Now BCAF and BCF must work together!

Abdul Shaif - Black Community Forum

I believe that the key to the success of New Deal, mainstream services and other initiatives will be the ability of Black Community Forum (BCF) and the Burngreave Community Action Forum (BCAF) to work more effectively together. Dialogue and discussion will allow us to make collective representations about our common concerns to those in authority, such as Government Office.

BCAF and BCF need to develop structures appropriate to the local circumstances and act as a means of exchanging and sharing skills, information, experience, support and good practice. Both groups need to respect each other and consult each other on matters of strategic importance to Burngreave.

BCF and BCAF need to work together to promote the interests of the people living in Burngreave in a way which is transparent, inclusive and involves all the key voluntary and community organisations in the Burngreave area. Working together, Black CARD and BCAT can develop a joint strategy to enable us, together, to develop a Burngreave Managing Agency.

Both must demonstrate in their work a shared commitment and vision to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area, and ensure that those who live and work in Burngreave are at the heart of governing their locality.

Both Forums should encourage and enable their members and users to speak for themselves and support them to identify their own solutions.

Find out more about Local Government and the New Deal in Burngreave. What do you think? Join the debate on our Local Government and the New Deal bulletin board.