I'm going outside now, I may be some time

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by garinda

Would you feel welcome in a Black & Ethnic Minority centre?

I've already posted links on this forum to B.M.E. groups, in receipt of H.B.C. funding, who openly state ONLY black or ethnic women are able to attend various events.

This centre isn't only for BME's, it is for everyone, but it seems that not many people other than the BME's have used it.

As for the question...'would I feel welcome'........I suppose it isn't about feeling welcome, it is about getting help for a particular problem........and if the problem was pressing enough and I needed the help....then I would get over it....and getting to Hannah Street would not be insurmountable either.

The situation just feels a bit 'dog in a manger-ish'........we(the non ethnics) don't use it, but why should the money be spent on the ethnic community.

It is just how it appears to me...and you know I will say it how I see it.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

This centre isn't only for BME's

Unlike some council funded BME organisations, which are, because they quite clearly state that 'only B.M.S.' s are welcome'.

That is wrong.

Legally, since we have race discrimination laws in this country, it is also more than questionable that making such a statement isn't criminal.

I think it is very wrong that Hyndburn Borough Council are using tax payers' money to fund any body which makes reference to anyone's race or colour.

It's wrong, and creates more sparatism.

Whether they are able to go in there or not, calling anything a Black & Ethnic Minority centre will put some folks off going there, thinking they're barred because they don't fit the required ethnicity.

[Ken Moss]

To answer the points raised on here, it isn't a BME service, it is and always has been open to all but hard facts were given to the committee that the number of non-Asians who had used the centre over the past 25 years was negligible and those who were came largely from Polish origin.

The Accrington Observer also notes that it serves 6 people per week on average which again is untrue, it is an average of 6 people per day in person and does not take into consideration the people who phone up.

Moving the service out of Cannon Street will save around £10,000 per year but the paper has not picked up on the further saving of £12,000 per year by halving the council allowance for it until 2014 when it will be stopped altogether. All this should be minuted online under 'Cabinet'.

It is interesting to note that Cllr Britcliffe did not respond to the question put to him at Cabinet that if this is such an outrageous decision that he kept funding it during his 10 years in control at a cost of £24,000 every year.

Essentially, the same service will be provided for £22,000 less and then phased out.

[g jones]

I always said you'd make a great O&S scrutineer Ken. The decision is to reduce now, and then phase out Council funding for this activity in a way that is acceptable to everyone.

The stupidity of Britcliffe's argument is in the fact that he continually funded this at £24,000 per year.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

To answer the points raised on here, it isn't a BME service, it is and always has been open to all but hard facts were given to the committee that the number of non-Asians who had used the centre over the past 25 years was negligible and those who were came largely from Polish origin.

That's not very clear on here.

BME Hyndburn Black & Minority Ethnic

Why is tax payers' money being spent on any body or organisation, that differentiates on race, or ethnic background?

Would H.B.C. fund an exclusively white organisation?

I'll answer for you.

Er...no.

That would be seen as being 'racist'.

There should be no difference.

But sadly there is.

Every citizen in Hyndburn should be treated as equals.

Positive discrimination stinks, and creates division. Instead of uniting communities.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by g jones

I always said you'd make a great O&S scrutineer Ken. The decision is to reduce now, and then phase out Council funding for this activity in a way that is acceptable to everyone.

The stupidity of Britcliffe's argument is in the fact that he continually funded this at £24,000 per year.

...and two wrongs don't make a right.

However it's scrutinised.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

.....Peter still gets his name and face in every week, no one ever needs to worry about that....

Do you change your dart board picture weekly?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I won't disagree with that, the disappointment comes when there is no actual point to an interjection in a live debate other than to attempt a salacious jibe.

If nothing else, it is just one more thing to drag out the length of meetings.

What you need is sandwiches and a drinky poo to keep your stamina up during the long slogging matches

[Neil]

Originally Posted by garinda

'Silly cow' was mimed!

Give Us a Clue.

You couldn't make it up.

Did he use his fingers on his head to look like horns for the cow bit?
I wonder how he mimed "silly"?

[garinda]

'It is not possible at this stage to be precise about the level of savings that will arise from this proposal as these depend, in part at least, on negotiations with the existing staff, and with the Hyndburn Cultural Association.'

http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...e_Services.pdf

Have these 'negotiations' with the Hyndburn Cultural Association taken place yet?

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Neil

Did he use his fingers on his head to look like horns for the cow bit?
I wonder how he mimed "silly"?

Perhaps he indicated 'sounds like', and grabbed his crotch.



Or perhaps he mimed the whole thing.

Pointing to his head, and rotating his finger, and then mimed pulling on some udders.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by garinda

They have basically labelled the closure of a town centre advice centre, which is to be relocated in a 'B.M.E.' (Black & Minority Ethnic) centre on Hannah Street, up a steep hill, not on a bus route, and a long way from the town centre as 'racist'.

Beside the racist aspect of this why is the Council encouraging them to pull out of the Town Centre?

I would have expected the Council to be encouraging business, companies, advice agencies and whoever else to move into the town centre?

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Neil

I would have expected the Council to be encouraging business, companies, advice agencies and whoever else to move into the town centre?

As witnessed by the closure of the tourist information centre in the Town Hall on Saturdays, this doesn't seem a particularly high priority.

Odd that's been closed to save money, yet funding can be found for the B.M.E. centre on Hannah St.

Along with the removal of benches, for people to use, who may need a place to sit.

It doesn't particularly give a welcoming reception to visitors to the town centre.

[garinda]

'The Hyndburn BME Forum has been consulted on this proposal and has offered its full support.'

http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/downloa...e_Services.pdf

That's good news for the council then.

At least they have some support for what they've done.

Even if all the residents associations listed in the Observer don't agree.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Neil

Do you change your dart board picture weekly?

Well the record does seem to have been stuck for 18 months now, Hate Peter, Hate Peter, Hate Peter, Hate Peter