Agenda and minutes

ATTENDANCE: Cllr James Hill, Pauline Woodhouse, Anjona Roy, April Ventour Griffiths, Morcea Walker, Shirley Roach, Alex Rex, Tre Ventour, Sylvia Erskine, Yemi Holman, Warren Ellison, Andy Willis, Jenny Campbell, Debbie Samwell, Hannah, Cat, Liz, Jamie Wells, Debs Burns.

APOLOGIES:

Cllr James Hill welcomed all to the meeting and thanked them for attending via Zoom. Guidance notes had been issued before the meeting.  Cllr Hill also reminded members of the Code of Conduct as shown on the agenda.

Direction it will take during COVID. Windrush recap

JW gave a brief summary of the Diverse forum.

Northampton Borough Council wants to provide services that meet the needs of everyone in the community. This Forum particularly looks at the needs of the whole community in relation to race, religion, faith and/or belief.

The meeting is held around every 8 weeks, Visit the Northampton Diverse Communities Forum meeting page

JW update on events since the last meeting however due to Covid 19 events had been scaled down.

•         Virtual event Windrush – 22nd June 2020.   Event had been scaled down and would be used as a platform for 2021, working group set up for the virtual event. Documentaries, songs, poems and speeches from local residents will  shared throughout the day via the Northampton Windrush Day 2020 Facebook event  aime to celebrate, commemorate and educate communities on the leading role the Windrush Generation and their descendants have played in making Britain stronger, culturally richer and more inclusive.

•         MW shared that as well as Windrush the Carnival had also been virtual.  MW thanked Inspiration FM for their support for both events. NSB drama recorded a GCSE piece for Windrush, thanks to Nadine Robinson and the planning group.

•         AR, NRE held three events for Windrush – 1. Collaborative working with TV (Poetry), 2. Watch Party - Secret Windrush (TV and WB), 3. Short film local poets / illustrators.  Offered to promote NBCs events but had no response.  Engagement and involvement with Inspiration FM.  AR confirmed that they had secured funding to support victims (Windrush compensation funds and immigration advice).  Concern raised as events not shared.

Questions were asked where not all groups were invited to the Windrush planning event. JW advised all groups invited.

JW shared information on the funding pots both locally and nationally (links to be shared in the minutes)

• Small Grants (up to £3,000) – next closing date 11^th September 2020

https://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200260/community-funding/1937/small-grants-fund

• Partnership Grant (£3,000 - £15,000) – currently closed – review for January 2021 due to unitary. Link to process for this year.
• https://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200260/community-funding/1946/partnership-fund-grants-scheme/4

• Cleaner Green – (up to £1,000)

https://www.northampton.gov.uk/news/article/3144/grants-to-help-create-a-cleaner-and-greener-northampton

• CCF Funding – Cllr J Hill confirmed that all Cllrs had received an additional £2,000 for their ward this year due to Covid19.
• JW shared information from VIN for national funding – http://www.voluntaryimpact.org.uk/vcse-funding-c19/
• DS advised that funding was also available from OPFCC - https://www.northantspfcc.org.uk/

Concern from organisations that real issues – lack of infrastructure funding.  April asked for it to be minuted that for Windrush next year – we ALL work together, apply together.

JW advised that an application had been made jointly through the forum.  Application timeline limited, unfortunately unsuccessful this year.   April said that we need to be reaching out to our communities to ensure holistic approach, try to engage – get a bid so strong that it cannot fail.

AR stated that she had not had any call backs and had 3 events going on this year – it was very disappointment – information had not been shared.

Action: Cllr J Hill to review and feedback.

Concerns raised in respect of applications for funding - felt that Equality and Diversity are being ignored – looking for sustainability, lack of cultural ignorance.  NBC should be reaching out.

Application process – too difficult, not getting funding, giving up. MW stated that community groups – BAME were successful, if we looked at the monitoring and distribution.  We need to encourage organisations to get credentials.

Engagement – information is not being sent out – why is this still happening? Individual groups doing work.  Cllr J Hill explained how groups engage, information is shared across all 6 forums and virtual resources – “what can we do to reach out more?” Agreed we can always do better.

Alex (Northampton Community Fund) Funding link-

 http://www.ncf.uk.com/grants

www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/news-article/Bame-infra-fund

Action: Alex to share results on reports – Diverse / Equality / Inclusion.

Concern raised re the OPFCC application from – YH advised the form had changed many times – welcomed feedback and will feedback on the form. YH said that even if you have not got all the requirements still apply.

Organisations stated that more and more groups were going outside of Northamptonshire for funding.  Businesses had been given £35k Covid related – voluntary organisations should not be forgotten.

·       NCF – Northamptonshire Virtual Funding Fair 28^th – 30^th July

http://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/news-article/Bame-infra-fund

·       AR – Event for Hate Crime week 15^th October 2020 – BLM / Trans Live Matter – working with NBC

·       JC – confirmed another 5 year licence for Inspiration FM. Special thanks to MW / AR / Alex for their letters of support.  Thank you to YH and leader of the Borough council for their letters as well – nice to read what organisations thought.   Cllr Hill congratulated Inspiration FM.

·       TV – 29^th August – Poetry Event – talking about British Empire decolonisation, local acts and a speaker.  All details on Facebook page – Action: TV to share.

·       TV – Black History Month – looking for NBC support.  AR supporting. Action: Cllr J Hill to set up a meeting with TV / AR / JC

·       Cat & Liz – new writing group.  Part of the LGTBQ forum and wanting to unit – how can we improve? Joint events? Work together?

·       Sylvia (WACA) – shared thanks for the invitation to the meeting. Asked if there is an equivalent forum in Wellingborough. Action: Cllr J Hill to ask and report back.

·       DS / WE (Northampton Fire & Rescue) – asked organisations that if they had any events that they wanted them to be involved in to please email and make contact.

Police service around DV

-        Stop & Search – see notes next meeting

-        LGBTQ understanding