BURY'S determination to bring racial equality right across the community has taken another step forward.

Senior managers and councillors within the council have become the latest to undergo training in order to ensure they are fully aware of the authority's statutory requirements.

The move is just part of Bury Council's progress towards developing its own Race Equality Scheme, which is expected to be published by November of this year.

Already introduced is a Race Equality Policy that highlights the value that is placed on the racial and cultural diversity which currently exists in the borough-wide community.

Executive member for economic and social regeneration, Councillor Ray Watts, said: "Our Race Equality Policy recognises the harmful effects of racism and prejudice in society which, unless checked, can unfairly limit the life chances of many individuals, especially those from black and minority ethnic communities. We want to see them very much part of the borough's social, economic, political and cultural life.

"To do that, we believe that discrimination and disadvantage do need to be combated. Hopefully, by ensuring that the council's regular decision-makers, senior officers and councillors, are fully briefed and aware of their obligations, we can ensure that the policies put in place are the right ones."

Following the training sessions, the intention is to develop specific action plans which in turn will lead to the local authority's draft Race Equality Scheme being produced.

Coun Watts, added: "As a council we are determined to meet our legal obligations and with that in mind, we are being guided by the basic principles of equality of access to local services, resources and employment as well as tackling all forms of racism.

"We believe that what we are doing now will help to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, while promoting that equality of opportunity and also establishing good relations between people from different ethnic groups."