Unity breaks out at BCAF meeting

The BCAF Extraordinary General Meeting on April 13th saw universal calls for unity and strong commitments to the future of BCAF. We heard from a wide range of speakers from the New Deal, BCAF, and community organisations and during the lively and detailed debate there were many strong criticisms of the move to the council as the New Deal employer, and of the council's record.

Moving forward together

Many voiced support for BCAT in its key role of supporting a partnership of community organisations, and of BCAF in representing local residents views. New Deal Partnership Board Chair and local councillor Steve Jones gave strong commitments to future support for BCAT, describing the change in the employment contract as a tough decision made to ensure robust employment conditions. Not everyone agreed but all the speakers echoed his calls to move on and work together to make sure the £52,000,000 New Deal funding is spent effectively.

New Deal Chair and Chief Exec to resign

The meeting was also told that both Steve Jones and Mithu Komarnyckiyj, New Deal Chief Exec. will be stepping down due to the time pressures of the New Deal. Many were concerned about how the community was represented and the meeting called for the BCAF representative in New Deal to be reinstated. All offered support for a wide and inclusive partnership of all community and council organisations delivering New Deal projects.

What do you think? Join the debate on our Local Government and New Deal bulletin board