FORUM MEETING OCTOBER 25th 2010
The meeting was, as usual, well attended with representatives from local support and campaigning groups in attendance along with a satisfying number of local government officers. The session got off to a good start with networking over refreshments.

Christopher Hammond (Community Advocate) and Susan Robinson (Community Advocate) introduced both the new Dorset Advocacy and Casework Service and the Dorset Hate Crime Reporting Centre. These are set to have a very positive effect on the lives of vulnerable individuals across the county. It was emphasised that these services will only fulfill their potential if they are fully used. The point was made that it is always worth reporting hate crime/incidents to the appropriate authority. It is well established that an alarming proportion of hate crimes/incidents go unreported. So if you are a victim of this uncivilised behavour or know someone who is, please get in touch. Everyone has a right both morally and in law to feel safe to walk on our streets without fear.

The new Equality Act 2010 came into force on the 1st October. This Act will have a positive impact on society in general including equality and diversity groups and organisations within the voluntary sector.  It is important that everyone understands the implications of this new legislation and how to implement the necessary changes to fully comply with it. Steve Place (Senior Advisor, Poole CVS) gave a very informative and easily understood presentation of the main points of the new Equality Act 2010.

The Act protects nine "protected groups" based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, gender and sexual orientation. Read Steve's presentation in full by clicking here.

Research has shown that individuals belonging to two or more protected groups suffer greater enhanced discrimination than just the simple sum associated with the two groups. Thus an individual who is, for example, Black and elderly will be disadvantaged both as a Black person and as an elderly person and this will then be multiplied some more. Groups like the Bournemouth and Poole Equality and Diversity Forum who cut across the protected groups can play a crucial role in dealing with "cross-cutting" inequalities. The more representatives of protected groups we can attract the more we will jointly benefit from cooperation.

Christopher Beale (Forum Chair and Director of the Poole CVS) briefly reviewed the likely impact of the Coalition Government's spending review on the voluntary sector. This was followed by a lively debate.

Whilst understanding that local authorities must find ways of saving money and implement cuts to meet financial targets set by the government it was felt that careful consideration must be given to the vital social role played by many voluntary sector service providers. 

Considering the anticipated rise in social tensions as the spending cuts impact employment opportunities etc. it seems shortsighted to reduce funding to some voluntary sector agencies. For example, those working to combat social prejudice and bring some measure of peace, calm and cooperation to society. Now more than every we need education, understanding and support for both the vulnerable and to reform the perpetrators of mindless acts of hate, prejudice and violence.

A serious concern was voiced that local councils and other public agencies will cut funding in such a way as to disproportionately impact equality and diversity groups/organisations. It was felt that this would be a tragic mistake in part for the reasons already given above.