Latest news in Yorkshire: September 01, 2017 02:31:55 PM
A partnership between the council and local equality forums has led to increased engagement with diverse communities across the borough. The findings come from Barnsley Council’s Equality Scheme annual report, published this week.
Successes include a month-long LGBT festival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales, and a Purple Flag initiative which promotes a safe and inclusive evening and night-time economy.
The Equality Scheme aims to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and encourage good relations between all groups. The council is collaborating with local groups, such as My Barnsley Too Disability Forum and the Barnsley Deaf Forum, to deliver the scheme.
Councillor Alan Gardiner, Cabinet spokesperson for Corporate Services, said: “Barnsley is at its best when we all come together. Our collaboration with the forums is invaluable as we work towards delivering the equality priorities and objectives outlined in the scheme.
“The Destination Barnsley festival at Shaw Lane on Sunday 24 September is a great opportunity for people to find out more and integrate with the different communities making a home in Barnsley.
“We are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and will continue to tackle social exclusion throughout the borough.”
Hate crime and harassment have been discussed in schools and colleges throughout the borough. Levels of incident reporting are particularly low amongst young people. The issues explored include stereotypes, prejudice and the impact of this kind of bullying on victims. Over 1,000 people took part in a last year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week event and expressed messages of support and solidarity for victims of harassment.
The council is to receive a Home Office grant to help support the integration of new people into the borough. The funding will be used to improve poor-quality private rented accommodation and tackle rogue landlords.
Councillor Gardiner added: “Despite these achievements, we face a significant number challenges to achieve our equality goals.
“Further work is needed to ensure there are continued good relations between different communities in Barnsley. We have seen an increased number of new arrivals to the borough, mainly migrant workers from Eastern Europe who make a significant contribution to the local economy and community.
“It is one of our priorities to have strong and resilient communities and so we will continue as part of that work to welcome and to help new arrivals integrate with the local communities that they now live in.”
The council’s Cabinet will review the Equality Scheme annual report on Wednesday 6 September 2017.
- Power to be handed back to Rotherham council
- Steam Train Mexborough
- Demolition of Park Road School – Wath-upon-Dearne
- Serious collision – Swinton, Rotherham
- Woman dies after car hits broken down car on M1
- Virtual reality for children in care support
- Motorists urged to check vehicle doors are secure
- Clampdown on boy racers between Barnsley and Rotherham
- Police and fire community safety teams join forces in major collaboration milestone
- Community Speed Watch relaunched following requests from the public
- Woman named following fatal collision, Brierley
- WANTED MAN! Aaron Divers?
- Reducing hate crime in Rotherham
- Advice in the community for older people
- NO PULSE, NO WORRIES
- Barnsley’s Safer Neighbourhood Service ‘close’ Cudworth flat
- Lamp-post crushes car in Barnsley crash
- Two men charged with Rotherham burglaries
- Rotherham still leading the way on school admissions
- River Dove wetland projects will support wildlife and reduce flood risk
- Barnsley Sixth Form College celebrates 99% pass rate
- Why malicious communications could get you more than a loss of followers
- Landlord fined after tenant left out in the cold
- Aggravated burglary in Sheffield
- It’s not too late to study at UCB this September
- UPDATES: Investigation launched following discovery of man’s body, Barnsley
- Wath All Saints Church Stonework
- Shadows of Transformation: Chronicles of a Town called Wath-upon-Dearne
- Teenager injured in Swinton collision
- Introducing Funny Thursdays – April Fools Comedy Fest in Barnsley Markets!
- CCTV released in connection to Sheffield knifepoint robbery
- Fwd: Officer dragged by car in Conisbrough – did you see anything?
- Men jailed for Class A drugs crime in Sheffield
- wathupondearne Latest news in Yorkshire: Published March 23, 2019 08:47:49 AM A report which has agreed to allocate £250,000 from the Berneslai Homes surplus to support work on an affordable warmth programme for private sector housing over the next three years has been approved. Launching in March, at least 106 households will benefit from the overall programme, giving an average spend per property of £2,358. External funding of around £575,000 is also expected to be brought in, allowing hundreds more households to benefit. All energy efficiency works will be delivered through the existing Better Homes Barnsley framework and the new Warm Homes and Hospital Discharge team will help to assess need and eligibility for these schemes. The Barnsley energy tariff, the local energy supply offer provided by Great North Energy, will also be available to the residents who benefit from this programme, offering further potential for them to save money and be able to heat their homes to a comfortable level. The programme will be fully evaluated so that further funding can be secured to make it sustainable in the long-term. It will rely on referrals from health professionals and front-line council workers, although residents can self-refer. Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “There are currently around 11,500 households in fuel poverty in Barnsley and we also have above average rates of excess winter deaths. “This funding will allow the council to take a more holistic approach to tackling cold homes by joining up with other services to provide heating systems and insulation to the most vulnerable residents living in private sector housing.” Paul Hayes, Chair of Berneslai Homes Board, added: “Last year the Berneslai Homes Board agreed to spend some of its company surplus to support projects aimed at economic regeneration and the health and wellbeing of people in Barnsley. This is the first of those projects aimed at reducing fuel poverty. “We want all residents in Barnsley to have a home that is warm and safe to live in.” This news is linked to Town Spirit. We want to work better together. If everyone in Barnsley does just one thing, together we can make our borough a more welcoming place where people want to live, work and visit.
- College students run school sports day
- Bell Tent Season
- Have your say on where to vote in Rotherham
- Homes that repair themselves
- Witnesses sought to Barnsley collision
- Wath High Street Coronation Celebration 1936