Last meeting of group set up to fight inequality

THE last meeting of Bristol's Legacy Commission – set up to support the city's ethnic minorities – has taken place. It was formed in 2008 as a three-year project to tackle inequality in the city.

Last year Bristol City Council announced the group would continue for another year – but with its budget slashed in half.

It cut the group's funding from £250,000 to £130,000 and said it hoped the commission would become self-funding.

The Conservatives had previously criticised the commission as a "waste of money" but members said they made a number of achievements.

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These include:

● Creating a partnership with UWE to encourage BME teacher training;

● Forming a partnership with the council's children and young people's department to improve attainment of BME pupils;

● Raising awareness of 'modern day slavery' trafficking, and what Bristol communities can do to help challenge this.

A council spokesman said a new Bristol BME Voice and Influence Steering Group had been formed representing BME-led organisations, the wider voluntary and public sector organisations.

The BLC was made up of nine community members and three councillors nominated by their political parties.

Paul Stephenson OBE, pictured, was elected chair in June 2008.

He said: "The Bristol Legacy Commission was set up to instil a sense of belonging for Bristol's ethnic minority communities.

"While the commission has made a tangible contribution towards this aspiration, there is still a long way to go to ensure justice and equality is made available to all. Each of us has a duty to promote community cohesion and Human Rights."

Council leader Barbara Janke said: "The Bristol Legacy Commission has been a dynamic and influential group that has made a real impact in the city and our communities over the last four years.

"It has been an honour to see for myself the commission's passion and commitment to make Bristol an inclusive and successful city for all our residents. I am determined that their important work does continue.

"Elements of its work will now be included in mainstream council services, at the same time as developing a new external organisation under the Bristol BME Voice and Influence Steering Group."