100 likes | 212 Views
MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL. DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & COHESION FORUM CONSULTATION OVERVIEW January 2006. Background to Consultation. Political and corporate commitment to equality, diversity and cohesion
E N D
MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & COHESION FORUM CONSULTATION OVERVIEW January 2006
Background to Consultation • Political and corporate commitment to equality, diversity and cohesion • Review of Middlesbrough Council diversity systems identified weaknesses in external diversity approaches • Existing Diversity Forum focussed on ‘inward facing’ diversity • Proposed Middlesbrough Equality, Diversity & Cohesion Forum • Consultation October – December 2005
Responses • Positive and Supportive - Commission for equality and Human Rights 2007 - a clearer focus on Equality, Diversity & Cohesion issues within the LSP - potential to share good practice - rationalise consultation - clearer scrutiny and accountability - opportunity to involve private sector - opportunity to establish clearer leadership - potential as a ‘clearing house’ for information - make clearer links between diversity and regeneration - celebration of diversity - other agencies, not just the Council
Responses (2) • Areas of concern - possibility of duplication - consultation/involvement fatigue - long term sustainability of Forum - needs to fit in with LSP - equality and diversity should be mainstreamed not just an add on - need for trust building - need to resource Forum - has to mean something not just another talking shop
What Should the Forum Look Like? Joint Agency Working Group? - pull together agencies to specifically drive diversity agenda forward more effectively - identify key Equality & Diversity responsibility within partner agencies - as diversity sub-group of LSP - would focus on agency/service provider approaches to diversity, sharing good practice across agencies - rationalise constitution - communicating across agencies - carry out diversity audits
What Should the Forum Look Like? (2) An ‘Event Based’ Forum? - annual/bi-annual event, report back on progress from JAWG - LSP to adopt as one of their annual stakeholder events - conference style with workshop opportunities - diversity celebration - opportunity to showcase diversity, both for agencies and community groups.
What Should the Forum Look Like? (3) What isn’t covered? - where/how does the JAWG interact with community groups? - potential to develop and deliver town wide Diversity Strategy - inclusion of wider community input of wants/needs/ideas - limits the virtual dimension, production of a diversity website which could act as a resource - gathering and monitoring community tension - local awards for excellence - other?
Key Question • Do the proposals deliver what is needed?