17.02.2022 

Creating a city-wide employee equality network, looking at opportunities to develop more representative Member Panels and increasing diversity in school governing bodies have all been discussed as part of plans to help address racial inequality in Cardiff.

The Race Equality Taskforce has revealed their latest plans including:

Employment and representative workforce:

• Cardiff Council is proud to have paid the Living Wage to all its employees since September 2012 and being an accredited Living Wage Employer since November 2015. Cardiff Council willsign the Community Jobs Compact and look at options to create a city-wide employers ‘Cardiff Equality Network' working withpartners atCardiff Commitment, CAVC and Into Work.

Education and young people

• Introduce a Future Governors Parents Forum Pilot which will be an opportunity for schools to build relationships with parents but also for parents to learn about governing processes and step into governor roles when they come available.

Citizen's Voice

• Where possible, develop representative Member Panels that ensures Cardiff citizens can play an active role by giving their views ona number of consultation topics for the city.

These are the third and final round of proposals which were agreed by the Taskforce in December 2021 and will be sent to Cabinet as part of an annual report in March.

Chair of the Race Equality Taskforce, Cllr Saeed Ebrahim, said: "Thanks to the hard work of the Taskforce and our partners we remain committed to enhancing equality. Our latest proposalslook at some key areas for the city.

"If we are to move the dial on racial equality, then people need to have the same chances and opportunities in life, and education and work will be two key areas where we can help make a difference to people."

Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Huw Thomas, said: "The end of this month marks 19 months since the Race Equality Taskforce was first established and we've created a platform that's helping to make real change to help address racial inequality.

"The Race Equality Taskforce has made a number of important achievements since its inception in July 2020 including Mount Stuart Primary School becoming the first school in Wales to pilot Anti-Racism Trainingcreated by Rachel Clarke, Deputy Headteacher and granddaughter ofWales' first black headteacher and champion of equality and diversity,Betty Campbell;recommendations have been approved forgoverning bodies to implement a specific ‘Equality & Diversity Governor' for every school with guidance and training opportunities; andsupporting the installation of Betty Campbell's city centre monument in partnership with Cardiff Stories and Monumental Welsh Women.

"What the Race Equality Taskforce is doing is shining a light on matters that affect us all and require collective action.  We're going beyond our statements and making real change, but there is still much we have to do." 

The Taskforce annual report will be published in March 2022.

Related stories:

• Mount Stuart Primary School becoming the first school in Wales to pilot Anti-Racism Training
• Monument to Wales‘ first black headteacher, Betty Campbell, unveiled in Cardiff city centre (cardiffnewsroom.co.uk)