The Race Equality Scheme

Speech by Cllr Zoé Patrick delivered to Cabinet on Tue 15th Jan 2008

The CPA was a wake up call that something needed to be done on this and indeed a lot of work has now been done and I recognise that. Thanks must go to Adrian and his team for this.

However, I would like to make 2 points

1. Bearing in mind the council has not had good GCSE results this year generally, it is even more evident that BME children have fallen behind and this is of some concern. Speaking to headteachers, it is recognised how important it is, particularly amongst certain groups of children that we must do more to raise their self-esteem, and we need to work on this. I would like some reassurance that this is being done.

2. Employment - again, we are getting better, but even more could be done and again I would welcome some reassurance that you are undertaking to improve this.