Basildon’s first community cohesion conference has been hailed an “outstanding success” by its chairman, Councillor Andrew Baggott, when he spoke to delegates at the end of the one day event (23 October).
More than 150 delegates packed the conference hall at Dunton to hear a top line up of experts in the field describe how a bright future awaits Basildon if it continues in its efforts to welcome and develop strong, effective and lasting good community relations.
They discussrd how the district can plan for increased diversity in the future and ensure that everyone, regardless of background or origins, lives and works together happily in Basildon.
The delegates included statutory agencies, voluntary organisations, the private sector, community groups including faith organisations, disability organisations, representatives of some of the district’s ethnically diverse communities, local councillors and senior officers.
The speakers included: Lord Ouseley (Ex-Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality), Bala Mahendren (Basildon District Council Chief Executive), Rose Doran (Improvement & Development Agency), Jane Tottingham (Ford UK) and Martin O’Neill (Editor of the Echo), Leonie McCarthy (member of the Commission for Integration and Cohesion) among others.
Over lunch, participants enjoyed a performance by Signature, 2008 Britain’s got Talent’s finalists, and dancing by local young people from Smarty Pants Dance School, Dance World and Vange Youth Community Centre.
The afternoon consisted of workshop sessions to identify the key priorities for inclusion in Basildon’s community cohesion strategy 2009-2012.
The conference was the start of a positive dialogue on plans for promoting fairness and cohesion in the district.
It was a platform aimed at encouraging open and forthright debate on community concerns, including past and current performance on equality issues.
Councillor Andrew Baggott, cabinet member for communities, said:
“The event was a magnificent success and a great catalyst for all agencies and groups in the district to pull together and work in partnership to build a fairer, more inclusive and cohesive Basildon.
“We want to create ‘One Basildon’ in which people get on well together, where everyone belongs and has a stake in the future of our district”.
Bala Mahendran, the council’s chief executive, said: "We welcomed the expert contributions from our speakers and the committed and passionate contributions of the delegates, including those who were critical of current or past policy and practice.
“It is only by having these debates that we can identify the community’s concerns and priorities and begin improving local inclusion and cohesion".
Ndunge Kivuitu, the council’s inclusion & diversity manager, said: “The conference represents a new beginning for inclusion and cohesion in the district.
“Our new community cohesion strategy, 2009 to 2012 will provide the means to secure improvements that will benefit the whole community.
“The council and its partners will expect to be held to public account for progress in implementing the strategy and I fully expect us to deliver on our commitments”.
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