Memorandum from the Archbishop of York (YH 17)

 

 

 

Thank you for your invitation to make a submission regarding the work of Yorkshire Forward.

 

I would like to raise with you the issue of representation of faith communities in relation to the regional decision-making bodies.

 

1. There has been a steady diminishment of the representation offered to faith communities in recent years. This is having serious consequences, not only for the faith communities but also for those whom they serve in the region.

 

2. Under the Yorkshire & Humber Assembly, there was a dedicated seat on the Board for a representative of faith communities. There was also provision for a representative of faith communities to have a seat on each of the four subsidiary boards: namely education and skills, transport, planning and housing.

 

3. The Assembly delivered some excellent partnership achievements, including the creation of the Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum. The abolition of the Assembly has meant that faith communities and other third sector organisations are no longer properly represented at regional strategic level.

 

4. This has been evidenced by the developments which have taken place since the end of the Assembly. Now that the Yorkshire & Humber Assembly has been wound up, there no provision for faith communities on the Regional Committee. Neither is there provision for representation of faith committees on the four subsidiary boards. Instead, there is just provision on two of the boards for a representative from the third sector (on the Spatial Planning Board & the Regional Skills & Partnership Board). This person may or may not be a representative of a faith community. Two of the boards currently have no provision whatever for a third sector representative.

 

5. Since 2008, Yorkshire Forward has discussed the possibility of setting up a fifth board with responsibility for sustainability and inclusion. When the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward addressed the meeting of regional church leaders at Bishopthorpe in January 09, he mentioned that it might be possible to have more third sector involvement on this group. However, it has not yet been set up and we do not know if or when this is likely to take place.

 

6. This steady reduction of representation opportunities for faith communities is very serious because of the major role that faith communities fulfil in the region. This includes contribution to social cohesion, welfare provision, employment and training, health and provision of facilities for local communities.

The contribution that faith communities are making has been recognised in a number of recent government reports including 'Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the Potential' (2009).This report, produced by a working group with representatives from Her Majesty's Treasury, Communities and Local Government, Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Defra in conjunction with representatives of the Church of England, demonstrated the huge potential that church and other faith buildings have to help the Government to meet its agenda.

 

 

7. Proposed Solution: what Faith Communities need

 

Yorkshire Forward need to progress means by which effective consultation with faith communities and other stakeholders can take place. To achieve this, Yorkshire Forward need to increase opportunities for stakeholders including faith communities to get involved. It is important that they work out means by which faith groups can influence policy in a meaningful way.