EQUALITY
Report on inequality
A report on inequality in the borough was due to be presented to the council as the magazine went to print .
Ealing ’ s Race Equality Commission was set up as an independent group by Ealing Council at the end of 2020 to consider the nature of race inequality in the borough , not least the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement , and the health inequalities that have been exposed during the coronavirus pandemic .
Lord Simon Woolley was appointed to the commission first , as its chairperson . He was one of the founders of campaigning organisation Operation Black Vote . Another 11 commissioners were then recruited in early 2021 . They were selected on the basis of their experience and skills , all
live in the borough and the make-up of the commission reflects the area ’ s diverse population .
The commission has examined evidence relating to housing , health , crime and policing , education , and income and employment . Its findings and recommendations were due to be reported to the council at the end of November . You will be able to read about its findings in due course at aroundealing . com and in the next edition of Around Ealing magazine .
At the beginning , Lord Woolley said he wanted the independent commission to look at ways to ‘ Tear down the barriers to race equality and unleash talent within the borough .’
Numerous online meetings have been held , and the commission also ran an online survey for residents , spoke to individuals , businesses and community groups by phone and in person , and collected evidence on people ’ s experience of inequality and the impact on them and on their family and friends .
The commissioners have visited a variety of voluntary groups in the borough that work with people who most need support . They have observed police training and also held discussion sessions with young people . This included spending half a day with 15 young people who regularly attend the Bollo Brook Youth Centre in Acton and heard first-hand why the centre is important to them , the challenges they face and how COVID-19 has impacted their lives .
Councillor Aysha Raza , the council ’ s cabinet member for tackling inequality , said : “ I really look forward to seeing the commission ’ s recommendations , and working with the commissioners to create a level playing field for all .”
MORE INFO
n To find out more about the work of the commission visit erec . dosomethinggood . org . uk n Read an interview with Lord Woolley at aroundealing . com / news / woolley
Commissioners Callum Anderson and Laura Forrester with Colin Brent , senior youth worker for the council , at Bollo Brook around ealing Winter 2021 33