CITY COUNCIL TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC COMMUNITIES - CITY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd May 2008

Cambridge City Councillors unanimously supported a motion to review provision of cultural events and activities to see whether they could better meet the interests of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Cambridge.

Following a very positive BME survey report last autumn, Councillors agreed to go even further in assessing the needs of BME communities and in providing them with attractive and accessible cultural events services.

Lib Dem Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith, Leader of the Council, commented:

"The survey report showed very positive responses to many aspects of the way the Council engages with members of BME communities.

"The survey indicated that attendance at events at the Corn Exchange and other cultural promotions across the city was lower than for other residents.

"We would like to understand the factors behind this and so I'm delighted that the Council has agreed to see what needs to be done to improve this uptake.

"I greatly value the ethnic diversity of the City of Cambridge and I look forwards to working more closely with BME communities so we can tune the programmes of events that we put on to match more precisely their needs and expectations."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) The motion can be found on http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2008/0522cncl/00_2.pdf

2) The main Citizens Survey 2007 and the BME Booster survey can be located at http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/strategy-and-partnerships/citizens-survey.en