Agenda item

To consider a motion on notice proposed by Councillor Mione Goldspink and seconded by Councillor Chris Wilson.

Councillor Goldspink proposed a motion on notice on anti-racism.  She spoke to the motion she had submitted, referring to the experience of many people who suffered institutional racism and setting out the importance of addressing unconscious bias. Her motion sought a commitment on the part of the Council to do all in its power to identify and end any instances of racism or prejudicial practices within its own organisation, and to appoint an external professional to assess the Council’s activities in this regard, who would list actions to ensure diversity and equality pledges were fulfilled. 

Councillor Wilson seconded the motion.

Councillor Bolton said that, as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee, she wished to emphasise that the Council had a statutory duty to comply with the Equalities legislation, and the Council published an annual report on how it had done so.  The Council was opposed to racism in all its forms. 

Councillor Williamson said that from a financial perspective, Members were deeply aware of unbudgeted costs and of putting additional pressure on services. 

Councillor Drake said she had submitted a motion on notice in similar terms without having initially been aware of Councillor Goldspink’s motion.  She therefore proposed amendments to the motion.  The amendments were: 

in the first paragraph, to add the wording “in the USA” and delete “America”;

in the second paragraph, to delete the word “institutional” before “racism” and add “ and discrimination” after the word “racism;

also in the second paragraph, to add the wording “that may exist” before the words “within its own organisation”;

to delete the final paragraph starting “To ensure full transparency”, and add two further paragraphs as follows:  “East Herts Council stands united against all forms of inequality.  As community leaders we must challenge injustices wherever and however they arise.  We support the freedom of all individuals and all communities to speak out and share their experiences and frustrations and work alongside them and society as a whole to reduce overt prejudice and unconscious bias.

“As it is our responsibility to be part of the conversation, we will work with internal structures, external groups and organisations to ensure an anti-racist culture is embedded in all that the council says and does as an employer and a provider of public services so we can better educate, understand and bring about positive change to achieve a more equal and fair society.”

Councillor Crystall seconded the amendment.  He said the issues of inequality and racism had already started to slip down the news agenda, and it was important to keep them in mind.  The wording of a motion was no substitute for action. 

Councillor Corpe said he was pleased that the Council was considering a motion to condemn systematic racism.  Whilst he welcomed the proposed amendments, it was a pity to remove the provision for an external professional to assess the Council’s procedures.  The Council employed auditors such as EY and it should not mark its own homework. 

Regarding the monitoring of inequality, Councillor Corpe said the report referred to by Councillor Bolton included a table, at figure 8, which indicated some systemic bias. 

Regarding the point which Councillor Williamson had raised, Councillor Corpe said it was laughable that cost was a prohibitive factor against employing a consultant for the purpose of ensuring the Council’s own organisation was free from racist practices. The cost would likely be in the range of £10K to £15K, which seemed reasonable compared to the cost payable to the external auditor, EY, which was approximately £40K each year.   Further, it had been agreed this evening that officers could spend £2.5m without consulting Council.  Finally, a number of other authorities, such as Havering and Dudley councils had commenced reviews of this nature.  He concluded by saying that actions spoke louder than words.

Councillor Dumont questioned whether Councillor Williamson had been aware of the likely level of cost, given that scoping he had undertaken had shown the possible cost of employing a consultant to review the Council’s organisation would amount to £10K - £15K.  It was known that a diverse workforce increased productivity, so undertaking this exercise to ensure diversity would potentially result in a return on that investment. 

Councillor Goldspink said she was against the amendment, which undermined the actions in the motion, and left only gentle words.  The changed motion would do nothing to combat problems. The Administration had in previous debates said actions spoke louder than words.  This Council had to show it was serious about anti-racism, but it was still looking at its organisation from a very white perspective, with little understanding of what it was like from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic group (BAME) perspective. 

Councillor Wilson said this debate echoed previous debates, such as when his Group had pointed out that funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau would mean a return in investment.  There was unity in that all here were opposed to discrimination, and the comments made tonight were intended not to criticise but to improve.  It was always possible to do better. 

Councillor Redfern said she supported the comments of Councillors Goldspink and Wilson.  The whole point of bias was that it was unconscious, so a third party assessment was necessary.  She did not agree with the amendment, as it removed the teeth of the motion. 

Councillor Beckett said he was proud to represent East Herts Council, but he would like to feel he could look residents in the eye and say he was sure there was no bias.  The Council could only do so if it did not mark its own homework. 

The amendment being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, it was declared CARRIED, and became the substantive motion, as follows. 

“This Council notes with serious concern and distress the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in the USA, and the subsequent world-wide protests and demonstrations against systemic racism. 

“This Council acknowledges that many members of our community continue to suffer the effects of racism and discrimination even today.  This Council therefore resolves to do all in its powers to identify and end any instances of racism or prejudicial practices that may exist within its own organisation.

“East Herts Council stands united against all forms of inequality. As community leaders we must challenge injustices wherever and however they arise. We support the freedom of all individuals and all communities to speak out and share their experiences and frustrations and work alongside them and society as a whole to reduce overt prejudice and unconscious bias.

“As it is our responsibility to be part of the conversation, we will work with internal structures, external groups and organisations to ensure an anti-racist culture is embedded in all that the council says and does as an employer and a provider of public services so we can better educate, understand and bring about positive change to achieve a more equal and fair society.”

The substantive motion being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, it was declared CARRIED. 

RESOLVED – that this Council notes with serious concern and distress the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in the USA, and the subsequent world-wide protests and demonstrations against systemic racism. 

This Council acknowledges that many members of our community continue to suffer the effects of racism and discrimination even today. This Council therefore resolves to do all in its powers to identify and end any instances of racism or prejudicial practices that may exist within its own organisation.

East Herts Council stands united against all forms of inequality. As community leaders we must challenge injustices wherever and however they arise.  We support the freedom of all individuals and all communities to speak out and share their experiences and frustrations and work alongside them and society as a whole to reduce overt prejudice and unconscious bias.

As it is our responsibility to be part of the conversation, we will work with internal structures, external groups and organisations to ensure an anti-racist culture is embedded in all that the council says and does as an employer and a provider of public services so we can better educate, understand and bring about positive change to achieve a more equal and fair society.