Dagmar Zeuner gave a Covid update and outlined the next steps. The community in East Merton is more vulnerable. Compared to other boroughs, Merton had lower cases, but the numbers are now rising.

Vaccinations is the biggest tool for tackling Covid and data shows that ethnic minorities are lagging behind. However, the vaccination rates of ethnic minorities is now increasing. The community programmes have helped to increase the take up of the first vaccination.

It has to be acknowledged that Covid has highlighted structural inequality in society and it particular housing and job security is needed.

There is a commitment from the council and partners to use the report’s findings to shape the short, medium and long term priorities.

Dagmar commented that ‘don’t think of us as a problem’ was a good point made in the report.

Short term priorities included:

·         Merton Covid Local Outbreak Management Plan (LOMP) –Reducing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and inequalities.

·         Community engagement and clear communication, to increase adherence to control measures and uptake of vaccinations. The council has confirmed funding for Phase 2 of the BAME Voice led resilience programme - £165k funding for an expanded programme of strategic support and co-delivery of immediate actions. Actions already underway: Community Hub; Merton Giving; Community Champions; 'On-street' engagement; Funds and support for LBM Race Equality Network; Cultural and heritage programmes / activities e.g. Windrush Day; ‘Bundling’ testing and vaccinations.

·         Merton Health and Wellbeing Board -Priority for a fair and green recovery. Committed to working with our communities, to build resilience. The East Merton model of health and wellbeing led by the NHS - developed with the community. There is focus on prevention - local skills development as part of an integrated wellbeing service.

John Dimmer outlined medium to long term actions – the focus will be reducing inequalities supported by measures such as:

·         The refresh of the Equality Strategy - community insight will be part of the evidence base for developing specific actions

·         Your Merton Ambition – community engagement and development of a community led vision and priorities.

·         Transforming How We Work With Communities – co-produced with the Voluntary and Community Sector to strengthen community resilience through an asset based approach.  Pooled funding - 16 community organisation are being funded to help with transforming how we work with communities.

Dr Sekeram works in East Merton and commented that the report will be helpful to target areas for the Primary Care networks.

Comments/questions

C: Eastern Europeans are not in the BAME community figures, this community has been affected too and must not be forgotten.

C: The methodology is impressive especially as young people were involved. It is important that the recommendations will be part of the equality strategy.

C: It is a good report that hopefully will result in things being done properly and won’t be a tick box exercise.  Things need to be done properly.  The 16 groups that have been funded need to continue to be supported and not just in the short term.

Q: What percentage of people in the community have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)? Some of the people receiving food parcels have NRPF.

A: The precise figures are not known, the Tamil community has been particularly affected.  Food banks and clothes banks provided a live line for many.

Q: The report is to be celebrated for its robustness and in depth capture of residents’ views. It is an approach to acknowledging racism. How will the borough deal with the issue going forward? How will the issues raised in the report and the recommendations be addressed? The community now needs to see actions that balance out the issues highlighted.

A: The community led approach to conducting the research worked well. The council is now looking to build on this insight and is engaging with the communities through the Transforming How We Work Together project to inform a funding model that delivers long term sustainable funding.

Q: The report is to be commended. The community has led by supporting Hannah, but power doesn’t lie with the community. Who is going to be bold and drive the report? It can’t just be glossed over. Black authentic history should be taught in schools, young people need to be taught their history. How do we ensure there is a change in the curriculum?

A: The council recognises that the recommendations require tangible responses.

Q: How do we ensure that the Eastern European community are part of the community led approach?

A: Post Covid the council will be looking to work with the East European community e.g. through funding from the Local Outbreak Management PLAN (LOMP).

Chris Lee addressed the meeting – it is his first time at the JCC, he outlined how Merton intended to take things forward.  The Business Plan and Service Plans will address the issues raised. There are numerous engagement pieces such as this report and the Mencap report that have highlighted issues of inequality in the borough. They are not new issues and will require funding.  The report will be understood by all department and the actions will be woven into strategies to get deep seated change.