Agenda item

To receive an update on the impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. (Report to Follow)

The Chair noted that this was a late report and it had been agreed that the report should be considered as a matter of urgency because the Health and Wellbeing Board was asked to provide its input on this issue as soon as possible. She explained that this issue had been discussed at the Board’s joint meeting with the Community Safety Partnership in September but that it was important to receive regular updates.

Charlotte Pomery, Assistant Director for Commissioning, noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board had met with the Community Safety Partnership in September 2020 and had agreed to track progress on the nine recommendations in relation to racism and racial inequalities made as part of a roundtable meeting of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Organisations in the borough.

It was explained that the report provided an update on work that had been undertaken or planned to addressing racism and racial discrimination in response to the nine recommendations: data and evidence, funding to build resilience, bereavement and mental health, domestic violence, communication and awareness raising, prevention and resilience building, shielding of BAME staff and communities, equitable access to services, and digital exclusion.

In addition to the work noted in detail in the report, it was explained that this formed part of the wider partnership programme and it was sought to produce innovative solutions which were coproduced with partners and communities to result in tangible differences.

Cllr Blake suggested that it would be beneficial to discuss this work with the Regeneration Team who had undertaken a useful evaluation on Haringey Community Gold and how effective working had been achieved with young people and, in particular, BAME young people. He stated that the need for significant change in public bodies was often overlooked and he highlighted that Haringey Community Gold had been crucial for building trust. Cllr Blake added that there were concerns around policing and children; there was a trust deficit between young people, particularly BAME young people, who had been impacted by serious youth violence and the police and it was enquired whether this could be considered.

The Assistant Director for Commissioning noted that discussions were underway with the Regeneration Team in relation to the evaluation of Haringey Community Gold. It was noted that young people were a key focus across the partnership plan and it was acknowledged that building trust was vital. It was explained that the proposed Community Health and Care Advisory Board, which was the next item on the agenda, aimed to build connections and trust through communicating effectively in public health messages. It was added that other work was underway with the Community Safety Partnership to address community policing work.

Sharon Grant, Healthwatch Haringey, noted that one of the recommendations was to increase research and collate local ethnicity data; it was enquired which types of data would be prioritised, who would be undertaking this work, and how it would be funded. The Assistant Director for Commissioning acknowledged that ethnicity data was often monitored in broad categories which could amalgamate important information. It was explained that this was a significant piece of work but that there was an early stage plan and each workstream had areas to investigate. The Chair noted that this would be important to monitor and asked for updates to be presented to future meetings.

RESOLVED

To note the proposals set out in the paper.