Agenda item

Urgent Items

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Mayor pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Leader of Council made two statements as follows:

 

Black Lives Matter

 

The brutal killing of George Floyd on 25 May 2020 has rightly caused an international outcry.

 

I am sure this event will have horrified all members of Council and that you will all join me in condemning what took place.  

 

The killing of George Floyd, the Windrush scandal and other events in our recent history show that despite all of the commitments made to achieve racial equality across society, there remain deep seated attitudes and behaviours towards people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities which simply cannot continue.

 

This is especially stark at the present time when people from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are playing a vital role in the response to the Covid-19 crisis - often on the front line – whilst, worryingly, being disproportionately affected by the disease.

 

I would like to take this opportunity today to initiate a fresh look at how we work with our black, asian and minority ethnic communities in Neath Port Talbot to achieve equality, equity and social cohesion.

 

As elected councillors we must show leadership in bringing about the societal change that is needed and to demonstrate that black lives matter.

 

Incident at Seven Sisters

 

The Leader paid tribute to the emergency services, council staff and members of the community who assisted in the rescue of a mother and her two children from their home following the devastating gas explosion in Seven Sisters.

 

This was seconded by the ward member for the area.