Agenda item

To receive an update on progress in implementing the Calls to Action of the Gloucester City Commission to Review Race Relations.

94.1    The Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Cook, advised Members that the briefing document provided a one-year update following the report of the Gloucester City Commission to Review Race Relations and their resulting ‘calls to action.’ In relation to the call to action to establish an independent legacy institution for Gloucestershire, Councillor Cook advised Members that the Gloucestershire Race Equality Action Group (GREAG) had been established. He noted that the City Council had held several meetings with GREAG and were building a relationship with the organisation to help progress its work collaboratively. He further confirmed that the council had agreed to second an Officer to the Black South West Network to support the work of GREAG.

94.2    Councillor Cook referred to the call to action to set out a Gloucestershire wide vision for workforce equality in the public sector and the delivery of a ‘stepping up programme’. He confirmed that engagement had started on the steps which could be taken to formalise workforce equality initiatives, however he noted that there were limitations in the role the City Council could play beyond its own remit.

94.3    In respect of the call to action to put measures in place to ensure the collection and use of high-quality ethnicity data in planning and delivering public services, Councillor Cook confirmed that strong progress had been made through equalities actions which had been embedded in the Council Plan and service plans. He noted that this had been further emphasised by equalities being a key overarching theme in the Council Plan. Councillor Cook highlighted the call to action to acknowledge the existence of racism, prejudice and micro-aggressions in Gloucester and confirmed that the City Council did acknowledge this.

94.3    The Chair queried whether all Gloucestershire District Councils would be assisting with funding the independent legacy institution. The Policy and Development Officer explained that the initial £100K funding to establish the organisation had been provided by the County Council and NHS, and that conversations regarding further funding with District Councils were ongoing.

94.4   The Chair asked whether the Terms of Reference could be made available to the Committee. The Policy and Development Officer explained that GREAG were taking some time to adapt and establish themselves and at the time of sharing, it was their view that the Terms of Reference produced by the City Council were too formal to be able to adopt at that stage in GREAG’s development.

94.5   In response to a further question from the Chair regarding staff appointments, the Policy and Development Officer confirmed that appointments were decided by GREAG with the City Council having assisted with the advertisement of two posts. He further stated that the former Chair of the Gloucester City Commission to Review Race Relations was involved in the group and that support was also being provided by Gloucestershire County Council and the Black South West Network.

94.6    In response to a query from Councillor Wilson as to whether the set of proposed goals had been agreed, the Policy and Development officer confirmed that GREAG intended to use the Race Relations Commission’s report as a basis, but the organisation wanted to establish itself in a way that suited them.

94.7    Councillor Wilson noted that he was pleased to see that progress had been made as there had previously been some uncertainty as to who would be responsible for taking the Calls to Action Forward. He asked whether the meeting held on 18^th March 2022 was the first meeting, to which the Policy and Development Officer confirmed that it had been one of the first.

94.8    In response to an additional query as to whether any progress had been made since, the Policy and Development Officer noted that building relationships was likely to take some time. The Head of Culture further added that progress was taking longer than hoped, however GREAG was being supported by the Black South West Network as well as the City Council.

94.9    Councillor Wilson requested further information regarding the Officer support for GREAG. The Head of Culture explained that the City Council had agreed to second an officer to support the work of GREAG and this was a full-time role which would be funded by the Black South West Network.

94.10  In response to a query from the Chair regarding the term ‘reverse mentoring’, the Policy and Development Officer explained that this was an initiative where staff members from racially minoritized backgrounds would work alongside senior members of staff so that senior staff could learn from their experiences.

94.11  The Chair referred to the ‘Tea Break’ initiative and asked whether this was compulsory for City Council Staff. The Policy and Development Officer confirmed that Tea Breaks were not mandatory but took place during a period where all staff could attend if they so wished.

94.12  In response to a query from Councillor Gravells as to the attendance rate at Tea Break sessions, it was explained that these sessions were coordinated by the Community Wellbeing Team.

94.13  Councillor Gravells asked whether staff working in partner organisations, such as Ubico, were also invited to attend these sessions. The Head of Culture noted that Tea Breaks were not formal training but instead a deliberately informal peer-to-peer network. He noted that Tea Breaks took place virtually and were recorded so staff had the opportunity to view the discussion afterwards if they were unable to make the session.

94.14  A discussion ensued about whether an invite should be extended to partner organisations to attend these sessions. Councillor Cook noted that organisations such as Ubico were likely to have their own training initiatives.

          RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE the update.