Wednesday 2 July 2008
REVIEW OF COMPACT’S BME CODE UNDERWAY
The Commission for the Compact has appointed the prominent human rights barrister, Karon Monaghan QC, to undertake an independent legal analysis and review of the Compact’s BME Code.
This Code - known in full as the Compact Code of Good Practice on Relations with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Voluntary and Community Organisations - forms one of the five Codes of Good Practice which underpin the Compact, the 10-year-old agreement which sets out shared commitments and guidelines for working between government and the voluntary and community sector.
The BME Code was launched in February 2001 and it sets out the way in which government should aim to work in partnership with organisations representing BME groups. It is based on a commitment to ensure fair representation of the issues facing BME groups, and includes measures to tackle disadvantage and exclusion from the formal funding and consultation processes, and an overarching commitment to race equality.
The analysis and review being undertaken by Karon Monaghan QC is to ensure the BME Code remains relevant, useful and challenging, and takes into account recent developments in equality, diversity, race relations and human rights law. This includes the founding of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, and the proposed introduction of a Single Equalities Bill in the next Parliamentary session, which will considerably change the legislative environment around equalities.
The process will consist of an independent legal analysis of the compatibility of the BME Code with relevant equalities and race relations law and the production of an options and recommendations paper, which will take into account the objectives of the BME Code and any anticipated legislative changes. Karon Monaghan QC has advised public authorities on their compliance with equality law and regularly advises public bodies and voluntary organisations on their respective responsibilities under the equality and human rights legislation.
Karon will report to the Commission during July, and the Commission will then announce the findings and make recommendations to the Compact partners for updating and enhancing the BME Code. This will be followed by consultation activity with the voluntary and community sector in the autumn.
Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, said: "I am delighted that the Commission has been able to call on the services of such an excellent legal mind to help us in the process of reviewing the BME Code. Karon's conclusions will begin the debate on how we move the BME Code forward and help us clarify how the Code should be updated and strengthened.”
Karon Monaghan QC said: “I am delighted to have been asked to undertake this important work. For the Code to remain relevant and effective in promoting a positive relationship between Government and the voluntary and community sector, it must, of course, reflect up to date legal standards and best practice. I hope that my contribution will ensure that it does.”
Vandna Gohil, Chief Executive of BME Third Sector representative body Voice4Change England, said: “Voice4Change England welcomes the legal review of the BME Code and is delighted that the Commission for the Compact is taking action to strengthen it. We support the review and look forward to engaging the BME Third Sector in getting a fairer deal.”
For more information about the Commission for the Compact please visit: http://www.thecompact.org.uk/
Notes for editors
• Established in April 2007, the Commission for the Compact is an independent body responsible for overseeing the Compact - an agreement between the Government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage and community gain. The Commission works with key partners to take the Compact forward including Compact Voice, who represent the views of the Third Sector on the Compact, the Office of the Third Sector and the Local Government Association (LGA).
• Karon Monaghan QC from Matrix Chambers has been appointed by the Commission for the Compact to undertake this independent research. Karon has a strong practice encompassing discrimination and equality, human rights and EU law. She is a Member of The Bar Equality and Diversity Committee, the Equal Treatment Advisory Committee of the JSB (2003-2011) and the Fawcett Commission on Women in the Criminal Justice System. www.matrixlaw.co.uk
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Morris, Head of Communications
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5913
Mobile: 07977 793 936
Email: rebecca.morris@thecompact.org.uk