Ayrshire

2.0 Assessing the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Ayrshire in connection with the Services provided by Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board.

2.1 According to the 2001 Census the ethnic minority population of Ayrshire is extremely small. Over 99% of the population is White British or White Irish and the largest ethnic group in Ayrshire is Chinese (0.18%). This proportion is smaller than the Scottish average and subsequently smaller than in the cities and larger urban areas in Scotland.

2.2 South Ayrshire Council together with Race and Equality Partners identified that the first priority should be to carry out a needs assessment of ethnic minority communities across Ayrshire in order to provide a more sound foundation for race equality work. This survey was carried out and produced nearly 150 responses, approximately 10% of the ethnic minority population of Ayrshire.

2.3 Summary of Key Findings

The biggest response came from the Chinese community, with smaller responses from the Pakistani and Indian communities. The main issues raised were as follows:-

A) The most important issue for the Chinese community is for interpreters and the provision of information in minority languages, particularly Cantonese.

B) The main requirement for the Muslim community is culturally appropriate facilities, such as single sex swimming and gyms and access to community centres and grants to support religious events.

C) In terms of community safety, most respondents are primarily concerned about young people hanging around neighbourhoods and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

D) Thirty per cent of respondents are concerned about racism and 21 per cent state that they are concerned about harassment. However, racism and harassment rank below vandalism as issue for concern.

E) Thirty-six per cent of all those surveyed state that they have suffered from discrimination at one time, mainly in the form of verbal racial abuse.

F) In terms of health services, one in four of those who responded to this study are not registered with a dentist.

G) Six per cent of all respondents said that they had made a complaint about a public service and 14 per cent stated that they had wished to make a complaint, but has been unsure how to do so.

H) Broadly speaking, respondents were positive about considering a career in public services.

2.4 Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board has considered the above findings and which of them are relevant to the functions of the Board. The Board's relevant functions and action plans reflect the input of findings A), D), E), G) and H) above.