Carbon Innovation Fund & BME Communities
Dear Manchester City Council,
I would like to make an open government request for all the
information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act. In order to assist you with this request I am outlining my query as specifically as possible.
If however this request is too wide or too unclear, please contact me immediately as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
Out of Manchester's Carbon Innovation Fund, how much funding was awarded to BME communities/organisations? Which organisations were awarded and how much?
Yours faithfully,
Z. Hussain
Dear Mr Hussain
Please find attached in response to your request for information.
(See attached file: ResponseNBH8F6GT3.pdf)
Yours sincerely
Information Compliance Unit
Democratic Services
PO Box 532
Town Hall
Albert Square
Manchester
M60 2LA
Email: [Manchester City Council request email]
Website: www.manchester.gov.uk
Dear Mr. Sharland,
Thank you for your response thus far. However, your response was incomplete.
The information I requested was:
"Out of Manchester's Carbon Innovation Fund, how much funding was awarded to BME communities/organisations? Which organisations were awarded and how much?"
Thus far, you have indicated that no specific project focused on BME communities, but 8 did work to benefit BME communities.
You have not indicated the amount of funding provided to each of these projects.
In addition, I would like to know the total spend so I can determine the proportion that contributed towards BME communities.
Yours Sincerely,
Z. Hussain
Dear Mr Hussain
Please find attached in response to your request for information.
(See attached file: FOI MCI Fund Q2.doc)
Yours sincerely
Information Compliance Unit
Democratic Services
PO Box 532
Town Hall
Albert Square
Manchester
M60 2LA
Email: [Manchester City Council request email]
Website: www.manchester.gov.uk
Dear Manchester City Council,
Thank you for the information you provided.
You are correct to state that it is difficult to ascertain the precise engagement of BME communities/individuals.
However, from the information provided, it is clear that no BME community groups (i.e. 0%) received funding DIRECTLY from you, which is worrying.
This was despite that fact that almost a third of Manchester's population is of BME origin, greater than the 27% of the community projects you state as having been 'with BME communities'. It is doubtful that these projects were exclusively for BME communities and hence the 27% figure is a theoretical maximum.
This was also despite the fact that Manchester Council for Community Relations (MCCR) and the Manchester BME Network are proud to have more than 200 BME member organisations between them.
I hope that this FOI now alerts you to better engage with BME communities in the future.
Yours faithfully,
Z. Hussain
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