Minutes: April 2005

Present: Gary, Christine, Robin, Gillian Morris (SBC), Kathleen Daley (SBC)

Apologies: Sue, Jane, Matthew, Cllr Doreen Dart

Gillian Morris opened the meeting, introduced herself and explained her role. She then advised that Kathleen would be providing admin support for the LGBT. As far as a new Link Worker was concerned Gillian said they were unlikely to be part of their community. A new Community Development Worker has been appointed but if the Women’s Coalition is willing to change their meeting day, she will be working with them.

Minutes of Last Meeting:

Gillian asked about the LGBT and HCF amalgamation. Gary advised that it had been decided on because the same people were attending both meetings and dealing with the same issues. Following discussion it was agreed that the LGBT and the Hate Crime Forum would both meet bi-monthly on alternate months.

Gary asked for clarification on how the Coalition budget could be spent. He said he had come up with ideas for spending the money but every time was told he couldn’t spend it, eg publicity adverts in the press to get people to the meetings.

Gillian advised that the budget was to be used to enable meetings to happen and could be used for any costs relating to that. It could also be used for events and publicity, like the LGBT website, anything that suited their community. She was not sure about press advertising but there was nothing against spending their budget on leaflets or brochures. She suggested taking space within the Swindon News. There had been a problem with the budget because it was given in error to another Organisation.

Gary asked how they were going to set the agendas and work programmes, so they did not miss out on items such as the consultation on the Youth Strategy that was coming up very soon. Gillian said it was not an ideal situation but it didn’t matter which agenda items was put on as long as everyone had the minutes from both meetings.

Robin asked about the qualifying period for membership to allow someone to vote. Gillian said there used to be a membership system for Coalitions, people either attended as a representative of an organisation or as an individual. Perhaps this needed to be looked at to try and get some standard across the Coalitions. Gillian asked if the LGBT had representatives who attend the EAF Interim meetings and Christine said that she and Helen normally went. Gillian said they should take issues to this meeting that might be common to the other Coalitions eg Terms of Reference.

Gillian said she would be interested to know if the LGBT were planning an event. Gary said there was World Aid’s Day but even though they get involved they have to be careful because Aids could be seen just as a gay men’s disease, which is not the case. PRIDE events take place in different areas but Cardiff is the largest, though Brighton is popular. The Holocaust Memorial Day is an event they could be involved in but the timescale this year was very short. They would need to take their time and get organised. Gary said it was important that they celebrated with all the other groups as a whole range of people suffered, as well as Jews. Gillian said to leave this on the agenda and when the Link Worker is in place it could be looked at again.

Gary said in Salisbury where they have a carnival each year diversity leaflets were printed and they wondered if diversity events would be better. Gillian said this was something that could go to the EAF interim meeting as a suggestion.

Report on Hate Crime: (Robin Stannard)

Robin advised the meeting that the Homophobic Hate Crime/Incidents had been compiled for the year ending 31st March 2005. The total number of reported incidents for the year was 40. Of those incidents, 25 were recorded as crimes of which 9 were detected (36%) and a further 15 (60%) marked up as undetected rule E where the offender was known but the matter did not proceed to court either because the victim did not support this action or there was insufficient admissible evidence to proceed. The remaining crime was not detected nor was a suspect identified.

This compares with the previous year, ending 31st March 2004 when a total of 19 incidents were reported, including 12 crimes of which 4 (33%)were detected whilst all the remaining 8 (66%)were finalised as undetected rule E (Offender known).

It is encouraging that more people are prepared to report incidents and crime, up 6 (31.6%), to the police whilst the detection rate is up 3% (33% to 36%). Unfortunately the LGBT community is still under reporting crimes perpetrated against it. There is still a great deal of work needed to improve this situation to a point where members of the community feel able and confident in reporting offences against them."

Any Other Business

• Gillian asked if she and Anne Fisher could attend the next LGBT meeting to talk about the consultation on the new grants criteria and three year funding. She said she would send the paperwork in advance so members would have a chance to read it.

• It was agreed Kathleen would invite Bob Basley to attend the June meeting on behalf of Hilary Pitts to speak on the following points:
  1. Do teachers receive training to challenge homophobic bullying in schools?
  2. Is True Vision available in schools?
  3. Would schools or the Education Department have any objection to recording homophobic bullying?
  4. If a young person ‘comes out’ what support is given to them? Is there guidance and if so, what is the guidance?
  5. What support is available for staff suffering homophobic bullying, teaching and non-teaching?

• Gary advised that at the next LGBT meeting he wished to present a piece of work about ‘Drug Use among Gay Men’ funded through the Government. He is already working with Glenys Armstrong and the Drug Team on this but wants to make it public through this meeting. He will need a powerpoint presentation.

• Gary advised that Wiltshire Constabulary are developing new policies on Gender Realignment and Transgender issues. He hopes it will go out to consultation, as it will have a big impact on Local Authorities. Became law on 1 April – Gender Realignment Legislation.
   
  ACTION: Issue Sheet to be raised with HR Department asking if guidance has been given to staff regarding this new Gender Realignment Legislation and what policies they have in place. Also raise with Legal Department.

• Another piece of legislation is the Civil Partnership Legislation that will come into force next December. This has already been an agenda item. Gillian said that it was through this Coalition that housing had changed its policy.

• Christine said the Equalities Legislation has left them out. She also said it is not always women who are abused and Gary said recent research backed that up and he will bring a copy along to the next meeting.

• Gary advised that Gay Men’s Health have a large amount of information books that would be useful for Education Departments. He will provide Gillian with a list of books they have and how to access them.

• Robin said the Hate Crime Forum did not have the list of members for circulation so Gillian advised him to send the papers to Kathleen and she will circulate them.

• Gary advised that on 11 May the author of the survey the LGBT had done at the end of last year - ‘Swindon’s Gay Community Speaks Out’ will be presenting his report. (Gary asked for a copy of the report). It was agreed to invite the Night Time Economy Group and ETG.
   
  Some of the ideas from this report would form the basis for both the LGBT and Hate Crime Forum’s programme of work. It suggests things that needed to be addressed in the next twelve months.

• Neither the Hate Crime Forum budget nor the LGBT Coalition budget were yet known.

Dates of next meetings:
Hate Crime Forum: 11 May, 7-9, Civic Offices CR2
LGBT: 8 June, 7-9, Civic Offices CR2