Day: January 18, 2013

The findings of the Trans Equality Scrutiny panel are to be published today. The cross party panel was set up to highlight the challenges and inequalities facing transgender people in Brighton & Hove and to make recommendations for change.

The report will be made public at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting on January 28. The decision on whether to adopt the recommendations will be taken by the Policy and Resources Committee later in the year.

The question that was asked was: what needs to be done to make things fairer for trans people to live, work, socialise and study in the city?

The cross party Panel chaired by Councillor Phelim MacCafferty comprised Councillors Denise Cobb, and Warren Morgan joined by two co-optees.

The panel found that Brighton & Hove is a diverse and vibrant city, which includes an active local trans community. This Panel actively engaged as many members of the trans community as possible through support groups and service providers to find out more about the issues. The Panel found that there are many challenges and barriers to equality still being faced.

There is also a lack of information on the numbers of trans people accessing services in Brighton & Hove, with the result that service providers are not necessarily aware of the needs of trans people.

The report recommends that, as a matter of urgency, an assessment should be undertaken to identify the size of the trans community and its needs. Following this, a city-wide trans equalities strategy should be developed by the council and its partners, including an action plan with clear leads and responsibilities led by a council ‘Trans Champion’.

A number of the recommendations in the report are aimed at increasing awareness of the lives and needs of trans people.  Basic principles such as the importance of using appropriate pronouns to refer to someone need to be explained: mistakes in gender-related speech can be very upsetting and can be easily avoided.

The need for trans awareness training runs through the findings of the inquiry.

Through the work of the panel, Brighton & Hove City Council is taking the first step in making things fairer for trans people who live, work, study or socialise in the city and looks forward to working with partner agencies across the city on all of the issues raised in the report.

Councillor Phelim MacCafferty, Chair of the Panel said:

“I am incredibly proud to be part of this pioneering piece of work. It really is testament to the council’s dedication to providing services that deliver for the needs of all the city’s residents. Through the recommendations of this report, I believe we will be setting out a blue print for organisations to follow and develop best practice for training and awareness on trans issues.”

Nick Douglas, Coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Inclusion Project said:

“We are delighted to see the publication of the Panel’s findings. The way in which the Panel, the Council Communities and Equalities Team and the trans community came together to work on this is a model of good practice in progressing the equality agenda for local trans people. At LGBT HIP, we look forward to continuing our work with the council to ensure that this first step commitment to trans equality now comes to full fruition.”

To read the report view:

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett, the present Divisional Commander in Brighton and Hove will be stepping down in March. While Chief Police Officers plan the assessment procedure to decide his successor, Superintendent Steve Whitton will act up as Chief Superintendent for the city.

Superintendent Whitton is the city’s current Crime and Operations Superintendent.  Over the past four years he has led many high profile operations, working alongside partners to ensure the safety of the events which make Brighton & Hove such a fantastic ‘place to be’.

Until the new Divisional Commander is appointed DCI Jez Graves will continue to act up as the Crime & Operations Superintendent and DI Clare Shiel will remain the Detective Chief Inspector.

After months of negotiations National Student Pride returns to the Brighton Dome complex between March 1-3, 2013.  Last year over 1500 students attended the event, and organisers expect a significant increase this year. Elton John and David Furnish have agreed to be ambassadors for National Student Pride.

The event starts with registration drinks at Charles Street Bar before the opening party at Revenge Club on Friday, March 1.

On Saturday 2, there is a free daytime festival at the Brighton Dome (aged 16+)  featuring community stalls, live music, a job fair with companies such as Ernst & Young, Accenture, IBM and Asda present.

The major event of the day – Student Question Time will be hosted by Dragons’ Den and BBC Radio 4 Today  presenter Evan Davies and gives an opportunity for students and panellists to discuss important issues from an LGBT perspective, including homophobia in sport and other current topics. Confirmed names on the panel include John Amaechi OBE (first NBA gay basketball player and commentator at the London  2012 Olympics), Liz Bingham ( managing partner for People UK & Ireland, Ernst and Young), and Matthew Todd (editor of Attitude magazine). More names will be announced shortly.

A new feature this year are the Student Pride Awards. Gongs are up for grabs in various categories, including Journalist of the Year (for a student who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in reporting on LGBT issues), Activist of the Year (for a student who has made significant contributions to LGBT campaigns at their campus and local community), and Tweeter of the Year. The Awards will take place during the daytime festival on Saturday March 2 and will be hosted by The Feeling front man Dan Gillespie Sells.

As the sun sets on the Saturday evening students will embark on a tour of Brighton’s gay village with exclusive drinks deals on offer at a range of bars before returning to the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange for a club night.

Last year this was headlined by Stooshe. Watch this space over the next two weeks for the headlining act this year! Students will continue to party the night away at the official after party at Revenge from 2am. For anyone not keen on sleeping, Legends will play host to the final entertainment of the weekend with a Sunday afternoon of Cabaret.

Despite the harsh economic climate, an investment in equality and diversity more than pays for itself. This has been recognised by Ernst & Young, who are platinum sponsors of National Student Pride for the third year running, and Accenture who will be silver sponsors for the second year running, joined by Asda and The Co-operative Group as additional silver sponsors.

For more information view:

Brighton & Hove City Council are asking residents and businesses in Elm Grove their views on environmental improvements as a way of solving problems caused by pavement parking and to improve access and safety in the area.

Vehicles have been parking on pavements near junctions, reducing visibility across dropped kerbs, making it difficult for people with disabilities to cross the road, and in bus stops, causing problems for those getting on and off buses. Cars have even been driving along the pavements.

Proposals include creating designated free parking areas and a more people-friendly environment with benches or reinstatement of grass verges.

Councillor Matt Follett, deputy chair of the transport committee, said:

“We’ve already been working with local residents and we hope that as many people as possible take part in the consultation so that we can work together to resolve the issues. 

”Pavement parking in the area has been common practice for many years but the number of vehicles has gradually increased. Some vehicles have been driving along the pavement which is very dangerous, especially for children.”

Properties in the area will receive leaflets and questionnaires, and residents can also complete the questionnaire online here:

The closing date for the consultation is February 11.