Decision details
Non Cabinet Members' Debate
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
The following motion was agreed as an outcome of the non-cabinet member debate:
Forward Together: Brent’s commitment to tackle racial inequalities
The Council Notes:
§ Brent is the most diverse borough in London, with a long and proud tradition of celebrating diversity and welcoming people from all backgrounds and communities to live, learn and work here.
§ Brent has the seventh highest Black community in London by numbers; with generations of unique stories of trial and unsung achievements.
§ The murder of George Floyd in the United States of America has justifiably triggered global protests against institutional racism faced by Black people, including here in the United Kingdom.
§ That alongside this monstrous act of police brutality, the world is looking on with growing alarm at the ongoing situation in Nigeria, in which peaceful protestors, campaigning for change – are being killed by security forces.
§ That these global protests have come alongside all the inequalities faced by Black people, in the wake of the devastatingly disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities in Britain and other parts of the world.
§ That it is clear that this impact has been made far worse by the structural inequalities Black people face when it comes to health, education and housing.
§ The welcome commitment to embed equality and diversity in all the activities the council undertakes through the ten point Brent Black Community Action Plan.
This Council believes:
§ That Black Lives Matter.
§ That George Floyd’s murder must be a catalyst for permanent change both at home and overseas.
§ That no institution can absolve itself of the responsibility to do more to tackle racial inequalities.
§ That there is no place for racism, anti-Semitism, islamophobia or any form of xenophobia or bigotry anywhere in our democracy.
§ That language is a powerful tool for inspiration and change, as well as oppression and ignorance and must be used wisely and respectfully.
§ That it is vital all efforts are taken to understand the impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities in Brent and that we should work with all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact now and into the future.
This Council Resolves:
§ To show continued leadership in the campaign to rid our city and world of racism.
§ To continue working to achieve the ten point Brent Black Community Action Plan, which includes tackling health inequalities, developing community spaces that will be run and managed by members of the community and an internal review of processes in the council.
§ That the work of elected representatives in this chamber, must play a substantive and public role in ensuring racism and discrimination are challenged and eradicated at all levels.
§ To continually seek the views of our diverse communities across Brent on the issues arising from the Black Lives Matter protests.
§ To call on the government to fully uphold the protections contained in the Equality Act of 2010 and to implement the recommendations contained in the:
(i) Public Health England report into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our BAME communities;
(ii) The Lammy report
(iii) The Angiolini review
(iv) The Home Office Windrush review
(v) McGregor-Smith review
Publication date: 27/11/2020
Date of decision: 23/11/2020
Decided at meeting: 23/11/2020 - Council
Accompanying Documents: