To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order 9. As an exception in the case of this item, the Mayor has agreed that Standing Order 9 (6) in relation to the limit on the number of words in the Motion will not apply.
Cllr D.E. Clifford will move and Cllr K. Dibble will second
“Rushmoor Borough Council place on record our deep sadness and revulsion at the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA.
Whilst we recognise that every life matters we echo the cries for justice and the assertion that ‘Black Lives Matter’ given the unique historic and contemporary challenges faced by black communities.
We stand together unreservedly with black members of our communities to work hard for current and future generations, in particular those citizens within our borough, to eradicate racism in all its forms and to proactively educate our citizens so that our towns are inclusive and anti-racist, not just in name and policies but in action. This starts with an all-party review led by the Policy and Project Advisory Board, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of our community, of processes, policies and organisational attitudes regarding racism.”
Minutes:
The Council was asked to consider a Motion which had been submitted by Cllr D.E. Clifford in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 9 (1). As an exception in the case of this item, the Mayor had agreed that Standing Order 9 (6) in relation to the limit on the number of words in the Motion would not not apply. The Motion stated that:
“Rushmoor Borough Council place on record our deep sadness and revulsion at the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA.
Whilst we recognise that every life matters we echo the cries for justice and the assertion that ‘Black Lives Matter’ given the unique historic and contemporary challenges faced by black communities.
We stand together unreservedly with black members of our communities to work hard for current and future generations, in particular those citizens within our borough, to eradicate racism in all its forms and to proactively educate our citizens so that our towns are inclusive and anti-racist, not just in name and policies but in action. This starts with an all-party review led by the Policy and Project Advisory Board, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of our community, of processes, policies and organisational attitudes regarding racism.”
Speaking on his Motion, Cllr Clifford thanked Rev Malcolm Cummins for the words and spirit of the motion, which was one of love and reconciliation and not hate and division. Cllr Clifford stated that the Motion was a genuine and humble attempt to listen, learn and deliver better for all. He felt that, however historic and profound the Motion was, the solutions to racism would not come from the government, law enforcement or council motions alone. It would come from every individual in the community humbly and quietly reflecting on their own views and attitudes.
During discussion, reference was made to the recent Black Lives Matter rally in the Borough, at which Rev Newton, the Mayor’s Chaplain, had spoken. The view was also expressed that the motion mentioned an all-party review of the Council’s processes, policies and organisational attitudes, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) members of the community. It was felt that this was welcome and had to include all councillors reaching out to these residents, listening and learning from their lived experience – not simply deferring to ‘community leaders’ who already held positions of influence and had a platform for their views. If Members were to “proactively educate our citizens” as the motion stated, it was felt that they must first educate themselves and those around them by reading, listening, openly discussing and deconstructing what were deeply ingrained thoughts, views and habits. It must be acknowledged that racism did not only exist in the hearts and minds of ‘bad people’; because if this did not happen, the defensive walls built around people would never be broken down sufficiently for genuine change to happen.
The view was also expressed that the huge challenges currently faced - the climate emergency, the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the certain economic crisis to come - brought with them the potential threat of rising conflict within society. It was also felt that facing these issues also brought an opportunity to come together, to address racism, to develop a green economic recovery and a fairer, more inclusive society.
In putting the motion into action, it was felt that the Council should focus on the Borough’s local context and the actual lived experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people who lived in the Borough. It was also mentioned that the issues raised by the Motion should be addressed in the development of the Council’s People Strategy by considering how the diversity of the workforce could be improved, reviewing the Council’s existing equalities policies and enhancing the training that Members and staff received. It was also felt that the Borough’s faith and community groups were already making an impact on breaking down barriers between communities in Rushmoor. The Council needed to help community groups build on this good work, with the Council as an enabling force to deliver a stronger, united, diverse and integrated community in Rushmoor.
During discussion, it was MOVED by Cllr T.W. Mitchell, SECONDED by Cllr Gaynor Austin, that the motion be amended by deleting the words “Whilst we recognise that every life matters” from the beginning of the second paragraph of the motion. Following a debate, the amendment was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 2; AGAINST: 26; ABSTAINED: 5 and the amendment was DECLARED LOST.
In further debate on the original Motion, personal, moving and inspiring testimonies were given by Black and Asian members of the Council who had experienced racism in educational establishments as well as the workplace.
Cllr K. Dibble, who had seconded the Motion, stated that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of the community had unique and historic challenges. For example, a black person was twice as likely to die in Police custody and nine times more likely to be stopped and searched. A person who was Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic, was also shown to be more likely to die from Covid-19. These statistics were not because of the colour of skin, but because of social inequalities of health, housing and employment. It was noted that only 1% of the UK’s top bosses were black. It was noted that, according to the Rowntree Trust, figures for child poverty were 11% white, 26% black and children from Bangladeshi families equated to 67% of the total number. Cllr Dibble stated that black lives needed to matter more than ever and be treated equally as white lives. He believed that Rushmoor had a proud record of diversity and multiculturalism through Aldershot being the home of the British Army, welcoming friends from across the Commonwealth and other allies and also the sudden growth in numbers of Nepalese people within the Borough. Cllr Dibble called on Members to support the Motion as the Council had a duty to scrutinise why the BAME communities in the Borough disproportionately suffered from poor health, housing and employment and that it was now time for action.
After further debate, the Motion was put to the Meeting. There voted FOR: 36; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED unanimously.