PENDLE people are being asked to give their opinions on a draft racial equality scheme produced by Pendle Council.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 requires the council to produce such a scheme to promote racial equality in relation to both delivery of its services and employment.

It sets out how the council will deal with complaints, how it will consult the public, tell its staff about its plans, tell the public about its progress on equality, and what race equality performance indicators it will publish.

A large number of local organisations have been consulted about the draft scheme including Pendle Partnership (LSP), the council's area committees, Pendle Youth Council, local parish and town councils, the Disability Consultation Forum, a variety of ethnic minority advisory associations in the borough, the voluntary and community sector network, neighbouring councils, Lancashire County Council, the police and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust.

A short summary leaflet is also being sent to libraries, community centres, health centres, council offices and community groups, inviting comments from members of the public.

Comments must be in by July 5 and the scheme will be finalised in August before being adopted by the full council.

Philip Mousdale, the council's secretary and solicitor, said: "The adoption of this scheme is the start of a process which will have profound implications for the whole council and for the public as users of council services. Its importance cannot be overstated."