Agenda item

Community representatives are invited to raise equality and inclusion matters about council policy and services which are of importance to the groups they represent.

Community representatives were invited to raise equality and inclusion matters about council policy and services which were of importance to the groups they represented.  The following issues were raised:

(i)           York Older Peoples Assembly

·        York Older Peoples Assembly requested that they be kept informed about the Footstreets Review.

·        Concerns had been expressed regarding the need for training to be in place for people who used mobility scooters. It was noted that the results of government consultation on this issue were awaited.

·        Concerns had been expressed that the Choice Based Lettings scheme disadvantaged some older people and other members of the community who may not be computer literate or have access to a computer.  The group requested that a report on this issue be brought to the next meeting¹.

·        Concerns had been expressed that the council no longer appointed member champions.  Of particular concern to YOPA, was that there was no longer a nominated Older People’s Champion.  YOPA had found it useful to have a known contact with whom they could raise issues.  The Chair explained that no firm decision had been taken as to whether member champions would be appointed in the future.  It had been envisaged that issues would be raised with the Cabinet Member whose portfolio covered the relevant area.   Members agreed that it was important that organisations and individuals knew who to contact with specific issues.  The Chair stated that she would make other Members aware that this issue had been raised.

·        The group’s attention was drawn to the distress caused to residents who had noisy neighbours.  The Authority was urged to ensure that, when procuring housing, there was adequate soundproofing in place.

(ii)          LGBT Forum

·        The group’s attention was drawn to the under-reporting of hate crime.  It was encouraging to note that a police LGBT liaison officer was in place but more needed to be done to encourage victims to report incidents.

·        The group was informed that the LGBT Forum would welcome the flying of the rainbow flag on the Mansion House during LGBT Pride Week.  This would demonstrate the council’s commitment to LGBT issues.

(iii)        YREN

YREN reported that four key events had taken place since the last EAG meeting:

·        York BME Citizens and Groups Open Forum event on 28 July 2011.  YREN thanked the Chair of EAG for her attendance and opening address at this meeting.

·        Community Conversations Hate Crime Workshop on 15 September 2011.  This was a partnership event with City of York Council.

·        York International Shared Meal event on 29 October 2011, in celebration of One World Week.  This was a collaborative event by York Racial Equality Network, York Baha’i community and York Interfaith.

·        York BME Citizens and Group Open Forum event on 12 November 2011.

YREN reported that the following issues were highlighted at the BME Citizens and Groups Open Forum events:

·        The need for additional site provision to be made available for travellers.

·        The need for additional resources to increase the capacity for YREN to meet the growing demand on its core services.  The increased demand is due in part to the current economic climate and the need to respond to the changing demographics within the city – York is the second fastest growing city in the UK.  Additionally, there are increasing demands on YREN’s services from organisations needing to demonstrate that they are working in a more inclusive way.

·        The need for a safe place for the Hindu and Sikh communities to worship.

·        The need for access to free legal advice for refugees and asylum seekers.

·        Additionally, YREN had identified the need for some race-equality and human rights awareness training within the city, particularly myth-busting exercises, in response to some adverse comments made in the media in response to the City of Sanctuary initiative.  It was imperative that racism was challenged in everyday lives.