Race relations (amendment) Act 2000

Report: 10
Date: 24 April 2001
By: Clerk

Summary

At the meeting of the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee (CDO) held on 27 March 2001, Members considered the report on the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and supported the recommendation for a small working group to be set up to give comments to the Authority's response to the proposals for implementation of the Act as well as for drafting the Authority's Racial Equality Scheme, as proposed by the Act. It was intended that this report should be considered by the Chair's Co-ordination and Urgency Committee (CCU). As the meeting of the CCU has been cancelled this committee is asked to take the decisions previously remitted to the CCU.

A. Recommendations

1. The Committee nominate Members to form a working group which will be responsible for drafting the MPA's Racial Equality Scheme as outlined in the Act.
2. The committee receives regular reports from the working group on its progress in this area to achieve the Home Office deadline of July 2001.
3. That the members note the Home Office overall timetable for implementation of the Act at Appendix 3.

B. Supporting information

1. A report outlining the key requirements of the Act for the Authority and the actions required by the Authority on the proposals for the implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act was presented to this committee on 27 March 2001. This is attached at Appendix 1. Members supported the recommendation which proposed that a small working group should be set up to guide the Authority's response and developments in this area.

2. The CDO committee remitted the responsibility for selecting the membership of a small working group of members and officers to the Chair's Co-ordination and Urgency Committee with representation to be sought across all MPA committees.

3. The CCU Committee due to be held on 26 April has been cancelled. Due to the timescales for undertaking the work required by the Home Office, and the consultation deadline for response to the APA (14 May), this committee is asked to assume responsibility for selecting the members of the working group.

4. Members may wish to note that the MPS and GLA have similar responsibilities and may therefore see value in including representation from both organisations on the working group. Officers have proposed a membership list at Appendix 2 for Members consideration.

5. It is proposed that the chair of the CDO committee should chair this working group. Officers will provide secretarial support. Members are asked to endorse this proposal.

6. A copy of the Government overall implementation timetable is attached for members information at Appendix 3.

7. Members will wish to note that the APA, Home Office and representation from the MPS are currently involved in drafting codes of practice for public Authorities with the CRE. The MPS representative is also representing the ACPO view. This has been explored with the CRE and members may wish to explore the feasibility of the MPA seeking representation (probably through observer status) on this working group.

C. Financial implications

There are no financial implications associated with this report.

D. Background papers

• Race Relation's (Amendment) Act 2000 – New laws for a Successful Multi-Racial Britain

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Julia Smith.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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