Agenda item

This report seeks Cabinet approval to endorse a re-prioritised Black Community Action Plan (BCAP).

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)        To approve the revised Black Community Action Plan (BCAP), including workstreams, new governance structures and timelines.

(2)        To approve, as requested through the community consultation in November 2024, extending the delivery period by at least 1 year to redress time lost, providing a remaining delivery period of 8 years in total (2025-33)

(3)        To approve that the plan concentrates on delivering the top 5 themes over a 4-year period (2025-29).

(4)        Whilst recognising as an outcome of the community consultation, that “accountability” ranked lower in terms of priority, in line with recommendations made previously during 2024 to approve the creation of an Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG) with Council representation to help inform officer-led Equity, Diversion and Inclusion work. The purpose of the IASG would be to inform and advise on delivery, attract funding opportunities, and provide assurance and transparency to the community. This would also demonstrate the Council’s commitment to co-design and co-produce activity informed by the community, including local experts and those with lived experience.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 23 June 25

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Children, Young People & Community Development outling the work undertaken to re-prioritise the Black Community Action Plan (BCAP).

In presenting the report to Cabinet members were reminded of the background and context which had led to the emergence of the Black Community Action Plan as a strategic initiative aimed at addressing systemic issues of racism and inequality within the borough.  In acknowledging the ongoing contribution from community leaders, activists, and residents across the borough who had engaged in development of the original plan, members were advised the opportunity had been taken to pause in order to reflect on the progress made with the revised plan and lessons learnt during the first phase of implementation.

As part of this process, consultation had been undertaken which had identified that whilst the original ten-year delivery plan remained ambitious there was a need to re-prioritise in order to provide a more defined focus on the top five themes over the next four years (2025-29).  As a result, the revised Action Plan presented for consideration had been developed with the aim of being able to deliver more tangible and measurable outcomes that would ensure the work being delivered was better aligned to the key priorities and what mattered most to Black residents and communities across Brent representing a core commitment to both equity and community ownership.

Whilst recognising that accountability ranked lower in priority as an outcome of the consultation process, members were advised the revised Action Plan included more robust governance structures, workstreams and timelines.  Having listened to comments made (and in line with previous recommendations) it was also proposed that an Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG) be established.  It was intended that the Group would provide consultative support, helping to inform and guide the officer-led Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion work, while also attracting external funding opportunities (recognising the constraints on funding) with its creation also felt to highlight the Council’s commitment to co-design and co-production in order to make sure that the voices of the community remained at the heart of the process.

In commending the revised Action Plan to Cabinet, members were advised of the intention not just to continue as before but to evolve and ensure that its delivery was embedded in council-wide frameworks with the progress made also being transparent and accountable to all communities and designed to provide a lasting impact.

In considering the report, Cabinet welcomed the revised focus within the Action Plan on efforts to address the systemic and structural issues that it was recognised continued to affect the Black community in Brent including the focus on health inequalities, education, employment, and representation and need to engage and challenge external partners such as the Health Service in support of its delivery.

In thanking all those who had engaged in the consultation and review process and recognising the way in which the revised Action Plan had been co-designed in conjunction with individuals and organisations representative of Brent’s Black communities, Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the revised Black Community Action Plan (BCAP), including workstreams, new governance structures and timelines.

(2)       To approve, as requested through the community consultation in November 2024, extending the delivery period by at least 1 year to redress time lost, providing a remaining delivery period of 8 years in total (2025-33)

(3)       To approve that the plan concentrates on delivering the top 5 themes over a 4-year period (2025-29).

(4)       Whilst recognising as an outcome of the community consultation, that “accountability” ranked lower in terms of priority, in line with recommendations made previously during 2024 to approve the creation of an Independent Advisory Steering Group (IASG) with Council representation to help inform officer-led Equity, Diversion and Inclusion work. The purpose of the IASG would be to inform and advise on delivery, attract funding opportunities, and provide assurance and transparency to the community. This would also demonstrate the Council’s commitment to co-design and co-produce activity informed by the community, including local experts and those with lived experience.