I am working with Operation Black Vote (OBV) to develop a new programme across Lambeth to give black and minority ethnic citizens a bigger say in how services are designed and delivered.  Under my leadership, Lambeth has already seen one of the biggest increases in diverse representation anywhere in the country.  Now I want to expand that work to make sure that the voice of our minority ethnic population is strengthened ever further.

I held a meeting with OBV’s Chief Executive, Simon Woolley.  We agreed that we would work together along with Lambeth’s lead councillor for inclusion, Lorna Campbell.  The aims of the project are to increase the black population’s awareness of how decisions are made about public services and how those decisions can be influenced.  In particular, I insisted there must be an increase in the number of black and minority ethnic citizens involved in that decision-making.  As well as becoming councillors, that means more black citizens sitting on school governing bodies, on the boards of voluntary organisations and social enterprises, more support for black-led voluntary sector groups, and more black people engaged in service-user groups.  It’s only by giving our black and minority ethnic citizens a stronger voice where decisions are made that we can make sure the needs of those communities are met by the services we deliver. 

This is an opportunity for Lambeth to lead the way nationally.  The project will provide information, training and development to make sure it succeeds.  This is the next step in the programme to make Lambeth truly representative of its diverse population.