Agenda item

10.1

This report sets out Sheffield City Council’s initial response to the key findings of the Independent Sheffield Race Equality Commission Report, which was launched in July 2022.

Through its evidence gathering and hearings, the Sheffield Race Equality Commission has painted a detailed picture of racism and racial inequality in Sheffield, laying down a challenge that city leaders, anchor institutions and communities must respond to. Prejudice and inequality on this scale impacts on the whole city, stopping people from achieving their potential.

This paper sets out the initial steps that we will take at SCC to implement immediate and longer-term actions to bring about powerful change.

This is an initial response to the REC and a further, detailed paper and action plan will be presented to Strategy and Resources Policy Committee on 12th October 2022

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1. Welcome the publication of the Sheffield Race Equality Commission Report;

2. Recognise the commitment, dedication and time that REC Commissioners have given to the city, including SCC Members and officers who served as Commissioners. Working alongside Prof. Kevin Hylton, the REC has produced a comprehensive report that details the change we need to see in Sheffield to become and antiracist city and requests that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent to the Commissioners from the Chair of this Committee;

3. Agree the initial Sheffield City Council response, recognising that we need to produce a detailed, action-focused response that is fully owned by Members and officers in the organisation; and

4. Agree to receive the detailed Action Plan in response to the Commission’s report for agreement at the October 2022 meeting of the Committee.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Carrying out the recommendations helps enable the Council to meet the needs of its ethnically diverse residents, visitors and employees as well as its employees. This work feeds into the S149 Public Sector Equality Duty requirements on the Council across 9 protected characteristics, of which race is one.

10.3.2

However, the Commission’s recommendations recognise intersectionality in its actions and it recommendations will also help to address wider inequalities. However, we will need to continue to ensure that no one of the other characteristics protected by S149 of the Equality Act 2010 are overlooked.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

There is a possibility that other protected characteristics with similar intrenched

inequalities will not receive the same level of commitment and resource as a result of the specific time and focus on race. An alternative option is to embed the recommendations into the work the Council undertakes across equality and engagement more broadly and to address those areas specific to race only separately but combine the other actions, such as workforce diversity.

10.4.2

As the Commission’s recommendations are actions to address the very entrenched inequalities around race, to not follow through on the recommendations will pose a reputational risk.

10.1

The Director of Policy, Performance and Communications submitted a report setting out Sheffield City Council’s initial response to the key findings of the Independent Sheffield Race Equality Commission Report, which was launched in July 2022.

Through its evidence gathering and hearings, the Sheffield Race Equality Commission has painted a detailed picture of racism and racial inequality in Sheffield, laying down a challenge that city leaders, anchor institutions and communities must respond to. Prejudice and inequality on this scale impacts on the whole city, stopping people from achieving their potential.

This paper sets out the initial steps that we will take at SCC to implement immediate and longer-term actions to bring about powerful change.

This is an initial response to the REC and a further, detailed paper and action plan will be presented to Strategy and Resources Policy Committee on 12th October 2022

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1. Welcome the publication of the Sheffield Race Equality Commission Report;

2. Recognise the commitment, dedication and time that REC Commissioners have given to the city, including SCC Members and officers who served as Commissioners. Working alongside Prof. Kevin Hylton, the REC has produced a comprehensive report that details the change we need to see in Sheffield to become and antiracist city and requests that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent to the Commissioners from the Chair of this Committee;

3. Agree the initial Sheffield City Council response, recognising that we need to produce a detailed, action-focused response that is fully owned by Members and officers in the organisation; and

4. Agree to receive the detailed Action Plan in response to the Commission’s report for agreement at the October 2022 meeting of the Committee.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Carrying out the recommendations helps enable the Council to meet the needs of its ethnically diverse residents, visitors and employees as well as its employees. This work feeds into the S149 Public Sector Equality Duty requirements on the Council across 9 protected characteristics, of which race is one.

10.3.2

However, the Commission’s recommendations recognise intersectionality in its actions and it recommendations will also help to address wider inequalities. However, we will need to continue to ensure that no one of the other characteristics protected by S149 of the Equality Act 2010 are overlooked.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

There is a possibility that other protected characteristics with similar intrenched

inequalities will not receive the same level of commitment and resource as a result of the specific time and focus on race. An alternative option is to embed the recommendations into the work the Council undertakes across equality and engagement more broadly and to address those areas specific to race only separately but combine the other actions, such as workforce diversity.

10.4.2

As the Commission’s recommendations are actions to address the very entrenched inequalities around race, to not follow through on the recommendations will pose a reputational risk.