The Strategic Director of Place will present a report (Document “CU”) asking the Executive to note and comment on the report of an externally led review of statues and monuments across the District, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.  The Executive is asked to approve the recommendations for the next stage of the work, leading to telling a more diverse Story of Bradford District.  

Recommended -

(1)             That the recommendations in section 9 of the Steering Group’s report be accepted:

(a)  Not to remove or move any of the statues and monuments in our public realm, but to better interpret them and provide greater understanding of the role of colonialism in the history of Bradford District through new educational materials, working with local schools and communities, and the Council’s libraries and museum services.  To do this properly, additional funding is required, and we recommend the Council applies to relevant funding bodies for project funds. 

(b)  To ensure every opportunity is taken to recognise and celebrate Black Lives and our diverse communities, strengthening the Council’s co-ordination of Black History Month and other relevant cultural calendar events, ensuring the District’s diverse stories are told.

(c) To ensure that the Council’s policies in relation to commissioning new statues and monuments, for agreeing street names and building names, and any other ways in which the public realm commemorates individuals and communities, is diverse and inclusive.

(d)  To ensure that the Council’s processes for honouring individuals (including the Freedom of the City and other citizen awards) are diverse and inclusive. 

(2)          That the Executive approves this project moving ahead to Phase 2, which will focus on working with local communities to uncover the ‘untold’ stories of diverse people who helped shape the District.

(3)          That opportunities for additional funding be explored to provide for new educational materials, working with local schools and communities, and the Council’s libraries and museum services.

(Regeneration & Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Christine May – 07970 829265)

The Strategic Director of Place presented a report (Document “CU”) requesting the Executive to note and comment on the report of an externally led review of statues and monuments across the District, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.  The Executive was asked to approve the recommendations for the next stage of the work, leading to telling a more diverse story of Bradford District.  An independent external Steering Group was set up to conduct the Review.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder thanked the Chair and the Steering Group on their work in producing the report.  She noted the very rich and diverse history across all communities in the district.  She added that work would be undertaken with communities to tell the diverse story of the history of the district and its people.

The independent Chair of the Steering Group attended the meeting.  He noted the number of people in the district who were of duel heritage and stressed the need for young people to see the valuable contribution that their predecessors had made in the district.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder emphasised that the contributions of all citizens of all backgrounds be highlighted so that young people could recognise themselves and the positive contributions made.

The Leader of the Opposition group thanked the Chair and members of the steering group on their work and noted the unique history of the district and the need to embrace it and learn from it.

Resolved -

(1)             That the recommendations in section 9 of the Steering Group’s report be accepted:

(a)  Not to remove or move any of the statues and monuments in our public realm, but to better interpret them and provide greater understanding of the role of colonialism in the history of Bradford District through new educational materials, working with local schools and communities, and the Council’s libraries and museum services.  To do this properly, additional funding is required, and we recommend the Council applies to relevant funding bodies for project funds. 

(b)  To ensure every opportunity is taken to recognise and celebrate Black Lives and our diverse communities, strengthening the Council’s co-ordination of Black History Month and other relevant cultural calendar events, ensuring the District’s diverse stories are told.

(c) To ensure that the Council’s policies in relation to commissioning new statues and monuments, for agreeing street names and building names, and any other ways in which the public realm commemorates individuals and communities, is diverse and inclusive.

(d)  To ensure that the Council’s processes for honouring individuals (including the Freedom of the City and other citizen awards) are diverse and inclusive. 

(2)          That the Executive approves this project moving ahead to Phase 2, which will focus on working with local communities to uncover the ‘untold’ stories of diverse people who helped shape the District.

(3)           That opportunities for additional funding be explored to provide for new educational materials, working with local schools and communities, and the Council’s libraries and museum services.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

Regeneration & Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee