At a MEETING of the RACE, ETHNICITY AND BELIEF ACTION GROUP held at Dundee on
Wednesday, 30th June, 2010.
Present:Bruce PATRICK, Chair, Dundee City Council
Joyce BARCLAY, Depute Chair, Dundee City Council
Laura CHRISTIE, Dundee City Council
Robin SHIELDS, Dundee City Council
Anne HAMILTON, Dundee College
Joanna DAVIDSON, Dundee International Women's Centre
Gwendoline TELFORD, Dundee International Women's Centre
Zoe WATSON, Citizen's Advice Bureau
Cathy McINNES, Building Bridges
Nadia CAMPBELL, Building Bridges
Vali HUSSEIN, Amina - Muslim Women Resource Centre
I
WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND ROLE OF THE GROUP
Bruce Patrick welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made round the table.
II
MINUTE OF MEETING OF 31ST MARCH 2010
The minute was submitted and approved.
III
LOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY
Laura Christie and Robin Shields of the Housing Department gave a presentation to members on the
Local Housing Strategy, a copy of which is appended to the minute, which would be adopted by the
end of 2010.
Laura explained to members why the City Council had a local housing strategy, what it was hoped to
achieve and how the City Council hoped to fulfil this.
Laura advised that it was important to identify any communities/ethnic groups whose needs had not
been identified in the strategy, or any actions which should be taken. Thereafter, significant
discussion followed on how this could be best achieved.
It was noted that:
consultation with ethnic communities was more meaningful if conducted within known
environments, and where applicable, with known individuals providing translation
services.

informal consultation events would produce better results than more formal events.

it was important to establish the needs of the whole community.

it was important to gain the trust of those communities that engagement was being
sought with, and establish why their views were required ie to create a better future for
them and their families within Dundee.

consultees should be given realistic expectations regarding the outcome of any
consultation exercises.
Members agreed that this discussion had been extremely useful and it was noted that Laura Christie
would contact individual organisations to facilitate the consultation process. Thereafter, Laura and
Robin were thanked for their interesting and informative discussion.
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IV
RAPID IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Bruce Patrick tabled a document used by Dundee City Council, a copy of which is appended to the
minute, to demonstrate to members the processes Dundee City Council go through to become aware
the impact that their policies have.
Members agreed that when informing communities of new policies, documentation was often used
that was too complex and the suggestion was made that easy read documentation/pictures be used to
re-inforce messages. It was further agreed that it may also be possible to disseminate such
information through community representatives, and that different communication methods would
allow more effective communication with all communities.
V
AOCB
Bruce Patrick requested that members contact him should they have any preference for guest
speakers at future meetings.
VI
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, 29th September, 2010 at 10.00 am.
Bruce PATRICK, Chair.