Community Cohesion and Equality
ListenCommunity Cohesion
Put simply, the way in which groups of people get on with one another and support each other is known as ‘community cohesion’. Community cohesion is strongest when everyone has the opportunity, the resources and the motivation to participate in society as fully as they wish and on an equal basis with others.
Our performance indicators show that Bracknell Forest is a very cohesive place already:
In 2003, 66% agreed that Bracknell Forest was a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together, which rose to 81% in 2006. In 2008, 82% of people agreed with this statement demonstrating that high levels of community cohesion are being maintained despite the economic downturn and increased diversity in the borough. This result is amongst the highest of all Local Authority areas in England.
It is important that we do not become complacent and that we ensure that we are aware of the changes in communities and their needs. In Bracknell Forest community cohesion is not just about what we do, it is also about how we do things and our whole approach to dealing with residents and communities.
‘All of Us’
We have a new robust strategy for the next three years, ‘All of Us’, which details exactly what the Council, its partners and local people need to do, to ensure that community cohesion is strengthened and promoted and to ensure quality for all in Bracknell Forest.
This Community Cohesion Strategy provides all of us with a framework with which to promote positive relationships and to ensure that we do not disrespect, neglect, or disadvantage any member of our community.
Because ensuring that everyone has similar opportunities is a theme that is central to all community cohesion issues, we have decided to group together all of the Council’s equalities work under the umbrella of All of Us, Community Cohesion Strategy.
All of Us Community Cohesion Strategy (8770kb)- Race Equality Scheme
- Disability Equality Scheme
- Gender Equality Scheme
Our Shared Future – the National Picture
The publication of the report ‘Our Shared Future’ by the Commission for Cohesion and Integration, is also leading the way forward by identifying key areas where Local Authorities can help improve community cohesion. These are:
- “Firstly, the sense of shared futures … an emphasis on articulating what binds communities together rather than what differences divide them, and prioritising a shared future over divided legacies
- Secondly, an emphasis on a new model of rights and responsibilities … one that makes clear both a sense of citizenship at national and local level, and the obligations that go along with membership of a community, both for individuals or groups
- Thirdly, an ethics of hospitality – a new emphasis on mutual respect and civility that recognises that alongside the need to strengthen the social bonds within groups, the pace of change across the country reconfigures local communities rapidly, meaning that mutual respect is fundamental to issues of integration and cohesion
- A commitment to equality that sits alongside the need to deliver visible social justice, to prioritise transparency and fairness, and build trust in the institutions that arbitrate between groups.”
Equalities Framework
Bracknell Forest Council has successfully met the Achieving Level of the Equality Framework which helps local authorities improve their performance on equality and diversity. IDeA peer reviewers spent two days at the council, in July 2010, in interviews and group meetings with managers, employees, councillors and partners.
The reviewers praised the council’s excellent work in meeting the needs of specific communities, including people with disabilities and the Nepali community, its efforts to build community cohesion and its strong culture of partnership working and engagement with the community and voluntary sector.
The Council is continuing its journey of improvement on equality and diversity and working towards the Excellent level of the Framework.
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