Our Future is in Our Hands

Merlene Carrington reports on the OBV and BASSAC Birmingham civic and political empowernment roadshow.

Against the background of the student protests and anti-cuts demonstrations, a band of determined people have decided that the way to fight the planned spending cuts to services is to get ‘tooled up’.

Adopting Operation Black Vote’s (OBV) mantra “Our Future is in Our Hands” a community empowerment seminar hosted by Operation Black Vote and BASSAC was held in Birmingham last week. 

The purpose of the seminar was to give people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities the opportunity to learn how important decisions are made at Council level and offer opportunities to work with councillors to improve local areas for the benefit of local residents.

Francine Fernandes, Head of Shadowing Schemes, Operation Black Vote, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory, Councillor Tanveer Choudhry, Waseem Zaffar JP, a community activist, Councillor Steve Bedser and Pam Dixon from Be Involved spoke to the delegates about getting involved locally.

Francine delivered a rousing speech to start the day. She noted the key achievements the people of Birmingham should be proud of.  They include the fact that one-quarter of the councillors in Birmingham are from a BME background.  That Shabana Mahmood is the first Asian, female, Muslim MP in Birmingham.  And that Birmingham is well on its way to becoming one of the first majority BME cities in the UK.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Len Gregory spoke about the importance of gaining good accurate information in order to make good decisions and participate within the local democratic framework.

Councillor Tanveer Choudhry pointed out that local people were able to make a difference in their community.  Councillor Choudhry’s approachable and engaging style made delegates feel at ease as they listened to how he became a councillor and the work he currently gets involved in.  Delegates were advised of how to engage with the council in areas such as school admissions, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Choudhry said: “I particularly enjoyed the question and answer session and the audience participation.  It’s good to see local residents taking such an interest in local politics in these difficult times we are facing.   As councillors we are accountable to our constituents and should always be able to justify what we are doing to make the areas we serve cleaner, greener and safer for the residents of Birmingham.”

Decision-making, a huge part in civic life, was role played with delegates using their skills to understand how to spend council money.  Compromise, thinking outside of the box and forming alliances were key themes that presented themselves throughout the session.

Waseem Zaffar JP, a prolific community activist in Birmingham, spoke about his path towards community activism.  He said: "Events such as this are important in the capacity building of BME communities to play a role in the leadership of our cities and towns. I am pleased that this event has contributed in empowering the next generation of leaders in Birmingham's BME community."

Councillor Steve Bedser ended the day speaking about how to get involved.  Pam Dixon from Be Involved added a whole raft of ideas about how people they can ensure their voices are heard.  She told them: ‘Whether it is by becoming a community organiser, a housing association board member or a tenant inspector, there is something for everyone who wants to be involved in the great city of Birmingham’.

The road show continues in Manchester and two further dates in London.  Dates will be confirmed and publicised shortly.

Merlene Carrington is OBV Magistrates Shadowing Scheme Co-ordinator.

Main picture - The Lord Mayor, Councillor Len Gregory.