Agenda and minutes

Apologies received from Rachel Conlon (Nene CCG), Debbie Lole (Nene CCG), Steve Bedford (Northamptonshire Police, Corinna Flynn (Sexual Health Outreach, NHFT).

Minutes of the last meeting agreed as a true record.

Rachel Conlon sent apologies to the meeting due to illness.

Debbie Lole sent apologies to the meeting due to ill health. John provided an update on behalf of Debbie.

Nene CCG is holding a ‘Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing’ event in April. ACTION: Once details are finalised, John to send a poster to Alice to circulate to forum members.

Steve Bedford sent his apologies due to illness.

Steve did send through the following update for the group:

·         The Police have adopted a working hate crime strategy but we are now working with statutory and 3rd sector partners across the county to develop a countywide partnership strategy.

·         The strategy will encompass the 5 personal characteristics defined in legislation and also the 6th characteristic of “difference” recommended by the College of Policing.

·         Northamptonshire County Council Engagement Team will be organising further consultation on the partnership strategy during April – any representatives or organisations that want to be involved can forward their details to me.

·         Key to the plans for the county is involvement from 3rd sector partners:  to act as 3rd party action or signposting centres (for reports of hate incidents/crimes), contribute to partnership training, facilitate restorative practise meetings (e.g. delegate for a victim), mystery shopping exercises, etc.  – any volunteers or anyone wanting to know more please get in touch.

Sam from Northamptonshire Police Spectrum group advised forum attendees that the Chief has asked for nominations for local engagement officers from within the force.  These officers will work closely with the existing Police Community Engagement Officers, other staff and third sector partners; provide training and advice to staff dealing with hate crime; and quality checking how hate crime and incidents are being dealt with.

Forum attendees discussed that the key is ensuring the public have confidence to report. It was agreed that more reassurance is required. A forum attendee shared that in the past he reported a hate incident, but did not get a response from the Police. Sam (Spectrum), asked for those who have had a similar experience of reporting to share them with him, if they would like to, so that he can see how common it is that incidents are not followed up, and why it is the case.

ACTION: Invite Steve Bedford to give an update at the next meeting.

Hate Crime

AM gave an overview of the results of the Hate Crime Survey.

ACTION: Survey to be pushed up to the end of April for more responses. All forum attendees to support with pushing out to networks.

Forum attendees discussed what action can be taken following the survey results to help change the picture. It was suggested that forum representatives are trained to become ‘Champions’ on hate crime reporting and the channels people can use.

ACTION: Vicki/Alice, Cllr Anna King, and Matt to arrange a meeting with Steve Bedford and Anjona Roy (NREC) about how we can take this forward, before the next meeting.

IDAHO

Tuesday 17 May 2016. Theme for this year is Mental Health and Wellbeing. This year, there will be a civic event once again in the Courtyard of the Guildhall.

Umbrella Fair

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 August 2016. We will be organising an LGBTQ tent again this year. We require more input, support and involvement from forum members, so please come along and get involved!

International Coming Out Day

Tuesday 11 October 2016. Plans are still being developed – to be discussed further at the next meeting.

·         Matthew is looking to arrange a half day conference at the end of May, in association with Northamptonshire County Council’s Fostering and Adoption Unit. Matthew is trying to gauge numbers that would be interested in such an event – if you are interested please email Matthew on Matthew.Toresen@voluntaryimpact.org.uk .

·         Lesbian Line – Now just meeting twice a month as they are down on volunteers. Currently applying for funding to support the organisation. Still running a quiz every other week, and hold meals once a month which are popular.

·         Spectrum – have an outreach and social budget, and would like to push out any events to its members.

·         Q Word meets the last Thursday of every month.

·         Q Film meets on the second Monday of every month at Errol Flynn, followed by the mail coach.

·         Gay Outdoor Club runs in Milton Keynes, and does walks around the East Midlands and Northamptonshire.

·         Outlaws – have been around for 4 years. Inclusive in the widest sense so would like to branch out to other groups. They have now elected a social secretary to the committee. They want to look at different events in the town, branch out to other organisations and groups, and be more social.

o   Saturday 9 April – Outlaws Birthday

o   Fancy Dress Rugby – to highlight inclusive rugby – is being organised, and will be inviting other local and inclusive teams. Aim to change attitudes in the game.

o   Representatives from the Outlaws will be going to the World Cup for Inclusive Rugby in Nashville this year.

o   Suggested involvement of the forum as a whole in the Town Show, Carnival, and other wider events.

§  Action: Matt to speak to Morcea Walker about Carnival

§  Action: Cllr King to look into having a space at the Town Show.

Tuesday 10 May – Social meeting – location to be confirmed

Tuesday 19 July – Holding Room, The Guildhall

All meetings are held 6:30-8:30pm

The next meeting will be a social meeting on Tuesday 10th May starting at 6.30pm in The Mailcoach, 8, Derngate, Northampton, NN1 1UB.

The next formal meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 19^th July, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Holding Room, the Guildhall.