Decision details

The policy statement and action plan outlines key messages in relation to leadership and accountability, health and wellbeing, community safety, community engagement and partnership working in relation to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT+) community in Barking and Dagenham. It makes high level recommendations that the Council will take forward to support the LGBT+ community in Barking and Dagenham and invites partners to join us in being more responsive to supporting this community locally. The Board will be asked to endorse the policy statement and action plan and engage partners in taking forward the recommendations.

The Council’s Commissioning Director for Adults’ Care and Support presented a report on behalf of the Director for Policy and Participation on the LGTB+ Policy Statement and Action Plan. The Policy Statement was based on a needs assessment, which involved interviews, surveys, and input from community organisations in the Borough. Whilst this provided a good basis for a starting point, the aim was to deepen community engagement so future iterations of the Policy Statement and Action Plan could be more detailed and reflective.

The Cabinet Member for Equalities and Diversity welcomed the Policy Statement and Action Plan and encouraged partners to work together to deliver it. She stated that many members of the LGBT+ community still experienced discrimination, their health and well-being was worse than their fellow citizens, and services were not always suitable for their needs, which was not acceptable.

The Chair emphasised the importance of equality for the LGTB+ community, particularly in light of the murders of young gay men committed in the Borough by Stephan Port and the questions surrounding the handling of the investigation. She hoped that the local Metropolitan Police fully endorsed the Policy Statement and Action Plan. Board members expressed shock at a recent incident, which had been covered in the news, involving two women who were subject to a homophobic attack on a bus in London and stated that this behaviour should not be tolerated.

Members were asked to note that Barking and Dagenham would have a float at Pride London on 6 July 2019 and that partners were encouraged to get involved in the parade.

The Health and Well-being Board agreed to endorse the LGBT+ Policy Statement and Action Plan and associated recommendations and approved the Partnership Equalities Group having oversight of delivery of the recommendations within it.