Jersey Community Relations Trust - appointment of Chairman and a Trustee

STATES OF JERSEY

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JERSEY COMMUNITY RELATIONS TRUST: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND A TRUSTEE

Lodged au Greffe on 11th May 2004 by the Policy and Resources Committee

STATES GREFFE

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

to a p point, in pursuance of paragraph 5.1 of the Constitution of the Jersey Community Relations Trust, as

amended –

(a ) th e Rev. Lewis William Matthews as the Chairman of the Jersey Community Relations Trust, and (b ) S e nator Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf as a Trustee of the Jersey Community Relations Trust;

fo r a period of three years from the date of appointment.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

REPORT

The Constitution of the Jersey Community Relations Trust, as amended by the States on 20th January 2004, sets out the aims of the Trust as follows –

" T o s eek to eliminate discrimination on any ground including, but not limited to, grounds of colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins, gender or sexual orientation, disability or age, by promoting good relations between all members of society, and seeking to achieve equality of treatment and opportunity within our community".

The Objectives are further specified in paragraph  3 of the Trust Constitution, as follows – (a ) T o encourage mutual respect among all people in the Island.

(b ) T o promote equality of treatment and opportunity.

(c ) T o encourage and facilitate partnerships which enhance social harmony.

( d ) T o identify areas where discrimination arises, while promoting and encouraging existing and

future initiatives to tackle it.

(e ) T o promote education in the community about the aim of the Trust.

(f ) T o promote recognition and acceptance of cultural diversity.

(g ) T o promote training in furtherance of the aim of the Trust and the development thereof. (h ) T o provide information and advice and facilitate initiatives concerning discrimination. (i ) T o sponsor and support research in furtherance of the aim of the Trust.

(j ) T o take measures to counter discriminatory behaviour, attitudes, and policies.

(k ) T o monitor these objectives.

Appointment of Chairman

Paragraph  5.1 of the Trust Constitution requires that the Policy and Resources Committee shall recommend to the States the appointment of a Chairman. The Committee recommends the appointment of the Rev. Bill Matthews, who is currently the Chairman of the Steering Group formed to establish the new Trust.

The experience and qualifications of Rev.  Matthews with regard to this appointment are as follows –

1955 – 1978: V a rious church appointments, including Sheffield Industrial Mission Chaplain, Vicar of the

large parish of Braunstone in Leicestershire, and Rector of Thornaby Team Ministry. These appointments provided experience in co-ordination with voluntary and statutory social services and chairing several community and social work committees.

1978 – 1979: D ir ector of a national plant hire company in the United Kingdom.

1979 – 1984: D ir ector of the London Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility. This involved establishing a

new Board to deal with the problems of alcoholism, race awareness, unemployment, urban deprivation and sexual relationships. The work involved raising awareness of the issues and developing responses, and securing and managing funding for practical community work carried out by over 30 professional workers.

1984 – 1994: W a rden of Durning Hall , Aston Charities Trust Ltd., involving community work with people of

all ages and ethnic backgrounds in the East End of London. The Hall provided support to 3,000 – 4,000 people per week in a multi-racial area, and included settling up a resettlement hostel, a New Business Centre and Community Involvement Unit.

F o u n d er m e m ber of London's first Anti-racist Committee, and Chairman of the local

Community Health Council.

Post retirement:  A ctive involvement in a number of  initiatives in Jersey, including –

• A n o ri g in a l member of Network Against Abuse and Violence

• C h a ir m  an o f One World Week

• F o ru m   o n R acism

• F o ru m   o n R acial Intolerance

• W o r k s h o p s on proposal to establish the Community Relations Trust.

 C u r re n t ly h o n o rary priest-in-charge of Gouray Church, St. Martin . States appointment of a Trustee

The Trust Constitution also requires that the States shall appoint as a Trustee a Member, who is not a member of the Policy and Resources Committee, and who is committed to the objectives of the Jersey Community Relations Trust as set out in paragraph  3 of the Constitution.

The President of the Policy and Resources Committee has invited all Members of the States to consider, with due regard to the commitment required to the objectives of the Trust, if they would wish to be appointed by the States as a Trustee. Senator Philip Ozouf has indicated his willingness in this regard.

Appointment of further Trustees

The Policy and Resources Committee is required to appoint one Trustee from its membership, and has accordingly appointed Senator Wendy Kinnard. A further 2 Trustees, who are not members of the States, shall be appointed by the Home Affairs Committee and the Education, Sport and Culture Committee. Thereafter, the Trustees appointed as above shall appoint a further 5 independent Trustees.