The Commission for the Compact is carrying out a consultation to review the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Code and look at how equalities and race relations issues are woven into future Compact documentation. The consultation will ensure that the BME Code remains relevant, useful and challenging, and takes into account recent developments in equality, diversity, race relations and human rights law. A legal analysis of the Code was recently undertaken by the human rights and equalities lawyer, Karon Monaghan QC, on behalf of the Commission for the Compact. You can download a copy of the analysis at the link below.

Your views are very important. Get involved by participating in the following activities:

A debate on the results of the legal review and what it means for the BME Code and for wider equalities issues in the Compact has started on the Compact's new online Forum.

A survey on the current BME Code, and how it can be strengthened for the future.

A series of regional workshops discussing the findings of the analysis: Leicester 7th November 2008, Manchester 24th November 2008 and London 28th November 2008.

The Scrutiny Board need to hear from you as part of the scrutiny into Investment Planning.

How has Investment Planning worked for our region?
What impact has Investment Planning had on the sub-regional economies?
What lessons do we need to learn as we move into Geographic Programmes?

Over the next month the Assembly’s Scrutiny Board will be speaking with key partners in the region and would like to hear your views. There are a number of ways to do this:

· Come to the public discussion and pose your questions to Yorkshire Forward on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at Wheelers Hall, Leeds, 10.30- 3pm. Booking form attached.

·Write to us or email us with your views and experiences to scrutiny@yhassembly.gov.uk by Friday 10 October 2008. A response form is attached.

·Log onto the Assembly website to access key documents and feed in your views - www.yhassembly.gov.uk

See attached V4CE's Information Update with news on the most recent and upcoming policy consultations, news and events.

The Empowerment Fund is being developed by the Government following the launch of the Communities and Local Government's White Paper 'Communities in control: real people, real power' on 9th July 2008. The Fund will provide support for existing national third sector organisations operating across England to help local communities turn key proposals into practical action on the ground. The Fund will be of total value of £7.5 million which will be provided over the three years.

It has been established against the background of the Government’s aim to pass power into the hands of local communities, to generate vibrant local democracy in every part of the country, and to give real control over local decisions and services to a wider pool of active citizens.

The deadline to submit a response is 30th September.

NCVO has produced a Briefing on the White Paper. The briefing is very helpful to understand the White Paper and therefore is helpful in understanding the Empowerment Fund consultation.