CRE ASKS BRENT COUNCIL TO ACT ON RACIAL INEQUALITIES
(5 June 2003)

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is encouraging Great London-based Brent Council - serving the second most diverse population in Britain, in an ethnic majority constituency- to review its race equality scheme, following a damning internal report on equalities and diversity which the Council itself comissioned.

The CRE confirmed its move in a letter to local Liberal Democrats in response to a complaint they made in February after uncovering the shocking report, by diversity experts TMP, that details Brent's extensive failure to promote equality or to meet CRE guidelines. The Liberal Democrats claim the Labour Council suppressed the report to stop its findings coming to light.

After months of pressure from the Liberal Democrats and talks with the CRE, Brent's Labour leaders have agreed they will implement TMP's findings. The CRE is now seeking a meeting with Leader Ann John to discuss the issues raised. At the time writing, a CRE spokesperson confirmed that a date for this meeting had not been set.

Councillor Chunilal Chavda, Chair of Brent's Liberal Democrat Opposition Group, said, " I'm glad the Labour Cabinet have finally accepted what we all knew - that Brent has been failing on equalities, and must radically change its approach." In March 2003, Cllr Chavda publicised figures from the report showing the proportion of Black and Asian staff in the top 5% of earners in the Council had fallen dramatically. Representation fell from 20% to just 16% in six months - a fall of one-fifth, suggesting senior Black and Asian Officers were leaving Brent, being made redundant or not getting promoted.

"Brent Council must publish the report, explain how they will address the failures TMP found and on what timescale, and say how they will fund the changes needed." Cllr Chavda added. "The Council was still denying the need for comprehensive action when they set the Budget in March 2003."

The report is yet another controversial issue for Brent's Local Councillors. Recent policy decisions affecting the Council's ethnic majority community include unilaterally banning parking for worshippers attending the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, a refusal to give new community organisations start-up Grants, and a decision to go for frozen 'Meals on Wheels' that has significantly reduced the quality and amount of food served to Asian elders.

Click here for Extracts from the TMP report.