Unity, Unity, Unity

By Mark Lankshear

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. 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 a strong commitment 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 Director to resign

The meeting was also told that both Steve Jones and Mithu Komarnyckyj, New Deal Director will be stepping down, (see New Deal pages). 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. 

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.