Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Why do we need a regional quango?

Equality South West is the region's lead equality and human rights organisation. They facilitate regional equality networks on age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, and transgender. They claim to have Network Members throughout the whole region, in every parliamentary constituency.

Their Board of Trustees is made up of activists from each of the seven Networks, as well as senior colleagues from GOSW, the South West RDA, South West Councils, Business Link (Northern Arc), the South West TUC, the Learning and Skills Council, etc.

Allowing for the fact that we have a national human rights organisation (and that local councils show a commitment to equality for all of their residents) it would be interesting to know a) how much this organisation costs the taxpayer? and b) why is it necessary in the first place?