Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement presented the draft Cohesion and Integration Strategy “No one left behind: we all belong”, which reflected the vision set out in the Borough Manifesto and the Council’s direction of travel in relation to participation and engagement, inclusive growth and prevention, independence and resilience.

The Cabinet Member commented on the history of the Borough and the steps taken by the Council, particularly over the past 4-5 years, to reconnect with the local community.  Over 3,000 local residents had contributed to the development of the Borough Manifesto and a wide range of initiatives had been implemented since its adoption in 2017, such as the Summer of Festivals events, the Good Neighbour Guide and events to recognise national days and memorials.

The Cabinet Member referred to the three main themes and associated priorities that would underpin the delivery of the overall vision, which were:

1.  Relationships and culture:

·  Priority 1: To increase the opportunities for people from different backgrounds to meet and interact;

·  Priority 2: To celebrate our culture, heritage and cultural diversity.

2.  Inclusion and participation:

·  Priority 3: To help all residents integrate in our community;

·  Priority 4: To listen better.

3.  Equality of opportunities:

·  Priority 5: To create new and better jobs accessible to all and ensure a fair distribution of the benefits of regeneration.

Cabinet Members spoke in strong support of the Strategy and the wide range of practical ways of bringing people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures together.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the “No one left behind: we all belong - A Cohesion and Integration Strategy for Barking and Dagenham”, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and

(ii)  Note the proposed approach to cohesion, including the socio-cultural, political and economic themes, and associated priorities and actions.