Minutes: December 2005
Wednesday 14th December 2005
1. Present
Helen, Chris, Ken, Cllr Dart, Robin Stannard – Wilts Police, Kati – SBC
1. Apologies
Kathleen, Nick
Helen said she wanted to record a potential conflict of interest, as she is now Chair of Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS).
Helen said that we need a recruitment drive – where is everybody?
3. Minutes of the last meeting and Matters Arising
The minutes of last meeting were agreed.
Matters arising
Helen has distributed the Civil Partnership leaflets and had asked Karen how many couples have registered to have a ceremony on the first available day? Karen advised that 20 couples have registered, half are female couples – half are male. They are expecting more. The feedback about civil partnerships has been good.
Update on the website - Helen has tried to contact Lee but has not been successful.
ACTION: Could Kathleen make contact via Matthew?
Helen advised that she had asked for £50 from the Coalition budget for World Aids’ Day but got no response. The event was however successful and about 20 people turned up. Could put it on the agenda next time.
4. EAF Meeting feedback and Issues to be raised at EAF Interim Meeting.
The dates of these meetings are bad for Helen as she attends a Health Service meeting that coincides.
The group was asked to comment on the budget and how LGBT money was spent. The group said they haven’t seen any finance sheets and asked what has been spent. Helen said different coalitions received different budgets already and that priorities have changed for the coalitions.
The group aren’t sure what is being spent but basically the money goes on – room hire; refreshments; interpreters; website; travelling expenses and AGM.
An event would be welcomed but there are difficulties with that, namely:
- limitations of budget;
- not enough support for an event in Swindon;
- have considered a PRIDE in Swindon but within the LGBT community there is a culture of travelling to PRIDE events outside your own community.
Other events that could be adopted are World AIDS day or Holocaust day 16th January?
The Coalition had been asked to answer three questions about the Council’s promise 6:
Question 1: Is achieving the different levels a true measure of how the public receives our services from an equalities point of view? Response was: No.
Question 2: Can you tell what level the Council has reached by the way they are treated? Response was: No.
Question 3: Is there a different approach to achieving this Promise that they wish to consider and if there is, what would that approach look like?
Responses:
In everything the Council does with it’s internal staff market and interaction with the public it serves, respect for diversity should be the golden thread that binds the public, staff and Council together. It’s not about stages and ticking boxes, it’s about walking the walk and talking the talk. It’s about what you do with everyone you deal with.
Possible misrepresentation of groups is a concern – who knows what LGBT stand for?
In delivery of service there is a misunderstanding that one size fits all. In fact, at times, some clients/individuals will need more care in service delivery.
5. Report of the Hate Crime Forum – Robin Stannard
You might recall my last update concerning Homophobic Hate Crime for the first quarter of this recordable year (Apr 05-Jun 05) revealed a detection rate of 44.44% on the 7 reported crimes. Detections have risen to 71.43% with the charge being preferred in a further case, whilst the remaining 2 have been marked up as detected rule H. During this period there was one Transphobic crime reported which remains undetected at this time.
The second quarter (Jul 05-Sep 05) saw 7 homophobic crimes reported against 10 during the same period in 04, a drop of 30%. Currently none have been marked as detected, however, the offender is known in 5 (71.43%) of those cases. No Transphobic crimes or incidents were reported this quarter.
A total of 5 Crime Related Incidents were reported during this period, up 2 (66.66%) from the 3 reported during 04. Whilst non crime incidents fell from 3 to 1.
So far this year a total of 20 homophobic hate crimes have been recorded 5 detected (25%) with 9 (45%) currently rule H. A further 2 Transphobic hate crimes have been reported since October.
Rule H – No Further Action by police due to there being insufficient admissible evidence to charge but the offender is known. This also covers incidents where the victim does not wish for a prosecution.
A CRI is where it is suspected that a crime has been committed but:
- The alleged victim (or person acting on their behalf ie third party reporting) declines to confirm this, or
- The alleged victim (or person acting on their behalf) cannot be traced, or
- The incident is reported by a third party other than the alleged victim
AND
In any of these cases there is no supporting evidence, to show on the balance of probabilities that a crime occurred.
Non crime incident – an incident that does not meet National Crime Recording Standards criteria to be recorded a crime or CRI.
A Gay Policing Initiative event is planned for Saturday 25 March 2006 at the Bear Hotel, Devizes. More details as they become available.
Nationally there is potential for disruption when Civil Partnership ceremonies begin on 21 December 2005. Sources suggest that many couples are planning to have ceremonies on the day. There is a rumour of disorder by anti gay groups, but nothing specific at this time. If you are made aware of any rumours circulating in the Borough area I would like to know ASAP. Even for events outside of the Borough.
Robin said he was happy (not for the victims) that people from the transgender community were starting to have enough trust and confidence to start recording incidents.
Gay Police initiative:
An opportunity for the LGBT community to have a direct input into policing strategy and influence on operational policing matters for their area.
6. Correspondence
Details of the civil partnership workshop were passed to Helen who was interested but was concerned that the event would impact on the budget.
The idea of reaching out to young people via a student magazine was approved despite a small cost. Could we invite the college magazine editor to attend a meeting? Youth views would be welcomed at the coalitions.
ACTION: Kati to pursue.
Community website details were distributed.
Issues Sheet feedback:
Response viewed as “a bit of a cop out” because all details should be documented. Soon reporting homophobic incidents will be law. Couldn’t we start before it’s law – be an example of good practice and find out how big the problem really is?
6. Any Other Business
Equalities seminar has been pencilled in for 19th of January.
ACTION: Kathleen to let everyone know specifics as soon as possible.
Suggestions for Speakers the group would like to invite were the new Directors, Celia Carrington who has done a lot for equalities; and also ask Gillian for ideas.
Helen and Kathleen to discuss budget.
Recruitment drive for new members, including young people who are not represented here.
Concerns about venues for LGBT community, the Cricketers and The Mail Coach were discussed.
Robin talked about the launch of True Vision, LGBT and Race packs. Opportunities for bar staff, third party incident reporting in Town centre and hopefully Old Town.
7. Dates of future meetings:
2006
7-9pm, Wednesday 8 February: CR2, Civic Offices
7-9pm, Wednesday 12 April: CR1, Civic Offices
7-9pm, Wednesday 14 June; CR2, Civic Offices
7-9pm, Wednesday 9 August: CR2, Civic Offices
7-9pm, Wednesday 11 October: CR2, Civic Offices
7-9pm, Wednesday 13 December: CR2, Civic Offices
