Bodies 'fail race equality duty'

Cherry Short: "The time for good intentions had passed"

Councils, NHS Trusts and fire services in Wales have been accused of complacency over fulfilling their duties towards racial equality.

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has found that none of 43 public bodies surveyed were properly meeting one of their key responsibilities.

The CRE research focussed on how the organisations monitored the ethnic origin of their staff.

The deadline for starting this procedure passed three years ago.

If the bodies continue to fail to bring in race equality measures as required by law, the CRE warned that their chief executives could face contempt of court charges and possible imprisonment.

This is about creating a level playing field for all CRE Commissioner Cherry Short

Speaking in Cardiff on Monday, CRE Commissioner for Wales Cherry Short said "complacency has taken over from commitment" on race equality issues.

"The time is long past when the commission might be prepared to rely on good intentions rather than practical delivery," she said.

"Welsh public bodies need to show that delivery against this duty is a live part of their regular work.

"This is about creating a level playing field for all and ensuring that public money spent in Wales is done so on a basis of equality."

In its research, the CRE approached all local authorities, all NHS Trusts, the three fire services and four other public bodies.

The majority have now committed themselves to collect and publish information about staff's origins in the future, but the CRE said that five bodies failed to respond by a deadline set by the organisation.

CRE director Chris Myant said data about staff was "a central tool"

Among those who did not reply, Rhondda Cynon Taf council has since said it fully intended to fulfil its duty and indicated measures it would take.

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust, North West NHS Trust and Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust were the four other bodies the CRE said did not provide the information.

Chris Myant, the director of CRE Wales, said he was "slightly puzzled" by their lack of response.

He said the CRE was aware it would take time for changes to be introduced, but said all organisations should have had them in place since May 2002.

"The data is a central tool for managers to evaluate if they are improving race equality for their staff and the public in general," he said.

"We are trying to say this is not a burden, but helps the organisation run better."

All bodies now have until 11 July to deliver full details of planned action, after which the CRE will pass its report to its legal committee.

Ms Short then has the power to issue compliance notices, which mean a body has to meet regulations by a certain time and, if they fail, the chief executive could face contempt of court charges.