Minutes: January 2005

Present: Matthew, Tony, Jane, Helen, Gary
Apologies: Robin, Sue, Nick, Christine, Cllr Dart

Minutes of Last Meeting (8th December 2004)

5.1 Tony felt this needed more clarification regarding voting rules whereby anyone can speak but they must attend at least 3 coalition meetings within 6 months, before they can vote.

Matters Arising

Cllr Thompson has been off sick, therefore unable to investigate the siting of the portable toilet by the Mail Coach Pub. Helen will ring Barrie next week.

Helen to arrange to meet with Gillian Morris

Full Colour Advertisements. Matthew informed the group that he spoke to Council Officers who did not think this an appropriate way to spend the budget. Jane to seek clarification on spending the budget at the Link Worker’s meeting scheduled next week. Gary pointed out that in the terms of reference, the LGBT need to promote its views, but how can they do that if not allowed to advertise it’s meetings in the media?

Jane informed the group that Gillian Morris has informed us that to merge LGBT and the Hate Crime Forum, there must be a formal process agreed by the Council and its members. Jane will formally ask Gillian to attend the next meeting to clarify all aspects of coalition business.

Gary asked if the rest of the LGBT budget could finance True Vision Packs (challenging homophobia) before April 05? He also asked if there are any leaflets that could be purchased regarding gay women’s health? To be discussed with Gillian.

Hate Crime Forum - No report submitted

Finance Report for LGBT and HCF - to be collated for February’s meeting.

Planning for Annual General Meeting - January 2005

Gillian will be the guest speaker, followed by the Annual Report, Financial Statement, terms of reference and election of Chair and Vice Chair.

Terms of Reference

General discussion and suggested amendments enclosed within these minutes. The Budget and the proposed merger between Hate Crime Forum and LGBT still to be developed. These have been drafted by the Coalition, but need to be approved by the Council.

Holocaust Day – 27th January 2005

Lifelong Learning have organised a brief ceremony at the Cenotaph, Regents Circus at 11:30 am followed by a gathering at the Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, 12:00 noon. Invitation attached.

LGBT History Month

Enclosed is an introduction to the UK’s first ever LGBT History Month, coming in February 2005. The website www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk has a complete list of organised events being held in the country.

Any Other Business

LGBT "Gay Issue" was discussed at the November meeting. The task group were unable to meet as scheduled. Gary suggested that Neill would put together the Leaflet but will need articles from members as soon as possible. Suggestions for articles:

Adoption and Fostering – Jane to ask Paula and Julie
Syphilis – Gary
World Aids Day – Matthew
Civil Partnership – Jane
Drugs Survey – Gary
Gay Police Initiative – Gary
Homophobic Survey – Jane to ask Dean

Articles to be sent to Neill by 1st of February.

Link Worker

Jane announced that she will cease to be Link Worker for the LGBT from 31st March 2005. Her current post of Assistant Grants Monitoring Officer for the Community and Development Team has been deleted and she will be leaving the Council. However, she will continue to be involved with the Coalition as a member of the public.

BNP

The British National Party will be putting up a candidate in Swindon for the General Election this year. Allegedly, they will be promoting racist and anti Gay attitudes.

Swindon Borough Council has received a letter from Wiltshire Police, Community and Race Relations on the outcome of complaints received by the LGBT Community of homophobic literature distributed by an individual. The Crown Prosecution Service felt it was inappropriate to prosecute, however the individual has accepted his actions were inappropriate. The general feeling from the group was of disappointment.

Next meeting:
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 9th February 2005 7pm in CR2