Joint Consultative Committee with Ethnic Minority Organisations

13 June 2023

MINUTES

Present: Councillor Edith Macauley (Chair), Councillor Eleanor Stringer,(Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride)  Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Councillor Slawek Szczepanski(online) , Councillor Hina Bokhari, Councillor Jenifer Gould(online),

Keith Burns (The Interim Assistant Director; Customers, Policy and Improvement) Alison Cramp (Teaching and Learning Advisor) Paul McGarry (Head of Future Merton) online, stella Akintan (Scrutiny Officer) Superintendent Luke Mooney (online) Jason Charles (online)

1.    Declarations of Interests

There were no declarations of interests.

2.    Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nick McLean.

3.    Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record.

4.    Update on Armed Forces Day, Windrush 75 and Mitcham Carnival

The Interim Assistant Director; Customers, Policy and Improvement gave an overview of the events planned for Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week. The flag will be raised reaffirming commitment to Armed Forces community. An updated version of armed forces covenant will be signed. The Council is Formally joining the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme promoting employment for ex-service people families and reservists.

Events will begin at the Greater London Assembly this will be followed by Merton planned activities. Representatives from armed forces community will join events.

 There will be an event at the Civic Centre hosted by Mayor formally recognising the contribution of the local community.

From September there will be a standing monthly group for Armed Forces Day events – marking key anniversaries and commitments through the armed forces covenant.

All councillors will be invited to a flag raising event. There will be limited capacity to attend signing in Mayors Parlor

Windrush 75

The Interim Assistant Director: Customers, Policy and Improvement said there will be a main event in council chamber on the life and contribution of the Windrush generation on their contribution in borough and across South London.

There will also be a series of events across the borough, including through libraries and heritage and exhibition. Children are involved in designing posters with artwork displayed at the civic centre.

The Teaching and Learning Advisor reported that there will also be a Windrush poster competition for primary and secondary schools with an event giving prizes to winners. This is similar events for the Kings coronation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride said there will be a wide range of events at Mitcham carnival including a Windrush parade by local school pupils.

5.    Role of new Borough Superintendent

Supt. Luke Mooney reported that he was pleased to hear what is going in Merton. His role is to work with communities and to build trust with the black and minority communities. They will adopt a local approach to neighbourhood policing as part of the turnaround plan and get involved in local community.

The police will be implementing the Race Action Plan and recommendations from the Casey Report and turnaround plan. The aim will be a neighbourhood approach and not over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.