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Pride reveals to City Council, debts of over £200,000

By James Ledward, Feb 1, 2012 - 9:00:02 PM

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It has emerged that Pride (South East) the trading arm of Pride in Brighton & Hove has combined debts of over £200,000 and no money has been distributed to local LGBT groups and charities following last years event.

The bad news was delivered to the City Council last Thursday, (January 26), by a Trustee of Pride in Brighton and Hove.

Papers seen by Gscene magazine reveal Pride has outstanding creditors of £184,000 and an outstanding loan from Brighton and Hove council for £20,000, which brings their total debts to over £204.000.

In a briefing paper given to the council at the meeting last Thursday, Pride indicated that information given to the Council post Pride 2011, regarding Pride's trading position, were given in good faith and had been prepared by Pride's treasurer, who is no longer a trustee and does not live in Brighton anymore.

At a meeting in February 2011, chaired by the then Leader of The Council, to discuss the two rival bids on the table to stage Pride in 2011 and attended by the leaders of all the political parties, senior council officers responsible for supporting the delivery of the event for the city, the chair of Pride, the paid worker of Pride, representatives from the HIV charity, Lunch Positive, the Women's performance tent organisers and Gscene editor James Ledward, the council were asked by James Ledward if they had seen Pride's 'management accounts'. Senior officials present indicated they had.

It now appears from paperwork seen by Gscene magazine that at that meeting, when the decision was made to sideline the 'Reclaim Pride Community Bid', which guaranteed £30,000 would be paid to local LGBT groups and charities, Pride in Brighton and Hove had debts of £68,000 rolled over from the previous year.

When asked at the meeting if he could support Pride in Brighton and Hove more through the pages of Gscene magazine.

James Ledward, responded:
"I will give Pride as much publicity as they need if I can see their management accounts. It would be inappropriate for me to indicate to the community that Pride is on a firm financial footing, allowing them to run up debts with suppliers, without first being reassured that they are not throwing a party they cannot pay for."

The chair of Pride would not agree to Pride's 'management accounts' being shown to Gscene, indicating they included "confidential information".

Pride in Brighton and Hove, have indicated they will be issuing a statement on Friday regarding their present financial position.

A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove City Council, said:
“Pride is an important event for the city, not only for residents and visitors but also our economy. While Pride is not a council run event, we work closely with the police, the fire brigade, residents and local businesses to ensure this event is successful and safe.

“The changes that were made last year, in particular the fencing and ticketing and the different arrangements around the clean up, were in response to the calls from the police and fire brigade as well as our communities and residents.

“We understand Pride South East is in a difficult position financially which is extremely regrettable but it’s for the trustees to make their decision on a course of action. We are committed to continuing to work with the community and our partners to ensure the city continues to celebrate its unique equality and diversity through Pride.”

Local politicians have indicated they will respond after they receive a political briefing from council officers on February 7.

HERE TO CHALLENGE! A GUIDE TO WHATS HAPPENING IN LGBT BRIGHTON & HOVE