News & Information Roundup

BME organisations could withdraw support for equality bill

The Winning the Race Coalition, which was started by Voice4Change England and Race on the Agenda, has called for a meeting with Harriet Harman, the leader of the House of Commons, to discuss making changes to the new single equality bill. They say that black and minority ethnic voluntary sector organisations will find it difficult to support new equality laws unless the proposed legislation is changed. Among the changes called for by the coalition are an explicit legal duty to make sure public contracts are only awarded to private and third sector organisations that provide equal opportunities. The coalition is also calling for the bill to allow positive discrimination for access to employment, training or promotion.

Director of Voice 4Change England Vandna Gohil said that the Government would without doubt be looking to the BAMER sector to help deliver its equalities agenda, but that, "if it fails to engage with us on the framing of the bill then it will be difficult to support policy we had little say in."

The bill was included in the draft Queen's Speech last May and is expected to be introduced to Parliament this spring.

Invitation to Local Authorities to submit proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007

If you have an interest in how your community develops you could contact your Local Authority to encourage them to include your ideas in their proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.
The first formal invitation to local authorities to submit proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 has been issued. Councils have until 31 July 2009 to submit their proposals to the selector (the Local Government Association). Communities and Local Government has outlined the agreed process for making proposals and reaching decisions. More information is available online from: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/firstinvitation

Department of Health replaces to Section 64 grants scheme

The Department of Health has replaced its main grants scheme for the voluntary sector from 2009-10. Under it’s new system; the third Sector Investment Programme, it has awarded 11 voluntary organisations, £5.5m over the next three years to help plan health and social care spending and provide feedback from the sector.

The change from ‘Section 64’ grants to the ‘Third Sector Investment Programme’ comes after the Department of Health held a consultation with more than 700 third sector organisations on how it could improve its funding of the health and social care charity sector. This new programme has two strands: a strategic partner programme and an innovation, excellence and service development fund.

The funding programmes closed for applications on Monday 8 September 2008. Applications for funding in 2010-11 will be invited after April 2009. More information available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/managingyourorganisation/financeandplanning/section64grants/index.htm

Mayor and Greater London Authority (GLA) - Outer London Commission

The Mayor has established an Outer London Commission to (1) Identify the extent to which outer London has unrealised potential to contribute to London’s economic success, the factors that are impeding it from doing so and the economic, social and environmental benefits that could be achieved and (2) Recommend policies and proposals for the future development of Outer London to the Mayor for inclusion in the London Plan, its associated supplementary guidance and other GLA Group strategies and guidance. See www.london.gov.uk/mayor/planning/olc/outer.londoncommission@london.gov.uk for more information.