Sheffield City Council has set out the progress that is being made to accelerate action on race equality in the city.
Following the publication of the Race Equality Commission (REC) in July 2022, the Council has committed to implement its recommendations and become an anti-racist organisation.
A report presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee on Thursday 21st December reflects on the progress that has already been made and sets out the next steps to continue on this journey.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Racism has no place in Sheffield. The Council has made a commitment to become an anti-racist organisation and to support Sheffield to become an anti-racist city.
"This report sets out the detailed progress we have made so far, with clear objectives, clear actions and clear deadlines. This work is ongoing and there is lots more to do. The steps we are taking today will help to accelerate change.
“We are committed to eradicating all forms of racism in Sheffield. Working with residents, community groups, and partner organisations, our job is to bring our diverse communities together and create an inclusive city for all, free from discrimination, where everyone can thrive.”
In August 2023, it was agreed that the Council needed to go further and faster to make meaningful progress on race equality.
Since then, they have worked with services across the organisation to better understand progress to date and what is needed to support further action.
As a result, major, positive steps have been made, including the development of a new council framework for equality, diversity and inclusion, which was also agreed at the meeting.
More than 30 actions for the future were also put forward and agreed on at the committee meeting.
As part of this work Sheffield has committed to create a legacy body – the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield.
The Council has agreed to contribute £100,000 in funding for this over the next four years. The Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield will be launched early in the new year.
Read the full Race Equality in Our Council report here.
More on the Race Equality Commission here.
Read the full report on the new Equality Framework here.
