Race Relations (Amendment) Act - work in progress

Report: 06
Date: 15 January 2002
By: Clerk

Summary

This paper outlines work in progress towards preparing the MPA's Race Equality Scheme.

A. Recommendation

That Members note and comment upon the progress towards preparing the MPA's Race Equality Scheme.

B. Supporting information

1. Work has commenced to produce the MPA's Race Equality Scheme as required under the Race Relations Amendment Act. Since the report to CDO committee in November, the Commission for Race Equality (CRE) has published the Code of Practice relating to implementation of the legislation. This has informed the preparations being undertaken as outlined below.

2. The MPA working group has met twice and at its last meeting received a draft outline structure of the scheme. This group comprises the Chairs of the Community, Diversity and Outreach (CDO), Human Resources (HR) and Professional Standards and Performance Monitoring (PSPM) Committees, the Deputy Chair of the CDO Committee, MPA staff from the CDO and HR teams, MPS staff from its Diversity Directorate and representatives from the Commission for Racial Equality.

3. MPA staff are currently carrying out an assessment of the impacts that MPA functions and policies have upon race equality and compliance with the General Duty under the Act. From this assessment, the Working Group will seek to put these functions and policies into priority order in terms of those in most need of development. This list will form the basis of a 3-year action plan.

4. Work is commencing on developing a performance management system (i.e. establishing performance indicators, targets, data collection and review processes) dealing with race equality. As part of this process, it is proposed that a staff 'cultural' survey be undertaken in February. The results from the survey can then be used as a baseline upon which to make comparisons in future years.

5. Further consideration is being given to hosting a consultation event on the MPA draft scheme with external bodies/the public. The Working Group has promoted the idea of a joint event with the MPS, which will be consulting on its own scheme.

6. The MPS scheme is being separately developed. The Working Group is being kept informed of the work of the MPS and has been given the opportunity to comment upon it. Within the MPA scheme, it will be important to define the MPA links with the MPS' scheme in order to properly reflect the MPA's statutory duty with regards to the MPS and equal opportunities.

7. Discussions with officers from the GLA indicate that it has yet to commence work on the scheme. However, GLA representation will be sought again at our Working Group meetings.

8. It is clear that several committees of the MPA have a close interest in this work. The work and reports dealing with the Race Relations Amendment Act will also therefore be referred to HR as well as PSPM Committees. Officers will also seek to involve the Chairs of all committees in the process of impact assessment outlined in paragraph 3 above.

C. Financial implications

The costs for the work highlighted above, including a staff survey and consultation event will be met from existing budgets.

D. Background papers

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 – proposals for implementation
CDO Committee Report, Race Relations Amendment Act Progress Report, Nov 2001
CRE Code of Practice, Dec 2001.

E. Contact details

Report author: Jude Sequeira, Consultation Diversity and Outreach, MPA.

For information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback