Carrickfergus Borough Council - Good Relations

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Good Relations

The Good Relations function of Council is overseen by the Good Relations Sub Committee of Council which sits in the Development Services Department. Partially funded by Council and partly by the Community Relations Unit (Office of the First and Deputy First Minister), the Unit has grown out of the old Community Relations model which has been superceded by the Good Relations Duty (part 2, Section 75, Northern Ireland Act 1998).

What is Good Relations?

Good Relations is a legal requirement that places an onus on public bodies to 'promote positive relationships between persons of different religious belief, political opinion and racial group.'

• It examines prejudice, discrimination and exclusion.
• It promotes tolerance, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
• It attempts to bring people together to explore differences and find ways of working

In order to fufil these obligations, Council has adopted a Statement to reflect its commitment to working with the community and other service providers to tackle issues emanating from sectarianism and racist practices. The Statement reads; -

‘To actively promote and engage with the community to improve Good Relations within the Borough whilst at all times respecting difference and valuing partnerships with other service providers.’

Council has also adopted a Good Relations Strategy for the next number of years which sets out the actions required to move the process forward.