Agenda item

Local Government Association (LGA), Independent Race, Equality, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion, (READI), Commissioned Review May 2021: Approval of Action Plan.

Decision:

The action plan sets out a high level “what needs to be done”, and the timescales to achieve this.

Cabinet:

· Agreed the high level action plan in Appendix B

· Agreed the LGA’s READI report is published in its entirety

· Will review progress against the action plan on a six monthly basis

· Agreed this report goes to Full Council for their endorsement

· Urged all Members to support the READI Programme

· Will request the Overview and Scrutiny Board to consider progress against the action plan on a six month basis in line with the Scrutiny function

· Agreed this review and subsequent programme, informs the borough-“Phase two”, Borough wide READI review planning.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on the Local Government Association (LGA), Independent Race, Equality, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion, (READI), Commissioned Review May 2021: Approval of Action Plan.

It was explained that in June 2021, the Leader of the Council committed to commissioning a proactive improvement independent review of race relations initially within the Council. Whilst this retained a significant focus on Race, it was broadened out to ensure other protected groups were included to ensure that Havering was a dynamic place that recognised its demographics are changing fast.

It was to be noted that some external press articles said this was an Investigation; it was not, nor was the review requested by any other organisations. The independent review was part of the Council’s decision to hold a “mirror up”, and get an honest snap-shot of the Council’s internal policies and procedures, to safe-guard against complacency in its public sector equalities duties (PSED). This review was bravely undertaken during a global pandemic, and heightened awareness and sensitives raised by the heinous murder of George Floyd, which directly influenced the commitment to this review. Few other Councils would have chosen to do this at such a period in our history. Havering felt that due to the events it was the right time to review this.

The report focused on the Council’s action plan, developed in response to the Council commissioning the Local Government Association (LGA) to undertake the Independent Race, Equality, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (READI) Review and addresses the LGA’s fifteen priority improvement recommendations.

The Council had a ten point plan to ensure it maximised the “warts and all” candour afforded through a “tell-us how it really is for you, and what needed to change” ethos. A 400 page internal self-assessment was prepared for use by the LGA, to support its focus and enable robust exploration in confidential sessions with staff, Members and the public and key partners through the Community Cohesion and Engagement Forum.

It was proposed that the action plan in Appendix B was approved by the Cabinet and monitored on a six monthly basis to ensure the recommended improvements were implemented and any appropriate action taken to keep this on track, together with other information that can help show the impact on the ground.

Given the importance of this review and why it was undertaken, Cabinet had reiterated the Council’s stance and promise to be resolute in its zero tolerance of racism and discrimination of any kind. Given some of the misrepresentation in the press, it is an important cornerstone to reiterate and strengthen building trust and the dialogue that must be in place if things are to change. Without this the Council can’t grow the culture where people feel able to report, receive support, deal with and discuss the issues, however uncomfortable going forward.

Furthermore, as the improvements were strategic and cross-cutting in nature, and underpinned the Council’s ambition to be an Inclusive employer of choice and achieve the ‘Excellence’ standard in the Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG), a role for Overview and Scrutiny was proposed, this was in accordance with the statutory role of the Overview and Scrutiny function as set out in the Council’s Constitution. This request was one for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board, who selected their own areas for scrutiny.