will be open to everyone.

The proposals recognise that the network of community rooms is currently under-utilised. Consideration will be given whether to open them up to wider community use, and developing their use in supporting people.

The twelve week consultation period ends on 24 September 2012. The consultation has included an on-line survey (over 1000 responses), various events and a presence at Forums such as this. In addition, there is a dedicated phone line.

Housing Allocations Review: Ian Swift, Housing Solution Manager outlined proposals for changes to the Housing Allocations Policy.

The current council housing waiting list contains nearly 10,000 people, with over 500 people in an emergency category. The numbers waiting for accommodation is increasing, and with the council only able to allocate around 1000 people per year, most people on the waiting list do not have any realistic chance of being housed by the local authority, particularly those on the lower priority bands. Currently, around 100 “affordable” units are being built each year, while the council receives 500 applications every month. Lettings are reducing due to the economic circumstances; there is relatively little movement in accommodation with an increased number of applications.

The Localism Act has given the council more flexibility in managing the housing waiting list. The proposals include removing Bands C and D, which in practice, are currently not being offered housing. A new system of priorities will be introduced, including people who do community and voluntary work and people leaving the armed services.

There are proposals for tenancy checks before being allowed to join the register, and potential tenants may be excluded if they have caused damage to properties, or have been convicted of committing hate crimes, or for people who have arrears in their rent.

It is proposed that, in the event of a prospective tenant refusing three property offers, they will be excluded from the housing register for twelve months.

One of the effects of the potential changes will be to reduce the housing register from nearly 10,000 to around 4,500. Part of this will be achieved by concentrating on the highest priority bands.

The extensive consultation has included: speaking at forums, fifty drop-in sessions, 30 sessions within the community and focus groups. The consultation ends on 23 October.

Q: Will people who are victims of hate crime be treated as an emergency?

A: A specific hate crime officer has been recruited to provide specialist advice to victims of hate crime.

Q: Will the housing service maintain its “champion” status?

A: The service has several accreditations, including by the Albert Kennedy Trust. Furthermore, a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Mayor has confirmed his attendance, as have the Youth Forum. Space has been booked in the Guildhall Courtyard and the Court Room.

The Forum discussed ideas for commemorating the day. These included:

• Floodlighting the Guildhall or other public buildings in red;
• Involving the Big Red Bus;
• Projecting messages to lost relatives / friends on buildings or pavements.

Matthew Toresen has agreed to contact SOLAR about their involvement in the event

1.    COMMUNITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Lindsey Ambrose: On behalf of the Forum, Barry Hansford would like to formally record thanks to Lindsey Ambrose for her excellent work in supporting the LGBTQ Forum.

Northampton Pride event: Steven outlined his vision for a Northampton Pride event. He is keen to hold a major event, and would like to set up a committee to take this forward.

Q: Would the deaf community be involved in the planning and implementation of Northampton Pride?

A: Yes, the event needs to be inclusive.

Comment: Would it be possible to extend an existing event, rather than start a new event from scratch? Experience from other Pride events show that they started reasonably modestly, and grew into significant events over time.

Comment: Perhaps the Umbrella Fair can be extended to create a Pride event?

Comment: The FAN strategy involved a slow build-up; this recognised the challenges in engaging with the LGBTQ community. Support needs to be built up over time, it takes many years to develop a well-supported and successful Pride event, and it may be more appropriate to build this on an existing event such as the Umbrella Fair.

Comment: if the Pride event does go ahead, FAN will support it.

Comment: An Umbrella Fair Pride committee is needed. Based on existing activities and existing events, this would mean lower initial costs. Links could be made with other LGBTQ groups.

Steven: Would like to establish a committee to move this forward.

Matthew: Northampton Volunteering Centre works with voluntary and community organisations to help develop their governance. NVC can offer advice to a Pride committee.

Northampton Outlaws RFC: Promoted as “Northampton’s Gay Friendly Rugby Club”, the club has twenty regular attendees. The club needs to develop, with a permanent venue and issues such as insurance need to be organised. At the moment, the club trains at Abington Park on Sunday afternoons. It is currently in the process of affiliating with the Rugby Football Union.

The club is inclusive – open to all. Currently 70% of its members are from the LGBT communities.

Comment: The club could apply for a range of local funding, including Northampton County Council’s Councillor Empowerment Fund, the Borough Council’s Councillor Community Fund, and the Borough Council’s Partnership Fund.

Q: If girls / women want to play rugby, who can they contact?

A: The can contact Richard at Outlaws on outlawsrfc@hotmail.co.uk. Further information can be found on the club’s website: www.outlawsrfc.co.uk. Participants should be 18 years or older.

Booqfest Northampton: The Booqfest book festival took place in Northampton on 14 – 16 September. Overall, the event was a success. Whilst some events were under-supported, the support for others exceeding expectations. 65 people were present at the event launch. It is planned to run a similar event next year.

Tickled Pink Comedy Night: Organised by FAN, this event will take place at the Charles Bradlaugh on 19 October. If over 100 people attend, FAN will not be charged for venue hire. Access is by ticket  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Update on World Aids Day activities

The next meet of LGBTQ Forum is scheduled for Tuesday 13 November at 6.30pm in the Holding Room, Guildhall.