Equality and Diversity: Community Engagement Groups
Blackpool Equalities Forum
Blackpool's Equalities Forum was established in 2002 to promote equality and address local issues. Residents and representatives from the community and voluntary sector and organisations from all over Blackpool are invited to attend the meetings. The forum encourages a diverse range of individuals, public bodies and community organisations to come together to discuss equalities issues and promote awareness. It is an independent and open forum where any equality related issue can be raised and discussed. The Equalities Forum is supported by Blackpool Council's Faith, Equality and Diversity Unit with secretarial support provided by Democratic Services. Within its inclusive remit, the Forum provides scope to engage in discussion and networking and actively promotes a culture of collaboration across a diverse range of individuals, public bodies and community organisations. Another part of the Forum's remit is to comment on the Council's policies and procedures. Their views play an important role in helping to integrate good equality practice within the Councils policy framework. Aside from this special relationship with Blackpool Council, the Equalities Forum is an independent and open forum where any equality related issue can be raised and discussed.
Meetings Each open meeting is themed, the Equalities Forum Planning Group decides on an appropriate theme and identifies speakers who can provide valuable information and facilitate debate. Attendees are invited to submit questions (relating to the presentation/discussion topic) in advance. October’s open meeting focussed on Equality and the Media. This topic was suggested when concerns over the reporting of disability stories were raised at a previous open forum meeting.
Past themes have included:
- Employment and Regeneration
- Hate Crime and Personal Safety; and
- Transport and Access
Attendance at the open meetings varies between approximately 30 and 50 people, these are a mixture of individuals, community representatives and representatives from public bodies.
Recent Activities
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Obtaining the Navajo Chartermark:
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Taken part in the
consultation for the Partial Review of the North West Plan. The review covers three key issues. These include addressing housing demand, supply and affordability; Gypsies & Travellers issues and update of Regional Parking Standards. The response is available on the North West Plan website:
http://www.northwestplanpartialreview.org.uk/
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Hosting the lauch of Blackpool Council's new Hate Crime Reporting System
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Taking part in Crown Prosecution Service Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel
Opportunities for partners The meetings provide a fantastic opportunity for local organisations to carry out community engagement activity as there are usually groups and community members from various equalities strands who are willing to participate in consultations.
For further information or to join the Forum, please contact Catherine Mugonyi on 01253 477117 or visit
the Equalities Forum Website