About the BME Pact

Background
Official Launch
Priorities
Chairman's Statement
Board Members

Background:

Many of the existing members of the BME Pact have been meeting and discussing common issues for the last four years. Through these meetings and through the work of the ESF Funded capacity building project in 2002, it emerged that there was a need to develop a forum through which these issues could be resolved. This saw the early stages of the development of the BME Pact, which was finally formed as an organisation in May 2003.

Official Launch:

The BME Pact was formally launched at County Hall, Preston on Thursday 11th March 2004. Those invited to the launch include dignitaries from the County Council, BME Pact members and BME organisations throughout Lancashire, as well as other voluntary and statutory organisations.

Recognising the launch of the BME Pact, the Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Cllr Vali Patel said:

“I am delighted that a Lancashire Black and Minority Ethnic PACT (BME PACT) has been formed with a pledge to build a solid foundation to tackle community cohesion across the county. The plan to expand from its current base of twelve organisations to a broader coalition would be of immense help to the significant work of the PACT.

“I am pleased to hear that the BME PACT intends to speak with one voice on issues affecting social /exclusion / inclusion, education, training, health, housing and employment across the diverse communities of Lancashire. I am pleased that the County Council has been able to help support the development of the BME PACT with money from the European Social Fund.

“I offer my congratulations to the BME PACT, wish them well for the future and look forward to working in partnership on issues of mutual interest.”

Future Goals:

The Pact's future goals are as follows:

• Secure further funding from Lancashire County Council
• Secure funding from external sources
• Develop the capacity of Lancashire BME Pact and member organisations
• Produce a membership pack & unified selling points to attract corporate & voluntary organisations and, in turn, increase the membership – BME/VCFS Organisations to 50 and to have at least 10 corporate members on board
• Continue to work in partnership with agencies
• Promote the work of our member organisations at local and regional levels
• Build on national and international partnerships with similar organisations with assistance from established contacts with the European Parliament and Lancashire County Council Office in Brussels
• Continue to identify and address the needs of our members
• Develop bespoke training packages for our members

Chairman's Statement:

“I am delighted to have my organisation be a part of the Access and Participation Project funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). During that period we have gained a lot of valuable experience and most importantly exchanged a lot of good practice in managing community and voluntary organisations. Our networking between the original eight community organisations from a diverse background prompted us to develop a forum that would provide help to each other and create a professional network of Black and Minority Ethnic community groups and organisations. Colleagues from other organisations including the County Council supported the idea and consultant Professor Peter Lloyds of Liverpool University further encouraged it.

“My vision is to see the BME Pact become a reputable and conspicuous establishment with capacity to represent, challenge and contribute to the BME issues including improving the quality of life for our communities, which is at the cutting edge of supporting our members and their communities. The rapid increase in racism and community disintegration over the years in Lancashire created a whole range of challenges for other authorities and us.”

Sadar Uddin
Chairman
Lancashire BME PACT

Board Members:

• David Knight (Chair) – Nguzo Saba Centre
• Parvinder Sohal (Treasurer) - LWNMEW
• Ishwer Tailor (Company Secretary) – Gujarat Hindu Society
• Anayat Mohammad (Vice Chair) – Co-opted Public Sector Member
  
• Rehmat Hasham – Kutchi Women’s Group
• Mebs Ahmed – Lancashire Black Police Association
• Sadar Uddin – Ashiana Housing & Bangladesh Welfare Association
• Amina Iqbal – Hyndburn Asian Women’s Association
• Mohammad Rafique Malik – Jinnah