Agenda and draft minutes

Attended: Matthew Toresen (chair), Aimee (WNC), Lindsay (WNC), Phil, Kelly (Lowdown), Nikki (NDAS), Christian (Police Community Engagement).

Apologies received from Paul (NCT), Tish (NBCT),

Matthew welcomed all to the meeting after a few technical glitches with the hybrid set up.

All agreed previous minutes correct.

Aimee carried an action to follow up with Say It Loud who failed to attend last meeting for their agenda item. No response to follow up emails. Group agreed to cease chasing.

No feedback received regarding the NDAS policy so assumption is that there are no issues with this.

Standing agenda item.

Informed that Zach is now working on a project for LGBTQ+ people of colour, through Support Northamptonshire. Forum would be keen to know more about the project and request to add to the next agenda.

Pride 2023 Feedback survey https://forms.office.com/e/WCvUaaE3dx

Aimee shared some top lines from the Pride feedback survey so far;

77% were happy to have the event held on the Uni campus

21% would prefer the event back in the town centre

50% of respondent rated the event 5/5, with average score of 4.3/5. No one rated the event under a 3 star which is really positive.

The main highlights included the range of stalls and entertainment. Other key points included the ‘festival vibe’, green space and picnic seating, parade and activities.

The areas for biggest improvement was Food as there was a distinct lack of availability/selection. Aimee explained that we had several vendors pull out last minute and some who did not show up on the day without cancelling which was extremely frustrating as the University food hall did not open because of the good number of vendors booked to attend. The committee is taking the action that these vendors will not be approved for future Pride events and a food vendor charge will be in place from next year to help mitigate this issue.

Publicity was also mentioned as needing some improvement. We would welcome some feedback about how we can promote the event better in future.

The parade is another area that the committee has agreed needs some improvement in the planning and delivery for next year.

The committee are currently working to establish the date of Pride 2024 so that it can be in the calendars early and sponsorship confirmed at the earliest possible stage to allow for better planning.

Please do encourage anyone who attended to complete the survey. This will remain open until Monday 14 August.
https://forms.office.com/e/WCvUaaE3dx

Action plan reviewed and items updated.
Aimee to circulate with minutes.

Aimee explained that a Night Time Economy report had been produced as part of the Safer Streets 4 funding led by the OPFCC. One of the recommendations includes completing a research piece looking at the current nightlife offer for the LGBTQ+ community (along with some other community groups/demographics) and what is wanted/needed.

Suggestion to group that we look to support this piece of work through the forum. Agreed to add to action plan.

Action: All to consider the questions that need to be asked, or that you would want to be asked as part of this piece of work and feed in to Aimee before the social meeting late September.

Deanshanger Pride – 12 August, 2pm at Deanshanger Sports Club.
Poster and information attached.

Current Museum exhibitions include BFG, 8 paintings from around the world, and the Lego exhibition. At the end of September there will be a Punk exhibition.

Lowdown – lots planned for their youth groups including residential to Birmingham, creative writing project with QStory and ‘no outcome art’ a;; inclusive practitioners and inclusive swimming sessions. Recently they had a successful trip to London Pride with their out there group, and also attended Northampton Pride.

Nikki advised that NDAS are supporting an LGBTQ person for the first time in refuge and asked for any support/advice available for them. Advised to contact Lowdown and Qspace for information, alternatively for adults explore the Meet ups pages.

Any items for future meetings please send to Aimee.

Tuesday 26 September, 7pm (social)

Tuesday 21 November, 7pm (formal)

Tuesday 26 September, 7pm – Social, location tbc (Town Centre)

Tuesday 21 November, 7pm – Virtual meeting.