Shire Hall ‘not institutionally racist’
The leader of Gloucestershire County Council has vowed to treat everyone with resepct
Shire Hall does not believe itself to be institutionally racist and civic chiefs say they will champion efforts to treat everyone with equality and respect.
Questions over Gloucestershire County Council’s (GCC) stance on racism were raised at full council last week.
The council’s Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey said it was unfortunate that racism still exists in 2025.
But she pledged to always champion equality and respect and work will be done to make sure staff feel safe in order to raise any concerns.
She made the comments in response to a public question from Bren McInerney on July 16.
He asked: “Does Gloucestershire County Council believe, or not, that it is institutionally racist. “What evidence and measures does Gloucestershire County Council have to demonstrate it is, is not, institutionally racist.?”
Councillor Spivey (South Cerney) said the council does not believe it is institutionally racist.
In a written response she also referred to the independent review completed in 2024 which concluded there had been institutional racism historically within the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
“The report stated that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was no longer institutionally racist. This conclusion was based on evidence regarding the improving outcomes of recruitment, training and other workforce processes as well as feedback from colleagues from ethnic minorities.
“On the same basis, the council does not believe that GCC is institutionally racist.
“The council takes seriously its responsibilities to be fair and equitable as a workplace and in delivery of its services.
“Measures are in place to continuously improve our decision making and processes including training, positive action for underrepresented groups, comprehensive equality impact assessments, supporting employee networks including the race equality network and an equality, diversity and inclusion board which involves directors, network representatives and directorate representatives overseeing all equality, diversity and inclusion work within the council.”
Mr McInerney said in follow-up questions that a lot of the measures appeared to be internal.
He asked: “How do we know for the people in the community you serve, for black, asian, minority ethnic communities that they don’t feel this?”
Cllr Spivey thanked Mr McInerney for raising the issue which is something her administration and the council take very seriously.
She said she would take the points back and discuss it with officers.
“That work needs to be done by surveys, by speaking to our staff and making sure they feel safe in order to raise those points and also with our partners and the wider community.
“It is an unfortunate situation that collectively we find ourselves in 2025 that racism still exists.
“It really shouldn’t happen. We should be treating everyone with equality and respect.
“That is something I will always champion.”