The gay-friendly credentials of a local authority in Kent have been officially upheld after a long-running dispute with a local pride group.
Pride in Canterbury accused Canterbury City Council of ignoring the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and complained to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO).
After the complaint, which was made in April, the ombudsman has this week contacted the city council to say it would not be pursuing the allegations any further.
A pleased Colin Carmichael, CCC’s chief executive, said: "We have always refuted suggestions that the council doesn’t engage with the LGBT community and I’m delighted that the ombudsman agrees that the argument is groundless.
"Such allegations have been particularly disappointing in light of the past funding we have secured for Pride in Canterbury, and our holding of a gay open day in the council offices on one Saturday last year."
Pride in Canterbury’s complaint against CCC hit the headlines nationally and prominent gay rights campaigner and Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli waded into the dispute.
The pride group, which is chaired by Andrew Brettell, called on the council to provide an LGBT community drop-in centre, a gay bar and put forward the potential for ‘pink tourism’ and the importance of regular LGBT culture in the city.
Following the flurry of the publicity about the city not being gay enough, it was announced that CO2, Canterbury’s first gay bar, was to open at the site of the former lap-dancing club Scribes.
Launched on June 5, the nightspot promises drag artists, tribute acts, DJs and camp bingo.
Lord Alli’s office, specifically his political advisor Theo Grzegorczyk, had picked up on part of the LGO’s response which stated that the council has no statutory duty to promote LGBT culture.
He said the Equality Bill would mean that councils would have a statutory duty to engage with all members of their communities.
But the council had argued that regardless of statutory duty it had been working with the pride organisation and others.
This week, the council released a letter to Pride in Canterbury from ombudsman Christine Kane.
It read: "I see from information provided by the council that it has given your organisation funding in past years.
"It has invited you to provide details of touring plays and musicals, for example, which would be of interest to the LGBT community.
"And it has also invited you to put forward suggestions for small events that it might help fund, as well as proposals for other events such as exhibitions."
CCC’s Mr Carmichael added: "We hope that the ombudsman’s conclusion draws a line under this particular episode.
"We will however, continue to work closely with the local LGBT community in identifying particular needs and concerns and offering help whenever possible."
POSTED: 24/06/2009 14:00:00
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