Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Barry (Co-chair) and Alice Morgan

Vicki Rockall – Cllr Hadland, sent his apologies to the meeting, but offered the following feedback to a couple of issues that were raised at the last forum, including;

The Business Incentive Scheme is designed to help and sustain businesses. I would not expect new businesses to take space that is too large for their immediate needs, so that surplus space is unlikely.

We are constantly keeping Car Park charges under review, and will take the comments concerning all day parking on board. The free parking offer is designed to bring shoppers and other customers into the Town Centre, to support business in the Town Centre.

Vicki Rockall – with regards to World Aids day and allowing a later time for the ceremony, was raised with the leader. The feedback was why don’t we do both, as a result this has been added to the Forums action plans.

Vicki Rockall – Monument concept discussed with the Cabinet member, Cllr Eldred – who was happy to consider – request for the forum to develop some ideas

ACTION: To give some thought to the creation of a monument. 

Cllr King - Met with Ian Bates, Matthew, Vicki and Alice – discussed the idea of a bigger area at the Umbrella fair this year – further meeting to take place in the coming weeks.

ACTION: Cllr King to arrange a further planning meeting

Confirmation that all have seen the events calendar and that it has been added to the website. Agreed that this is a document that needs to be constantly updating, it will help to develop events and project ideas and should be updated and brought to each of the forum meetings.

Ben – issue with the website and how easy the search facility is, is this something that Northampton Borough Council are looking at? Also can we ensure the calendar is easy to find/access.

Vicki – there is a general events page – which is ran by our Communications Team, some of our events have been extracted onto this.

ACTION: Cllr King explore the website and ease of the search facility

The forum developed a draft set of action plans, which include;

1.    International Day Against Homophobia – to include a civic event at midday in the Guildhall Courtyard and a small networking event in the evening 

-          Successful event last year, civic ceremony worked well, build on last year by arranging an evening event.

-          Civic ceremony in the day and something similar to Valentines event at NN Café ,Vicki to do e-flier  - Ben – lanyards and wristbands to distribute to Police, NBC, NCC.

ACTION: Vicki to arrange civic event

ACTION: Matthew to lead the evening event

2.    Umbrella Fair – increased presence by the LGBTQ Forum, a commitment from forum members to be involved

3. International Coming Out Day – join up with Booqfest – launch inspirational LGBTQ award

-          Utilise the Museum for International Coming out day, run workshops (including booqfest), entertainment and stalls from organisations from 11-3pm on Saturday 11th October 14 – opportunity to promote at an event being run at the Picturedrome on Friday 10th October which FAN are arranging.

ACTION: Cllr King to explore the use of the Museum and see if BBC would like to support the Inspirational LGBTQ award

4. World Aids Day – to include a civic event at midday in the Guildhall Courtyard and an event in the evening

Anjona highlighted that the 18^th October – international day of remembrance of hate crime –could we coincide with International Coming Out Day (organisation in London 17-24-30) have used the date to raise awareness of hate crime.

International Coming Out Day – Paul Berson – runs a salon in London, key guest speakers – touring Friday 10^th October – running two salons at the Picturedrome .

See Action Plan

Daniel - Q-Film has been running for 2 months – meet once a month, the second Monday of each month. And Book Group meets the last Thursday in the month.

Details: Qfilm.webs.com and ngbg.webs.com, Film Group meet at (Erin Flynn Film House) and the Book Group (Lamplighter) – tickets can be booked online - £7.50 for the film tickets

ACTION: All to promote to contacts and networks

Rob – encouragement from the police for any reports of hate crime

Jeanette - Lesbian line – wed drop in – women’s aid, hazelwood road 7.30-9.30pm – planning events for the summer – looking at a trip to Brighton

Anjona – Northampton Rights and Equality Council - Monthly pro-bono advice for family law and discrimination advice held 3^rd Monday in every month.

Hate crime Sessions will be held on 9^th April in Wellingborough – 16^th June – Fundraiser event. Also, NREC are looking at a joint fundraiser with SOLAR on a Monday night with food and entertainment. NREC will also have involvement in Rainbow Bridge Festival – 28^th June – event to promote diversity. The NREC AGM is on 19^th July. All the above information can be found on Northampton Rights and Equality Council website

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 20^th May.