Agenda item

Findings and recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing the findings and recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce across six workstreams.

 

The Chair began by thanking the Taskforce and the Co-Chairs’ leadership on this important issue, which has been carried out at pace and in a considered and respectful way. The Chair urged Members to support and endorse the proposals in the paper.

 

The Co-Chairs spoke to introduce the item and thanked the Committee for their support in giving this issue the focus and attention it deserved. They also referenced the recent ministerial statement from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out their position of “retain and explain” in relation to contested heritage, yet argued that there was still a very particular consideration to remove, re-site and explain the statues of Beckford and Cass, and the approach of the Taskforce’s recommendation aligned with the Government’s position. As Beckford was attached to a Grade I listed building (the Great Hall), Members heard how the next step would be to apply for Listed Building Consent, which would require consultation with Historic England, a public consultation and a wider consultation with Members through the committee process. The Co-Chairs concluded it was important that these recommendations of change were not only endorsed by the Committee but “chiselled” into the Corporation’s policies and practices. 

 

During discussion of the report, the following points arose:

·         The Chief Commoner spoke out in opposition of the recommendation of removing the statues of Beckford, citing its homage to free speech and felt that it would be better to explain its context, in its current location. He also felt that the consultative exercise results were not followed in this recommendation. He indicated he would like to put forward an amendment to approve all the recommendations in the report except that recommendation on the statue.

·         Members commented on how quickly this report had been turned around and how much consideration had gone into this. It would be important to track these recommendations too, and one Member suggested an annual or quarterly report back to Policy & Resources Committee, which could be drafted by officers. A Member suggested that the City Corporation should not take a self-selected survey (i.e. the consultative exercise) as a democratic vote.

·         It was felt important that all the other recommendations were not overshadowed by the discussion on statues, which were warmly supported by the Committee.

·         One Member felt that there should be a clear commitment to the timeframe of the recommendations, which should be brought forward earlier than 24 months.

·         The City Corporation’s nominations process should be considered to ensure that our governance become more diverse.

·         These recommendations need to be woven into our policies and used to tackle modern-day slavery and racism. The City Corporation need to stand out to speak out against all forms of racism.

·         It was acknowledged that the Livery Committee were looking to improve diversity through signing of the Diversity Charter, although there was some difficulty for them to collect data on their existing memberships.

·         It was important to look at diversifying attendance at events.

·         It was suggested that a number of people outside of London would have responded to the consultative exercise and there was an organised group which promoted this consultative exercise amongst its followers.

·         A Member felt that the Beckford statue could not be contextualised properly within the Guildhall due to lack of space. The true history of Beckford and the slave trade was evil and a small sign to contextualise this would be inappropriate. It was suggested that the Museum of London may be a more appropriate location for re-siting the statue.

·         A Member commented that we should not underestimate our emotional response to slavery as a legitimate consideration in making the decision of removing the Beckford statue. Members heard how two years before Beckford became Lord Mayor, there was a major rebellion on the plantation in Jamaica that he was responsible for; as a result, 400 slaves were rounded up and executed. It was argued that it was perfectly legitimate to have an emotional response to hearing this story. The City Corporation should get to the heart of the ongoing injustice that slavery created.

·         Two Members felt that they were not in a position to vote either way on the statues recommendation until they understood further all the information and options explored by the proposed Working Group. It was noted that some people saw the statue as a “celebration of free speech”, whereas other people saw the statue as a “celebration of oppression”.

 

The Co-Chairs of the Tackling Racism Taskforce responded to the discussion and summarised the arguments to remove and re-site (and contextualise) the two statues, and the importance of the symbolism of taking this action.

 

The Chief Commoner then proposed the following amendment that:-

 

“The full list of recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce be wholeheartedly approved, except for the recommendations concerning removing, re-siting and contextualising the Beckford and Cass statues, which be deferred until a wider consultation is carried out with the Court of Common Council, members of the public and other relevant stakeholders.”

 

This amendment was seconded by Mark Wheatley.

 

Members then proceeded to vote on the amendment by the raising of hands. The amendment was defeated by 27 to 5 votes (with two abstentions from Marianne Fredericks and Alderman Tim Hailes).

 

Members then proceed to vote on the substantive recommendations, which were approved by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

Approved the full list of recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce outlined in Appendix 1 and agreed for work to be carried out to implement these recommendations, subject to any further reports to relevant committees

 

Supporting documents: