Liberal Democrats call for YREN funding (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Liberal Democrats call for YREN funding

May 20, 2008 3:46 PM

Lynne Featherstone MP, Cllr Madeleine Kirk and members of York Race Equality Network

Liberal Democrat Councillors and Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone are calling on the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) to provide much-needed funding for the York Racial Equality Network (YREN).

YREN is a local group that provides mutual support to people experiencing racial harassment, victimisation or isolation. They also promote awareness of the needs of ethnic minority people in the York area, and offer information.

Lynne Featherstone MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Youth and Equality, visited York Racial Equality Network (YREN) on Friday, with Liberal Democrat Councillors Keith Aspden, Andrew Waller and Madeleine Kirk, to gain an understanding of the work going on in York towards achieving greater community cohesion and racial equality. Lynne met with the Director of YREN, Rita Sanderson, and members of the group to discuss the work they do. The meeting was part of Lynne's trip to York to find out about youth and equality work, as well as community and voluntary organizations in the city.

YREN has funding guaranteed for the next 3 years from York Council, and has, for several years, been able to rely on the Commission for Racial Equality (which preceded CEHR) for the rest of its funding. This year, however, it has been refused this funding from CEHR, which would allow YREN to continue to provide the same level of service which has been valued by its members.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillors have already written to CEHR, in support of YREN, asking that the funding is continued. Having understood the valuable work that YREN does by speaking to its members on Friday, Lynne Featherstone said she will be writing to Trevor Philips, Chair of CEHR, to ask him to reconsider YREN's application for funding.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Executive Member for Youth and Social Inclusion, led the visit to YREN on Friday. He said, "I am delighted that Lynne met with YREN to gain an insight into some of the fantastic equality work that YREN does here in York. We are very pleased that Lynne will be putting extra pressure on CEHR to fund YREN, by fully explaining to them the positive work that YREN does in the city, and how worthwhile this is."