Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
The requirement for the production of a Race Equality Scheme came about as a result of the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. It brought about the first major change to Britain’s Race Relations Legislation for nearly 25 years as the then Home Secretary, Jack Straw set up a Public Inquiry in 1999 chaired by Sir William MacPherson of Cluny whose findings led to the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
In summary, this legislation outlaws Racial Discrimination and places a duty on public bodies to be proactive in their approach to Race Equality and to find practical ways to move the agenda forward.
Blaenau Gwent has a very homogenous, predominantly Welsh, White, population of approximately 69,000.
99.2% of the Blaenau Gwent population were born in the United Kingdom (92% of whom were born in Wales), compared to a Welsh average of 97.9% and an England and Wales average of 91.1%.
According to the Census of 2001 non white minority ethnic groups made up less than 1% of the population in Blaenau Gwent (just under 600 people, largely Asian or Mixed origin, with some Chinese and Black families) compared to a Wales average of over 2%.
These numbers have risen markedly in the last few years due to the influx of Migrant Workers from Poland, Portugal, Slovakia etc, who bring their own unique problems in terms of language difficulties, poor terms, conditions and levels of pay to name but a few.
Although Blaenau Gwent still has a comparatively low number of Minority Ethnic people living within its boundaries, the Council must work towards ensuring that their needs are known and addressed.
Gypsies and Travellers
Blaenau Gwent has a permanent Travellers site in Cwmcrachen, Nantyglo. Originally it was an area used by travellers in the 1920’s and 1930’s and was properly established in late 1950’s by Gwent County Council with shared common facilities. In 1995 it was re-developed with the aid of a Welsh Office grant.
Cwmcrachen consists of 22 permanent bases with individual water, electric and toilet facilities and currently there is a waiting list for places. This site is regarded as a great success and reveals the Council’s commitment towards providing a quality service to the Traveller community.
A £500,000 re-development of the site is proposed for the near future which is joint funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Also in the pipeline is a set of guidelines and expected goof practice for Unauthorised Encampments Gypsies/Travellers encampments in the County Borough and a Good Neighbour Guide.
Service Level Agreement with Valleys Race Equality Council
From the 1st April 2007 Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council entered into a Service Level Agreement with the Valleys Race Equality Council with the intention of promoting Race Equality throughout the County Borough. The good news is that this SLA has been agreed for 2008-2009 and the partnership can continue to flourish.
Blaenau Gwent Multi Agency Diversity Forum
A Multi-Agency Diversity Forum was launched in April 2007 by a partnership of key statutory and non-statutory agencies, committed to addressing the challenges presented by our increasing diverse communities. The bodies involved are as follows:·
- Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
- Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board
- VALREC
- Heddlu Gwent Police
- GAVO
Multi-Agency Diversity Forum – Statement of Purpose
Each partner agency encourages an environment that recognises and respects diversity, challenges discrimination and inappropriate behaviour and language, thereby increasing the confidence of the victim or any other person to report a racist incident.
- Each agency provides an effective and accessible system to record, investigate and monitor accurately all incidents reported, and the opportunity for remote reporting.
- Each agency shares relevant information to assist the monitoring process through an agreed protocol, whilst ensuring confidentiality.
- Each agency actively participates in the support of a victim through an inter-agency response to racist attacks and harassment reported.
- Each agency ensures a process exists to identify and adapt staff training to reflect the ethnic and cultural needs of a community.
- Each agency raises awareness and provide training for existing and new staff on adopted procedures.
- The MADF markets and publishes appropriate information in respect of race and diversity issues in languages and formats that reflect the community needs. This information is made widely available.
- The partnership remains responsive to matters both nationally and locally that may impact on the effectiveness of the MADF.
The MADF recognises the increasing numbers of Migrant Workers that have moved to the area over the last couple of years and the issues that it raises. As mentioned earlier in the Report, the MADF held a very successful Migrant workers event on the 11th May 2007 to discuss these issues and raise awareness amongst the attendees. More recently there have been issues regarding the organising and administration of the MADF, but it is anticipated that these will be resolved shortly and allow the MADF to function effectively once more.
