Attack on race policies

The London borough where Damilola Taylor was murdered has been severely reprimanded by the man it appointed to carry out an inquiry into its race policies.

Lord Ouseley has concluded that Southwark council "has much to do, on a continuing basis, in building trust and confidence" with the black communities which make up 40 per cent of its population.

"The council has to accept that some people have been treated badly and their situations require resolution," Lord Ouseley said, having heard evidence from people whose businesses and lives have been ruined and who blame the council for their predicament.

In a report, to be published today following lengthy public hearings, Lord Ouseley acknowledges that the council's "equality and diversity" policies are sound in principle. However he found a wide gap between policy and practice, and identified serious mistakes.

Lord Ouseley recommends councillors and senior officers receive compulsory training and coaching in "equality and diversity competence", which should be "an essential requirement for all staff and members of the council for job vacancies, promotion and as part of all performance appraisal arrangements".

He said: "The council must act and make its actions known to convince the public that such mistakes or weaknesses will be eliminated." He found education in Southwark was unsatisfactory with many young people vulnerable to unemployment, anti-social behaviour and crime.