The Equalities and Engagement Officer informed the Committee that the Council had a Service Level Agreement in place with VALREC to undertake work on its behalf and in accordance with the Service Level Agreement, the Committee would receive an update on the work undertaken by VALREC.

The Committee received a report from Elaine Clayton, Chief Executive of VALREC on the work undertaken by the organisation.  She stated that VALREC is the only locally based provider of equalities services in the South Wales valleys, covering one of the greatest pockets of deprivation in Western Europe, evidenced by the continuation of European funding.  VALREC had seen an increase in its casework and received funding from Bridgend County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council, with Blaeanau Gwent, Merthyr and Torfaen Councils funding VALREC to undertake pieces of work on their behalf.

The Chief Executive of VALREC informed the Committee that it undertook casework, training and strategic work on behalf of Bridgend County Borough Council and directed families who contact the organisation to the correct support.

The Chief Executive of VALREC informed the Committee that the organisation had received funding for an identity project which aimed to support and empower young people aged 14 to 25 years with the protected characteristics of race; sexual orientation and gender reassignment.  The project will operate for three years and provide confidence building to enable young people with protected characteristics to gain the confidence and skills to exercise their rights and make informed choices, combatting isolation during their often difficult transition to adulthood, employment, training or further education.  VALREC had also received funding for a three year Hate Crime Advocacy and Empowerment Project, to pilot the use of independent advocacy for victims of hate crime and empower communities affected by hate crime in the South East Wales area.  Recruitment for the Project was due to commence shortly which had received big lottery funding.  The outcome of bids for a trans-gender project and an advice giving project would be known on 6 August 2014 and 25 July 2014 respectively.  The Increasing Black and Minority Ethnic Employment and Tackling Employment in activity project had received a further extension in funding until March 2015, whilst the Minorities are Wales Resources Project had been extended until December 2014.

The Chief Executive of VALREC outlined the case work undertaken during the last six months, wherein it had opened 35 case files as a result of supporting 21 individuals.  The number of case files processed reflected resources and capacity of VALREC and was not a reflection of the extent of discrimination or of the level of demand on its services and did not include the number of people who had accessed the same services through VALREC’s individual projects.  She stated that the provision of case work support had had the largest impact on its limited resources.

The Chief Executive of VALREC also informed the Committee that VALREC had supported 175 people with protected characteristics through its advice and advocacy service, which helped people overcome issues that may directly or indirectly affect their ability to look for work, retain employment and access services.  It had also run a number of courses from managing under-age sales prevention, health and safety to customer care courses. It had also assisted people with CV writing, job searches and in completing application forms to secure employment.  VALREC had also worked with a number of organisations through training or direct guidance/support in the County Borough.

The Chairperson on behalf of the Committee thanked the Chief Executive of VALREC for her informative presentation on the work of VALREC.  He stated that it had been necessary for the Council to reduce its funding to VALREC through the Service Level Agreement due to the need to adhere to the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

RESOLVED:         That the Committee noted the six monthly report on casework undertaken by VALREC in the County Borough.