18/10/2013 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Credit where it’s due!

Posted on 18/10/201309/11/2013 by Besi

Brighton & Hove Council are investing £100, 000 over the next 2 years in the East Sussex Credit Union, (a local not for profit savings and loans co-operative), as part of the council’s new Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Credit Unions offer a chance to save and borrow ethically and a sensible option for those otherwise excluded from credit or bank accounts. In some cases a Credit Union can be a cheaper credit alternative to mainstream banks for everyone. Membership provides a fairer alternative to the exorbitant interest rates charged by the ‘instant cash’ pay day loan companies, and members automatically become share-holders, ensuring ethical growth with benefits being fed back into the local community.

Councillor Bill Randall, Chair of Housing has been a member of the Credit Union for over 14 years.

He said:

“Vulnerable people in Brighton & Hove are the hardest hit by welfare reforms and the signs of poverty are all around us. More and more people turning to pay day loan companies and loan sharks to survive, and the queues are lengthening at food banks across the city.”

“This substantial Investment will enable our local credit union to make a real difference to those who have been reduced to appalling debt by these unscrupulous money lenders in the past.”

£10,000 of the total amount from the council will be spent on improving technology to raise the profile of the East Sussex Credit Union and to make it more accessible so that members can now join and manage their account online.

To view the website, CLICK HERE: www.eastsussexcu.org.uk

Council Leader Jason Kitcat, who has pledged to be the first online customer, said:

“At a time when so many people are facing financial difficulties, our local credit union is a real lifeline. I’m really pleased that as part of our financial inclusion programme, we’ve helped them develop this online tool, making the East Sussex Credit Union as accessible as other lenders. Now more people will be able to save and borrow from them, and in turn, more support will be on offer to friends and neighbours in our communities.”

The council is undertaking a range of work to tackle the problem of financial exclusion including the commissioning of a community banking partnership.

You can find details on the council’s website.

To view, CLICK HERE:

SUNNY DRAKE: Transgender Seeking…. at the Basement

Posted on 18/10/201309/11/2013 by Besi

The award-winning Australian queer and transgender theatre artist – Sunny Drake, is appearing at the Basement in Brighton on Thursday, October 24.

Currently based in Toronto, Sunny has toured his work extensively, including the San Francisco International Arts Festival and three times to the USA National Queer Arts Festival.

His show, “X”, just won the Summer Works RBC Professional Artist Award (Canada’s largest juried performance festival), and was named by NOW Magazine (Toronto) for Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Design.

He is currently touring his new show “Transgender Seeking…” to the USA, UK and Europe.

“Jimmy is trying to quit romance, cold turkey, so he’s joined your Romance-aholics Anonymous group. Since the break-up, he’s been trying to prove that he’s “Great! Fine! Never been better!” His secret comforts include watching cheesy old black and white romance films – but don’t tell his radical friends… An exposing, funny and tender look at queer relationships, the bold visions we have and the often hilarious struggles in living up to them: run-ins with the Polyamory Police about jeolousy in breach of the Queer Radical Relationships Act, online dating mishaps, and how relationship scripts and bigger political systems like policing and prisons affect our relationships. Transgender Seeking… includes clever unconventional use of multimedia projections.”

WHAT: “TRANSGENDER SEEKING…”

WHERE: The Basement, 24 Kensington Street, Brighton, East Sussex

WHEN: Thursday October 24, Doors open 7:30pm for 8pm show

COST: £10 / £8 (concession)

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Post Show Discussion:

The show will be followed by a post show discussion with Sunny Drake chaired by Jason Price, Lecturer in Contemporary Theatre and Performance at the University of Sussex.

£4.2 million investment in car parks wins the city an award

Posted on 18/10/201309/11/2013 by Besi

Regency Square and Trafalgar Street car parks in Brighton have both been given Safer Parking Awards by the British Parking Association (BPA) in recognition of the council’s work to provide a safer environment for customers.

Brighton & Hove City Council has invested £4.2 million in refurbishing car parks. Work includes repainting, improved lighting and signage, together with vehicle and pedestrian controlled access.

It brings the number of ParkMark® awards the council has won to four (the other car parks are The Lanes and London Road). The awards are given following assessments by Sussex Police and the BPA.

Councillor Ian Davey, lead member for transport, said:

“We are committed to improving our parking services and making parking safe and convenient. Investing in these council-operated car parks has not only greatly enhanced the overall appearance of both of them, but has contributed to making them safe and non-threatening environments for people. It’s great to be recognised for that work.”

Nationally facilities that have received the award have seen a drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80%. Vehicle-related crime now accounts for 13% of all crime (down from 22% in 2004), and 11% of vehicle-related crime occurs in car-parks (down from 20% in 2004).

In Brighton & Hove relevant crime-related incidents have reduced dramatically over 12 months and are now in single figures. With a total annual vehicle throughput of some 325,000, the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is extremely low. Regular visits are made at both locations, together with a good standard of cleanliness, all of which helps to reduce perception of crime.

BPA area manager Mike Bibby, said:

“Brighton & Hove City Council have once again achieved the required standards for these Park Mark® awards to be granted and I would like to congratulate all involved in keeping problems to the absolute minimum.

“Over the past few months, many improvements have been made to both facilities at considerable cost to the council and all users can be confident their safety and that of their vehicles is taken seriously.”

There are currently some 5,000 car parks with the Park Mark® Award throughout the UK.

To find your nearest Park Mark® car park to park when you visit Brighton for Pride, CLICK HERE: