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Agenda item

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 543b) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Connett and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely 

 

This notice of motion acknowledges the current situation facing underrepresented groups in Devon and seeks to support the work that is taking place UK wide to tackle racism and discrimination. Statistical data shows that individuals from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are underrepresented at every level in UK society, facing issues around social and economic mobility, and educational attainment, particularly affected by implicit racial bias and institutional racism.

 

Council recognises the contributions of individuals from BAME communities in society, business, and infrastructure across Devon both now and historically, and will not shy away from work which seeks to remove barriers, tackle prejudice and address inequality. 

 

In doing so the council calls for:

·       The review of Devon County Council's HR and Equalities practices and the inclusion of regular training for councillors and staff, to ensure the needs of under-represented groups are met through addressing poverty and encouraging economic and social mobility.

·       Work with Schools, Academies, Trusts and educationalists in Devon to explore the prospect of making changes the curriculum to include BAME experiences, contributions, and the FACTs of History, throughout the year.

·       Explore the possibility of an education transformation project in conjunction with schools that creates a suite of curriculum resources specific to Devon's history.

·       Lobby Government to invest and resource changes to the curriculum across the UK through the support of organisations such as The Black Curriculum and via associated campaigns.

·       An advisory board put in place linked to the Equality Impact Assessment for the Covid-19 recovery plan, to connect the experiences of BAME individuals within the community with the aim of driving forward positive change.

·       Encourage County-based organisations to contribute to diversity and social mobility through reviewing the Councillor Locality Grant criteria to ensure it can include (but not exclusively); projects that contribute to addressing inequalities and raising educational attainment within under-represented groups.

 

Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (CSO/20/14) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:

 

That Council be recommended to:

(a) Support current and planned activities which help to:

(i) Enable everyone in Devon to participate in, and contribute, to its society, economy, and communities;

(ii) Remove barriers; and

(iii)Tackle prejudice and inequalities.

(b) Request a peer challenge, based on the LGA “Local Government Equality Framework’.

(c) Encourage all mechanisms that would increase of the diversity of Councillors.

(d) Support all Members to continue to actively engage with BAME people and organisations;

(e) Provides advice and support to schools on how they can support students understanding of BAME experiences, their history and contributions; and

(f) Notes that Members’ Locality Budget Fund can be used to support the diverse needs of all local communities.

Minutes:

Pursuant to County Council Minute 297 of 23 July 2020 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Connett that;

                       

This notice of motion acknowledges the current situation facing underrepresented groups in Devon and seeks to support the work that is taking place UK wide to tackle racism and discrimination. Statistical data shows that individuals from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are underrepresented at every level in UK society, facing issues around social and economic mobility, and educational attainment, particularly affected by implicit racial bias and institutional racism.

 

Council recognises the contributions of individuals from BAME communities in society, business, and infrastructure across Devon both now and historically, and will not shy away from work which seeks to remove barriers, tackle prejudice and address inequality. 

 

In doing so the council calls for:

 

·         The review of Devon County Council's HR and Equalities practices and the inclusion of regular training for councillors and staff, to ensure the needs of under-represented groups are met through addressing poverty and encouraging economic and social mobility.

·         Work with Schools, Academies, Trusts and educationalists in Devon to explore the prospect of making changes the curriculum to include BAME experiences, contributions, and the FACTs of History, throughout the year.

·         Explore the possibility of an education transformation project in conjunction with schools that creates a suite of curriculum resources specific to Devon's history.

·         Lobby Government to invest and resource changes to the curriculum across the UK through the support of organisations such as The Black Curriculum and via associated campaigns.

·         An advisory board put in place linked to the Equality Impact Assessment for the Covid-19 recovery plan, to connect the experiences of BAME individuals within the community with the aim of driving forward positive change.

·         Encourage County-based organisations to contribute to diversity and social mobility through reviewing the Councillor Locality Grant criteria to ensure it can include (but not exclusively); projects that contribute to addressing inequalities and raising educational attainment within under-represented groups.

 

and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 543(b) of 9 September 2020:

 

Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that spirit of the Notice of Motion be endorsed and the course of action as outlined below be taken.

 

That Council:

 

(a)  Support current and planned activities which help to:

 

(i) Enable everyone in Devon to participate in, and contribute, to its society, economy, and communities;

(ii) Remove barriers; and

(iii)Tackle prejudice and inequalities.

 

(b) Request a peer challenge, based on the LGA “Local Government Equality Framework’.

 

(c) Encourage all mechanisms that would increase of the diversity of Councillors.

 

(d) Support all Members to continue to actively engage with BAME people and organisations;

 

(e) Provides advice and support to schools on how they can support students understanding of BAME experiences, their history and contributions; and

 

(f) Notes that Members’ Locality Budget Fund can be used to support the diverse needs of all local communities.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

The Leader then MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that (d) be amended with the following words (in red);

 

(d) Support all members to continue to actively engage with all residents of Devon including BAME people and organisations.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

(In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillor Dewhirst asked that his vote against the amendment be recorded)

 

The Motion in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

 

(In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillor Dewhirst asked that his vote against the motion be recorded)


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